This Is The New NHRA Pro Stock Induction System For 2016. Are They Doing It Wrong?


This Is The New NHRA Pro Stock Induction System For 2016. Are They Doing It Wrong?

This is how most NHRA Pro Stock teams are going to be handling their induction systems for 2016, since they are now converting to EFI, but could they be leaving things on the table? Are they thinking inside the box instead of outside the box? According to the NHRA rules, there are requirements to use certain components, including the Holley 112-123 Pro Stock Throttle Body and K&N supplied NHRA Pro Stock Intake System #100-8522 which consists of adapters, couplers, ducting, and an airbox. These parts must be used, and the location from which the K&N system pulls air is very carefully controlled via measurements. RJ Race Cars is the official supplier of the templates that will be used to lay out openings to the air box on all the cars as well, so teams can make one measurement and then trace it out and cut it. But, the rules are very specific with regards to throttle body location as well. And by specific, I mean they leave it all up to you with two exceptions. The Holley throttle body must be forward facing, and it must remain in the engine compartment. That’s it. So is this short running intake seen in the photo above really the right way to go?

Here is what intake manifolds have looked like on Pro Stock for the past several years. Keep in mind, the inside of them looks very different in some cases that you would expect. Shaping, textures, and much more are going on inside.

Pro Stock Intake

Let me say that I’m NOT an intake manifold design specialist. I hold no degree in fluid dynamics, or engineering of any kind. With that said, I have a fair amount of experience with what is going on inside an intake manifold, and it goes way way way beyond air flowing through an orifice and down into the cylinder. Reversion, at multiple levels and multiple times during each cycle of the engine means that changes in one area of an intake can have dramatic effects on other areas. And adding air flow DOES NOT ALWAYS MAKE MORE POWER.

The intake manifold designs that have been developed and used for NHRA Pro Stock competition for the past few decades have a long runner and big plenum with two Holley Dominators hanging out over the top of them. Teams have been turning Pro Stock engines more and more RPM for years in an effort to put more power to the ground and intake manifold design has followed to be most efficient at those RPM levels. Part of the new change to EFI is also a lower RPM limit that has been mandated by NHRA. At 10,500 RPM it doesn’t sound very low for 500 cubic inches, but compared to the 12,000 plus that teams were running it can be a considerable difference. But, is it low enough to make having this short running intake manifold with a relatively small plenum work? I don’t know, but I question it.

I’ve spoken with a few intake manifold, EFI, and throttle body specialists about what is going on with this traditional short EFI style intake manifold. All agreed that it was worth testing other designs in order to determine what is going to be most effective for these now fuel injected 500 cubic power plants. But the biggest concern with getting creative is packaging. Specifically the lower hood line which means less room above the engine. At PRI we talked to Rick Jones, who was incredibly gracious and open about how things are fitting in the front of the engine compartment on these cars now, and he indicated that his first concern was figuring out how much room you really have for a particular package and then trying stuff out from there. Rick didn’t seem to be concerned about getting enough air into the induction system, and felt that there would be plenty of air trying to cram its way into the engine from the front mounted inlet, but he did have concerns about air inlet temps because these dry intake manifolds will not have any of the benefit of fluid being suspended in the air charge to help cool it. This is because the injectors are right at the bottom of the runner, aiming at the valve, as mandated by NHRA.

A dry intake is very different than a wet one. The air inside is lighter because it has no fuel suspended in it. It’s hotter because it has no fuel suspended it int, and all those things effect how it behaves inside the intake manifold.

While there were plenty of bench racing ideas, and theories on what the results would be of each, until someone starts testing it who knows. I can say that some of our contacts inside Holley raised their eyebrows when I brought this up to them and then laughed saying that I was the only one who had actually mentioned trying something else. All of the people we talked to were interested in testing as many things as possible, but there certainly aren’t that many days before these cars need to be going down the track in competition.

Have you ever seen a pair of Bassett Twisty headers before? They are for boats. And they look like this.

