Newbie with 1954 Studebaker - which class is best bang for the buck?

[dw230]

Within the Classic Category there are 7 available classes which allow an F engine(3 liter). There are no records listed which means they are open, two laps will give you a record at Bonneville. That is some low hanging fruit right there.

The Toyota 2JZ is your friend in this area. One caveat - no EFI, etc. allowed. You need a rule book.

DW

[Stan Back]

Good advice from the Midget and DW.

"engine's ability TO PRODUCE horsepower in the 8-9K range" -- I got it.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

My oft-repeated line comes in play here:

Buy three rule books.  You'll get one for the coffee table, one for the shop, and one for the back of the toilet.

Sure, it sounds silly -- but really, having the book available everyplace will be a good thing.  Lay off the cheese, though. . .  No need to take it to the ridiculous level.

[mtkawboy]

Talk to Doug Grieve & Frank Morris the "Salt Cat" guys about the multiplyer for what you think it will cost and what it actually costs to run a certain class 

[GD]

Chop the top, throw in a flathead and run XF/GCC. As far as I know I am the only other guy currently running a flathead in a Studebaker.

[Milwaukee Midget]

MM said:  "... horsepower in the 8-9 K range.  "

Perhaps you mean in the 8-9k RPM range.  8-9k HP would be quite the trick - 'specially getting it to last past the two mile or so. . .

"engine's ability TO PRODUCE horsepower in the 8-9K range" -- I got it.

We've had a cold snap here in the upper Midwest, so I think it's time for me to buy Slim another ice scraper for his computer screen . . . although it is fun pitting the two best editors on the forum against each other . . . 

[Stainless1]

It is possible that a NHRA 12 point may not meet the SCTA requirements.... but I don't know what the NHRA requires.  It is possible if you are running in a 2 liter or smaller class and the record is under 175... the problem is as soon as the first guy, including you, goes 175 you are obsolete and need a 1 5/8 X .120 wall cage. 
Generally Drag and LSR requirements are a bit at odds.  LSR likes heavy, drags not so much. 
You will have to take my word for it... you want the largest tube, thickest wall, heaviest duty cage you can build in your car...
Oh... get a rule book   

[bearingburner]

I don't know where you a located but you can run 135MPH at Loring ME with a minimum of safety equipment (belts and helmet) Same with ECTA if they and find a new place to run. On LSR cars distance from helmet to roll cage is maximum 2"
per side not width of hand

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Tangent:  2" TOTAL (total of left and right) or 2" per side?  So much easier on a bike.

[jacksoni]

Rule 3.A.3- 2" PER SIDE. Plus rule 3.C seat padding 2" max and though it is not specified, it also must be SFI padding as the side and other roll cage padding. Above helmet to front bar is 3" minimum. Also, side support must extend at least to the front of the helmet.

[Speed Limit 1000]

You will have to take my word for it... you want the largest tube, thickest wall, heaviest duty cage you can build in your car...
Oh... get a rule book   

Once you survive a very nasty crash, the cage specs are looked at as the minimum you should run with.

John

[PackardV8]

Random thoughts:

1. The learning curve for newbies is pretty steep.  Some very well-built cars have towed a long way and didn't pass tech.   A few years back, a beautiful hemi-powered Stude coupe came all the way from Quebec and had to sit out the meet.

2. As mentioned, I love the Bourke-designed Studebaker coupe/hardtop as much as any man can, but they're not really a good choice for anyone making a serious record try.  They're beautiful, just push too much wind.  The Monza, Gen3 F-body, Porsche 924/944, RX7, any number of more recent cars will be faster with the same horsepower.

3. Consider buying a roller or a ready-to-run car with a log book.  That's the most cost-effective way to get seat time.
 
4. There's a team already ahead of you there.  The Salt2Salt team runs a Stude coupe and builds engines aimed at soft records.  Their latest effort was a 183" Studebaker V8.   Greg reports they encountered a few problems and there’s still more to do to get this particular engine running at its top speed, even so, they were still able to set two records in their class; F/CGALT at 131.593. They hurt the engine, but still got another easy target, with Bob Waitz in F/CFALT at 113.998 mph.

5. Whichever way you decide to go, figure it's going to take a couple of years longer and cost 3X as much as your worst guess and then the meet will be rained out.

6. If you ever get to run, it will all be worth it.

jack viens

[floydjer]

MM said:  "... horsepower in the 8-9 K range.  "

Perhaps you mean in the 8-9k RPM range.  8-9k HP would be quite the trick - 'specially getting it to last past the two mile or so. . .

Odd...I read that as 8-9,000 horsepower...which seems to be ample..............

[jacksoni]

MM said:  "... horsepower in the 8-9 K range.  "

Perhaps you mean in the 8-9k RPM range.  8-9k HP would be quite the trick - 'specially getting it to last past the two mile or so. . .

Odd...I read that as 8-9,000 horsepower...which seems to be ample..............

'Specially in a Midget. 

[floydjer]

turbo`d Chevy six...