TWISTED FISH - SS/AH Build Pixs

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sscuda

sscuda

The best there is, the best there ever will be.
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OK - here are the pixs you guys asked for!!

These were taken March -'09

I hope they take this time.

Al Dingman 002.jpg

Al Dingman 003.jpg

Al Dingman 004.jpg

Al Dingman 006.jpg

Al Dingman 007.jpg

Al Dingman 008.jpg

Al Dingman 010.jpg

Al Dingman 011.jpg

Al Dingman 014.jpg

Al Dingman 017.jpg

More to come Saturday.

Regards,
Al

Al Dingman 002.jpg


Al Dingman 003.jpg


Al Dingman 004.jpg


Al Dingman 006.jpg


Al Dingman 007.jpg


Al Dingman 008.jpg


Al Dingman 010.jpg


Al Dingman 011.jpg


Al Dingman 014.jpg


Al Dingman 017.jpg
 
All,

Please see attached he latest pix.

Pardon the dust the car wasn't cleaned before the pictures were taken.

The steering column is finished.

The tin work is complete.

The seats are installed.

The rear end housing is ready for the 4 link hardware and assembly.


I still have a lot to do but will work on it nightly to get it ready for the drivetrain.

Cuda006.jpg

Cuda007.jpg

Cuda014.jpg

Cuda015.jpg

Cuda017.jpg

Cuda018.jpg

Cuda020.jpg

Cuda021.jpg

Enjoy,

Regards,
Al

Cuda006.jpg


Cuda007.jpg


Cuda014.jpg


Cuda015.jpg


Cuda017.jpg


Cuda018.jpg


Cuda020.jpg


Cuda021.jpg
 
Does this body/Chassis meet all NHRA requirements for SS/AH. Does NHRA publish a specific book that outlines the rules and regulations for the class SS/AH or SS/AA? If so what's the best way to get it? Who did the chassis work?
 
Excellent welding and fabrication.
Pat
 
To 1968AH

To answer your question, yes.

NHRA publishes chassis specs (rules) for SS. Contact them. You will have to purchase the rule book.

There are two books available that also detail a SS/AH build. I bought mine from Mancini Racing.

This chassis is certified to 7.50 specs.

The chassis work was performed at Mailloux Chassis, Belle River, ON, Canada. Andre has many years experience building certified chassis. His work is impeccable.

I still have a bunch of work to do to it over the winter to get it ready for the drive-train.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Al
 
Nice job.

Gonna ask a stupid question here, please don't take offense: are you gunning for the big dogs?

What do you need to run to get into the show these days?
 
To rmchrgr,

There are no stupid questions.

It depends on which "big dogs" you're talking about. Charlie Jr. and Sr. own the NHRA SS/AH class. They have found an engine mod or mods that no other has or is able to duplicate. My hats off to them. Charlie Jr ran an 8.491 with a brand new car last weekend. To compete with those two is a waste of my time and a whole bunch of money, besides my engine builder (FHO) isn't interested in NHRA or IHRA class racing.

This is my last race car and I'm doing it up right. I want to "successfully compete" in the CC Events - Hemi Shootout Series and maybe a few local nostalgia S/S events. There are several "big dogs" over there in the CC Events - Hemi Shootout Series that I would like to test myself against. I consider them as very good competitors. If I happen to win an event I'm OK with that. If not, I'm having fun anyway. For me it's all about the enjoyment and meeting new friends.

To get into the "show" I assume you mean NHRA SS/AH. You need about $1M + to be competitive, a certified car, and very understanding wife. The loose breakdown is as follows: $500K for the outfitted transporter, $150K for the legal car, $350K for spares/expenses/breakage (on a yearly basis). FYI - A "competitive " legal SS/AH Hemi motor will run around $60K. A competitive transmission will run about $10K. Both have a very short life expectancy. Expect to run through several motors and transmissions a year. And for all this money spent you might win $10 - $15 K a year, if Charlie or his dad redlight.

I hope this answers your questions.

Regards,
Al
 
maybe this is a standard deal, but in my offroad related rollcage world people use different thicknesses of tube for the cage. what thickness is that which you are using? there sure is a lot of it!
 
sscuda said:
To rmchrgr,

There are no stupid questions.

It depends on which "big dogs" you're talking about. Charlie Jr. and Sr. own the NHRA SS/AH class. They have found an engine mod or mods that no other has or is able to duplicate. My hats off to them. Charlie Jr ran an 8.491 with a brand new car last weekend. To compete with those two is a waste of my time and a whole bunch of money, besides my engine builder (FHO) isn't interested in NHRA or IHRA class racing.

This is my last race car and I'm doing it up right. I want to "successfully compete" in the CC Events - Hemi Shootout Series and maybe a few local nostalgia S/S events. There are several "big dogs" over there in the CC Events - Hemi Shootout Series that I would like to test myself against. I consider them as very good competitors. If I happen to win an event I'm OK with that. If not, I'm having fun anyway. For me it's all about the enjoyment and meeting new friends.