Bassett Twisty Headers

Imagine an intake manifold that used runnings with some twist and a bigger plenum, or that crossed each other under the plenum and…

You see where I’m going here right? I have thought of 4 different intake manifold designs, with dozens of variations of each, that could technically fit under the hood and inside the engine compartment of these cars. I want to see some teams testing some weird stuff! I want to see Pro Stock pushing the developmental envelope!

I’m a huge Pro Stock fan, and always have been, but if the change to EFI only shrinks the box that these guys are used to thinking in, I’m afraid boring is what we are in for. Plus, with NHRA’s new rule that all teams must back their cars in so everyone can see the engine, and that the intake cannot be shrouded or covered, why not make the thing so complicated nobody can tell what you are doing from the outside!

And won’t the attention be great for your sponsors? I’d build several different styles that all looked different but made the same power and then swap them out like underwear just to keep the competition wondering and the controversy flowing. There is no better way to get talked about on TV than by causing a stir and winning races.

What do you think?

Here are the requirements set forth by NHRA’s rules and images of the new K&N System

Requirements as set forth by NHRA

• Throttle Body:

o Holley part number 112-123 mandatory (25 sq. inches)

o Must be mounted forward facing and remain in the engine compartment

• Air Intake:

o K&N supplied NHRA Pro Stock Intake System (Part Number 100-8522) mandatory.

This system consists of the following assemblies:  Throttle Body Adapter part number 088049  Coupler; Pro Stock Intake Small part number 08665  Intake Duct; Pro Stock part number 05875  Coupler; Pro Stock Intake Large part number 08641  Intake Airbox; Pro Stock part number 05876

NHRA K&N Pro Stock Air Induction System


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69 thoughts on “This Is The New NHRA Pro Stock Induction System For 2016. Are They Doing It Wrong?

  1. Richard Arbiso

    I’m with you! Most all the pro stock teams have engineering backrounds that use their skills to find different ways make the most horsepower! If they are limited to what those IDIOTS at nhra says they have to do whats the use in using their skills to do the same thing as everybody else! Let the pro stock guys do what ever they can think up for their air induction and fuel injection setup as long as it fits under their so called flat hoods! THAT would make things interesting I believe

    1. Stephen Oglesby

      Here’s my take on NHRA Pro Stock…..the induction system will have very little if anything to do with the popularity of the class.
      #1 problem the racing is boring, NHRA has the Pro Stock so uniform and restricted through the rules that all the races look pretty much the same, one car edging out another by inches. They need to free things up a bit and let them be more like the Pro Mod guys in that aspect…….
      #2 make the cars more stock appearing, they’ve morphed into something that most fans barely recognize. NASCAR has the same problem and my take on getting this class and the folks over at NASCAR the recognition they need from the racing community is getting back to building the cars from REAL cars using the floor pans, roof, trunk lid, hood, quarter panels and doors from a real production car, modifying them only when necessary to accommodate tires, motor components, trans tunnels, etc.
      #3 In my view they need to get back into the old frame of mind of the relationship that used to go on between the racing sanctioning bodies and the auto MFG’s ” Race on Sunday, sell on Monday” promote a car that looks as close to the real deal as possible and heat up the brand battles again while they are at it………..The old Ford/Chevy/ Dodge battles from back in the day using a car that appears to be more like Pro Stock from the old days, more of a Super Stock look……again something the general public can grasp on to in their minds that looks as close to what they drive on the street as possible………..not this bloated banana aero crap they are running today………..my two cents and sorry I rambled but I’ve been needing to get this off my chest for a while…………

      1. Marc Eversley

        You are absolutely right my friend.they do need to make the cars look like cars again and bring back the brand wars each one of the big three have the car’s to do it the mustang challenger and the camaro they can still keep there 500 cubic inch motors each from the proper manufacturers then we will once again have real pro stocks we already have pro mods with there areo bodies why is that so hard for them to understand seems like more speed by any means got the best of the rule book the fans want to see real pro stock cars back win on Sunday sell on Monday that was working just fine the big three brought these cars back to the showrooms so pro stock should respond in kind.

