Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race

[sixtiesmuscle]

Re: the availability of taller gears in L71, etc. vettes, could the engineers have been afraid of the massive torque ripping the axles apart? My experience has been that the Corvette rear end wouldn't stand up to the same stresses that a 12 bolt will. It could have been strictly a warranty issue. For instance, Pontiac wouldn't offer a solid lifter car for street use,i.e., with a warranty, if my memory serves me. This was because they didn't want the added liability .

[JoeC]

The only reason I can think of that they offered no higher then 3:36 ratio is because of potential TH400 trans oil temp. problems. There was some problems with overheating with the 68 Corvette big blocks and some changes were made in 1969 but engineering may have felt the increased trans RPM with a 4:11 ratio would have caused high temps. in the trans oil cooler thus in the radiator. While the Corvette slanted radiator was good for bouncing a radar signal, it may not have worked as well as the Camaro/Chevelle set-up that did use the TH400 with the 4:10 ratio. Just guessing here.

[bowtie3168]

I wanted to contribute to this conversation, I feel that this is a important topic. When I went to the reunion, Ray Morrison and I discussed "The Pure Stock Drags". Let me start out by saying that I think that the idea of the race is GREAT! There are not many opportunities such as this for everyone to get together and race like this. The people who put on the event should be commended for their effort.On the topic of "clone" cars, I feel that they do belong as long as they are true clone cars. What I mean is, the clones should have proper documentation and display proof of their existence. I think that "clone cars" can be good in the way that if you were to wreck a clone you would not be destoying a piece of valuable history. To the best of my knowledge no Chevrolet "factory" drag racer had a L89 Nova. Dick Harrell, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Malcolm Durham, none of them raced a aluminum headed Nova. Don't you think that they would have raced them if they were produced by Chevrolet Motor Division? I know that the claim is that there were only a handful built and that NHRA and AHRA have minimum numbers that are required to meet to qualify (Chevrolet have to produce 50 L78 Turbo-Hydro cars to meet this requirement for example). I feel that you should be able to build a clone car if you can produce the real car or crediable paper work that everyone agrees with. As for the 1968-1969 L89 question, I have two friends who both own L89 optioned cars, one has a 1969 SS396 Camaro, and the other is (I believe) a 1968 Corvette that also happens to be a tri-power car. Both cars are original (if you can believe it)! So I think that the owners argument could be that 68-69 were both "aluminum head years". I feel that the person builds a clone car should have to prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) that the car was made. Grey area should be addressed properly. There should be no question about a cars existance, if there is the car should not run. I would also like to say that this problem should not keep anyone from participating in the event! If you have a problem you owe it to everyone to correct it!

Thanks,
Andrew

[Kurt S]

Bowtie3168,
There is now a registry for the 69 L89 Camaros. I can dig out the contact info for the keepers of it. I'd also be interested in some info on the car and I could forward the data on. [email protected] CRG

Thanks.
Kurt

[Rowdy Rat]

Joe,

That's the most reasonable theory I've heard to date on the gear ratio topic. I'm going to do a little research along that line of thinking and see what turns up.

sixtiesmuscle,

I'm not sure that I'd go along with the rear axle ratio restrictions being due entirely to the durability of the differential (I do agree that it wasn't nearly as strong as a 12 bolt). If anything, the automatic transmission would be a bit easier on parts than a manual transmission. Considering the Corvette's F70 x 15 tires and independent rear suspension, you'd have a tough time getting the car to launch hard enough to grenade the differential (although I wouldn't rule out a half shaft u-joint or two!).

Rob,

Can't wait to hear what Corvette plans you have for next year's event!

Regards,

Stan

[sYc]

Gentlemen; I am trying to understand some the previous posts. Anytime in the past when the mention of clones/fakes came up on this forum, the majority of people were against them, for many reasons. But now I am reading where it is OK to race one. Why is racing any different then the Supercar Reunion, Super Chevy Shows, the Camaro or Chevelle Nats, etc. How long before we see cloned Yenkos at the PSMC drags, as there are already cloned Gibb cars. What will the reaction be when MCR magazine or Speed Vision film a clone over a "real" car? It has happened at other events (ask Brian). It has been brought up about the value of the Supercars, I agree this is a concern. I think about it every time we race our Yenko Camaro. But, that is what so special about these cars. One of the best parts of the Supercar Reunion is watching these rare cars drive from the hotel to the trade center. I would rather see Brian drive his L-88 Yenko Camaro this short distance then see 50 clone L-89 Novas race. Who can forget the sound of a true Phase III Vette fire up, or the L-88 Motion Vette, Mark T. in his B-M Camaro, all of the Yenkos doing burnouts on the street. What about Greg's '67 Yenko getting sideways at the track this year, no way does a souped up L-78 Camaro compare with this. Ask anyone who was at the Gibb reunion what they remember most and it will be the rare supercars doing burnouts on the main drag of LaHarpe. Yes, I would hate to see one of these rare cars damaged, such as Ray's. But, if we do not take a few chances with our cars in public, then we are opening the door for the clones/fakes to replace us, and they will. People/media want to see them, either real or fake. It does not have to be "hard" passes, major burnouts, etc. A soft pass by Mark Hassett in his Zl-1 or Mike Riley in his Berger Camaro is way better then any "built" car running in the 12s. Is not that what these cars were built for in the beginning??? Sorry if I stepped on some toes, but that is how I feel. Bring on the REAL Supercars, not clones. Tom

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Tom;
I'll go along with that!
M