To get into the "show" I assume you mean NHRA SS/AH. You need about $1M + to be competitive, a certified car, and very understanding wife. The loose breakdown is as follows: $500K for the outfitted transporter, $150K for the legal car, $350K for spares/expenses/breakage (on a yearly basis). FYI - A "competitive " legal SS/AH Hemi motor will run around $60K. A competitive transmission will run about $10K. Both have a very short life expectancy. Expect to run through several motors and transmissions a year. And for all this money spent you might win $10 - $15 K a year, if Charlie or his dad redlight.

I hope this answers your questions.

Regards,
Al
Click to expand...

That's kinda what I was asking. CW is in a class by himself, no one really seems poised to knock him off any time soon. It will be fun to see how far he can take it. I don't think anyone dreamed these cars would EVER be this fast. Mind blowing. And they keep going faster, seems like .1 every year.

Funny how the transporter and spares are more expensive than the entire car and engine program.

Sounds like you know where you're at. Hope you get to where you want to be!
 
happster,

I'm not up to speed on "off road rollcages" therefore I can't comment on what's standard pipe wall thickness and what's not. In my opinion you can't have enough protection when you're rolling down a hill or upside down @ 160+ mph.

My "pipe" is .083 wall thickness moly tube.

If I was to use CRS steel tubing I would require a .134 wall thickness to be NHRA or IHRA SS legal. The reason for the thicker wall thickness is inconsistent wall thickness with the CRS material. The CRS steel is also much heavier which is in most instances not good for drag race vehicles.

The cage and back half is built to NHRA legal 7.50 specs. That means I can run as quick as 7.50 secs without the tech inspectors having an "issue" with the car. I doubt I'll ever see 7.50 secs but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead.

Yes, there's a lot of tubing (refer to paragraph above). I've had a few close calls over the last 40+ years racing and haven't been hurt because I've always "overbuilt" my cars. Please remember that when you are building your own vehicle.

Regards,
Al
 
rmchrgr

In SS/AH racing "he who has the most $$$, wins". The drywall distribution business has been very good to CW Jr and Sr. The W's have spent a ton of money to skirt around the rules and come up with valve train geometry that actually works. You'd think with this much money & effort spent CW should be running in Pro Stock.

Have you seen a Pro transporter? If not check one out. Elite Motorsports have quite a few for sale. And while your at it price out a top-shelf motorhome. I left that one out of my previous post. Big Bucks!!!!

I know where I'm at. I'm just out having fun and meeting nice people. That's good enough for me. This weekend I'm headed for Norwalk to cheer on my friends. Hopefully next year I'm competing with them.

Regards,
Al
 
thanks for the info, i'm a big fan of overbuilding things myself. i was jsut curious about what yours was made out of and its thickness. a lot of offroad guys who aren't going high speed and stuff seem to run .120 wall DOM steel for the cages/rollbars, that's just why i asked! looks like an awesome project!
 
Great post Al and thanks for sharing. Sounds like you really know your stuff and have a great plan laid out. Best of luck with the build and can't wait to see it run at the track.:cheers:


Derrick
 
How helpful were the Mancini books with the construction of the racecar? It looks like you modified the rear wheel well? How much wider is it? Does NHRA except this as legal? Also, are you putting the stock windows back in it?
 
1968AH said:
How helpful were the Mancini books with the construction of the racecar? It looks like you modified the rear wheel well? How much wider is it? Does NHRA except this as legal? Also, are you putting the stock windows back in it?
Click to expand...

1968AH

The wheel openings are "stretched" 5 inches and yes they are legal. It's tough getting 32 inch tall tires through a 27 inch opening and the sanctioning bodies recognize this.

The SS/AH books were helpful when fabricating some of the pieces needed to assemble the car. FYI - Both books were printed about 2004 so they are a little out of date as far as the chassis fabrication and improvements are concerned. I had to rely on my chassis builder for the updated chassis modifications and new parts available out there.. Andre stays current with all the latest tricks and knows what he can get away with and what he can't.

The front and back windows will be reused after a light polishing with some jewellers rouge to eliminate some of the light scratches and stone chips. The side windows, $ permitting will get the repo Dow Corning "thin" glass similar to the original SS cars. I'm also going to use the straps & snaps on the driver and passenger glass, as used on the original SS cars.


I hope this answers your questions.

Take care

Regards,
Al
 
I know this is a rather old post but by chance do you have more pictures of the build? I am building a Dart close to the SS/AH chassis, was going to see if Id be able to see more to get an idea of what I need to do. Thank you!

Justin
 
Justin Smith said:
I know this is a rather old post but by chance do you have more pictures of the build? I am building a Dart close to the SS/AH chassis, was going to see if Id be able to see more to get an idea of what I need to do. Thank you!

Justin
Click to expand...


Justin, I sold this car (my 3rd Cuda 25.5 build) a couple of years ago but I do have an extensive photo collection I could share. PM me with your email address and a list of areas on these cars you'd like to see. I also suggest you purchase the SFI 25.5 chassis booklet online ($25.00) , it'll help with any details you might miss.
 
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