      2. carlos j suarez

        i agree allthe cars are shaped the same. i like when you look at a car and can tell the make. today you need to read the make decal.

    2. Greg

      To me all the changes take away from the class nhra says that its all about making the cars look more like factory and more action on the track, The shorter wheelie bars are going to make the cars make a bigger wheelie and harder to control,It you go more that six in hight wheelie your going up not so much foward.the flat hood to make it look more stock witch is BS that was one of the things about the pro stock cars that made them look good the big hood scoop now they look like a pro mod/ street car and as far as the fuel injection its also BS now its all.controlled by the computer and the cost i herd $20.000.00 might get you set up. I also think when NHRA eliminated the pro stock truck class was another mistake. Whats next mufflers on top fuel and funny car

  2. keezling

    I don’t care for cookie cutter racing, ‘guess I’ll add prostock to the list of what I no longer follow behind TF & FC. Long live nostalgia races!!!

  3. Ron Bikacsan

    …and NHRA continues to choke the creativity that made drag racing exciting. Cookie-cutter racers are boring. Period. Nostalgia (which NHRA is slowly trying to “rule” to death) racing and “run whatcha brung” racing are the spirit of what drag racing is all about: Innovation.

    1. Terry McCann

      ive always said they need a couple of GIANT Alcohol Carbs on these pro stock cars make them really Hammer when they idle and rev. they can run 38 to 40 degrees of timing in them with Alcohol too. the 10,500 rev limiter is real stupid I know Bo Butner was shifting at 11,300 rpm. anyway il keep watching since I have been since 1974

  4. Alika80

    Yes, they’re doing it wrong and yes I do think this looks terrible. IMHO, the NHRA has already set the guidelines as far as equipment goes. Spec TB, Spec injectors, Spec ECU. Let the teams come up with their own induction systems, as long as there is no hood scoop. Shit, the simplest thing would be to mount the intake manifold backwards and get air from the cowl. I’d also like to see what the teams would come up with if given more freedom. Maybe an air box with four throttle bodies in it? I didn’t see a limit on how many throttle bodies could be used, lol.

    It does seem to be working a little bit. I don’t think I’ve googled Pro Stock this much in years. I cannot wait to see if this elephant trunk will make it to the starting line, or what else the teams come up with. Aloha BangShift!

  5. jeff

    This is why NHRA is suffering. This is why no-prep races, grudge races, and street racing is so popular. And yeah, you all can bitch and whine about the dangers of street racing…but you can\’t overlook the appeal. More and more the sanctioning bodies are regulating the cars and killing off the creativity that made the sport interesting to begin with. It\’s pretty obvious to me, that someone at the NHRA is banking off K&N and Holley, on the side. And I have to ask…what was the purpose of going mandatory EFI to begin with?

    1. Kelly

      I agree Jeff,k&n and Holley are definitely profiting and in bed with NHRA,pro stock will become boring if you don’t give the teams some freedom.

    2. Louis

      This Sucks. Nhra needs to look at what makes Drag racing popular and this isn’t it. We don’t want to see more “Rent a Race Car” racing.

  6. Tom P

    I think it will be interesting to see how everyone runs at Pomona and if anyone has a much different setup than the rest. Maybe long runners that look like an old crossram.

  7. Truckin' Ted

    I’m somewhat disappointed that you’ve taken the view that a dry intake would be a bad thing. The OEM automotive world has been making big gains in HP and fuel economy the last 2 decades with dry air intakes. It’s only in the last few years that they’ve taken that to the next step with direct fuel injection. I’m not real crazy about the spec-parts list, and I agree with the previous statements……………..

