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Post by ChipperChapman1090 on May 19, 2013 22:43:41 GMT -4
Nhra has released a revision that states 69 camaro with 255hp 350 can no longer use cowl induction hoods in stock and super stock. Must use flat hood.
Strange that they changed this after 44 years. And any where I have searched it's claimed that any V8 69 camaro could be ordered with a cowl hood.
I believe this will effect Rick Wilson's car won't it?
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Post by Don @ Maritime Drag Racing on May 20, 2013 7:18:53 GMT -4
That is the stupidest thing that NHRA has done in a long while. What the hell was their reasoning behind that decision?
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Post by Jeremy on May 20, 2013 7:21:24 GMT -4
I believe Rick switched to the 300hp combo a couple years ago. But if he switches back to the 255hp combo, he'll have to look for one of those flat hoods that are popular in the ClassRacer classified section now..
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Post by Jeff Kempton on May 20, 2013 8:25:10 GMT -4
Jeremy is correct; Rick Wilson runs the 300HP combo and will not have to change his hood unless he switches back to the 255HP combo.
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Post by Jeff Kempton on May 20, 2013 11:54:25 GMT -4
And any where I have searched it's claimed that any V8 69 camaro could be ordered with a cowl hood. That is the stupidest thing that NHRA has done in a long while. What the hell was their reasoning behind that decision? The ZL/2 hood option was not available on all '69 Camaros with a V-8. Here is how Camaro expert Jerry McNeish explains it in his book; "The Definitive 1969 Camaro Z/28-SS396 Fact Book", a must read for anyone with an interest in these cars. "In December 1968, the ZL/2 special ducted hood became available (as an option) on SS and Z/28 models. The ZL/2 hood was standard equipment on Z/11 Pace Cars, ZL/1s, and L/72 427 Camaros." As the only small block versions on that list other than the Z/28 were SS models which used only the 350cid/300HP engine, a 255HP engine could not be had with a cowl hood. The plus side is that with all the street cars installing cowl hoods there are still plenty of flat hoods out there, and flat hoods are lighter than the cowl hood and air cleaner, solenoid, flapper, etc. As far as why they'd do this now, my guess is that someone else with another car model had a problem in Tech and lodged a protest that went something like "You're making me change hoods on my car yet there's all those Camaros out there running illegal hoods too?" The right amount of noise to the right people in NHRA and someone likely ordered it to be looked into, and the result is this rule clarification. My guess is that it's related to the stink raised recently regarding a factory fresh air hood on a 289 Comet in Super Stock. That hood was considered by many racers to be incorrect for that model, and some were quite vocal about it. While I don't like the timing of this development because of the inconvenience/cost to some racers, I do think that it's legit. Racers can't have it both ways: They can't gripe about NHRA not enforcing the rules and then be upset when NHRA does fix an error, even if it took years to do so. This along with the recent reversal of the allowance of "dealer installed" AMC engine parts and the ongoing Hemi head saga (poorly handled) indicates a new willingness by NHRA to try to put the Genie back in the bottle with respect to rule issues. I just hope that if they continue to try to reign in things that have gotten out of hand, they'll try to do it in a more credible and timely manner. |
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Post by ss1212 on May 20, 2013 12:38:31 GMT -4
STILL HAVE THE FLAT HOOD
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Post by Jeff Kempton on May 20, 2013 13:12:46 GMT -4
There ya go Rick; it always pays to keep all options open! Good to know that if you decide to switch back to the 255 horse combo at some point it won't require a search for a hood. |
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Post by ChipperChapman1090 on May 22, 2013 2:26:45 GMT -4
What I had found was that by late production 69, all were available with cowl hood, and it had been rumored the a few 6 cyl cars were even ordered with it. I'm no first gen guru like Jerry M, but it just sparked some interest for me
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Post by Jeff Kempton on May 22, 2013 13:33:48 GMT -4
What I had found was that by late production 69, all were available with cowl hood, and it had been rumored the a few 6 cyl cars were even ordered with it. I'm no first gen guru like Jerry M, but it just sparked some interest for me Where did you "find" that Chris? I think that's just an urban myth. Keep in mind that the ZL/2 hood option would have come complete with a special air cleaner assembly and all the related hardware, and those pieces were only built for the 4 barrel V-8s. Therefore it couldn't be had on Camaros with 6 cylinders or those with the entry level 327 (early) and 307 (late) V-8s which came with 2 barrels. That leaves the 350/255 as the only engine combo that conceivably could have a cowl hood other than the ones already listed above. While it's always possible that a savvy buyer or a connected dealer could have ordered a 350/255 equipped that way, the official documents and expert opinions don't support that being the case, and that's what counts unless a documented example surfaces to prove them wrong. As far as class racing goes it's a moot point now, as NHRA has made their position known, and I expect that IHRA will follow suit. |
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Post by ChipperChapman1090 on May 22, 2013 23:39:21 GMT -4
Yeah it was no for sure source that stated that, but a few "old dealership guys" that replied to a thread started by the fletch on a another site, and on a couple other boards. People seem to be forgetting the RS option, with the slighty domed hood, available on even 307 cars. No fresh air, but one of those hoods picked dad's 67 up a little over a tenth back in the 90's. A little extra room never hurts!
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