    Having said that, …….in more general terms ……..Pro Stock hasn’t been relevant since GM started making low-deck blocks specifically for their teams. Low-decks blocks, infinitely raised port type heads,……the list goes on. 12,000 rpm is pretty darn easy when you mix all those up and spit them out.

    And the bodies,…..good Lord……they don’t even look anything like Pro “STOCK”. The look like elongated bananas.

    You want Pro-Stock? I mean really Pro-Stock……..integrate the uni-bodies..with a chassis, and make the cars run stock blocks and stock EFI systems. Make the bodies match a series of OEM templates based off a show room stock Mustang, Camaro, ……..whatever.

    In the end, another reason Ford pulled out of NHRA and another reason NOT to remotely care about who wins the championship.

    1. Chad Reynolds Post author

      No Ted I didn’t say Dry Intakes were bad, just different. Because there is no fuel suspended in the air inside them the intake charge will be hotter. I only brought this up because it was listed as one concern by a crew chief. Fuel in the air mixture can cool the charge, but it can also be a bad thing as the column of air inside the intake is heavier and slower moving. Good and bad there too. We shall see what happens!

  8. GaryD

    This change may get rid of the giant hood scoops, but unless the cars actually start to resemble real cars again and not jelly bean shaped clones, it will not change the downward trend.

    1. SD

      They won’t resemble real cars at all. But they will sport this handy decal on the car that says “DODGE” or “CHEVROLET” so you’ll know what the hell you’re looking at when they come to the box.

  9. Richard boyle

    Why not relocate the radiator? It would give a clearer air path, keep the heat away from the intake and put some weight where it’s more advantageous. Just thinking up and over the radiator is not good for either the rad or the intake

    1. Chad Reynolds Post author

      The radiator isn’t going to induce any appreciable heat, regardless of what some crew chiefs say. These cars are fired, do a burnout, stage, make a pass, and are shut off by 1500 feet. Most never see 160 degrees. They could EASILY run these cars with no radiator and just have the blocks filled with water.

      1. SD

        NMRA Coyote Stock and NMCA CP/Stock hardly ever run the damn fans to cool theirs off. We run cut down radiators to give our inlets a clear path to the front for air intake. There is no “heat soak” issues with the inlet.

        Having said that…………this K&N design is a pile of crap. Given that NHRA was probably the designer…..what can you expect.

      2. Warren Rodrigues

        You might check with a few Pro Stock teams what water temperature they like to see when cars stage. You are failing to consider the heat is required to make maximum horsepower within the combustion chamber and heat is required for lubricants to do their job and have optimal viscosity to reduce parasitic drag on the moving parts.

  10. Gump

    I\’d like to see how much k&n is dicking them for that tube. It doesn\’t seem fair that a single brand is mandated. Everything should be set in parameters, and the teams can engineer their own parts. Why not make all the cars identical, and just change the stickers? Oh, wait….

  11. Spanners Chromemoly

    I’ve been experimenting with various ‘long runner’ manifolds as I had random thoughts when sitting on the throne and over beers (not always at the same time) that if runner length can improve exhaust flow then it might improve induction. Throwing around basic gas flow calculations and ham-fistedly looking at lengths around the resonance ideals for that engine at its torque peak ( Note: I am a small time operation and generally just try sh*t to see if it works, no formal training and am resistant to go into detail) I have found improvement throughout the curve to a point where it compares to traditional short runner manifolds in the higher rpm (albeit showing vast improvement in the lower rpm region although I am still experimenting with lengths (time/money restrictions) however from my early results I am convinced there is some scope to long runner manifold tuning.

  12. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    Quite right!

    How come a manufacturer of air cleaners suddenly gets a licence to print money as EVERY Pro Stock car has to have their induction system fitted?

    Who’s to say their system is the most efficient?

    Who actually gives a damn?

    Not when there’s that beautiful feast of power and freedom called Pro Mod!

    1. Chad Reynolds Post author

      K&N has been the mandated Hood Scoop and air cleaner provider for a few years. All the teams were running K&N scoops before being told they had to go away.

  13. John Cailey

    It appears that NHRA is trying to choke the life out of ingenuity – what there is left of it. Pro stock = out. Pro Mod = in. It’s not all NHRA’s fault. When you can spend a gazillion $ in the air flow room to find out the best shape is a jelly bean, guess what all the cars are going to look like. Has happened in almost all aspects of racing.

    1. Chad Reynolds Post author

      I might agree with you if NHRA didn’t treat Pro Mod like a redheaded step child. It is NOT treated like a Pro category, which is not only a shame but unprofessional on NHRA’s part.

  14. Tom Tourek Sr.

    TF & FC at 1000′ and 335 mph; can eighth mile be far away? Now PS changes, wait and see the performance & appeal…..don’t know yet. But as someone said above, what is the motivation and reason for throttle body anyway? What is the real benefit to the sport? Want to see some VERY entertaining racing? Try the Heritage Series and especially the March Meet.

  15. Larry Larson

    Looks to me like they are emulating Nascar. Build em all alike. Why not use a body template as well. They are losing more fans every year. Just look at the stands the next time a race is on TV. In the old days the idea was to take something and improve it with the only restrictions being cubic inches, weight, etc.

  16. ratty

    the twist idea is interesting as far as lengthening the runners, but wouldn’t it just create a problem of slowing air down by removing the straight shot the straight runners were designed for? Though they’re dry, you wouldn’t have the problem of fuel losing its atomization as it hit and collected on the outside radii of the runner bends, but you might still have issues with the dry air making those turns, heating up some more maybe and creating turbulence issues (?). Of course now that you brought it up, I’m gonna have to build a twisted intake just cause it would look crazy… but then I’ll have to install a set of Twisted Wedge heads too, just, because, or at least build a set of twisted headers like those boat headers you showed (with a lot more twist though)… OR, just design a flat-8 engine that would sit low and run super tall straight intake runners, Porsche used to have one back in the day but for current machines, there are two current production airplane flat-8’s today that would work, Continental and Lycoming! ha, oh wait, this is pretty much a spec class now, never mind, no creativity or innovation allowed… NHRA ProStock is the ‘Car of Tomorrow’ of drag racing… Barf.

  17. Drew

    Pro mod is the best class to watch anyway. Now when pro stock comes up to race it will be just like those lame studder cars and the bikes. Everyone just gets up and leaves, its really very funny. Makes me laugh everytime as im walking out.

  18. Bruce Dyda

    Since the fuel is direct injected a long runner is not needed to create a strong vacuum signal to pull fuel thru the carb.
    Air that was previously displaced by fuel “Grains” is replaced with “AIR” only.
    Since the fuel is injected at the bottom of the runner and away from the plenum, cylinders that fire close or across to each other (5&7) will not rob fuel, so those become more consistent.
    Since NHRA ProStock ran all over the country in all types of weather (cold to hot) I do not think the dry air temp is that big of an issue—too many other variables to worry about

  19. Les Mayhew

    Are they doing it wrong Chad?:…Yes…they’ve been doing it wrong for a long time. Sometime around 1987, the IHRA Quick 8 Top Sportsman racing started to provide the most bad ass door cars in drag racing…coupled with the convergence of Pro Stock towards a “Spec” racing car in an effort to retain racer & factory participation, Pro Stock has lost market share in the world of Drag Racing with Doors. The market is there for a factory appearing race car @ the NHRA Pro level…whether the rules should resemble a faster derivative of the Factory Stock Showdown cars…or John Mihovitz Modular Ford-Powered Pro Modified, I don’t know what the answer is. As far as the fan depletion at the NHRA Big Show races during the Pro Stock sessions…it’s awfully hard to follow 10,000 HP Nitro Cars with anything…even Pro Modified.

  20. J zezima

    No one cares NHRA is drying up, ticket prices are crazy, Can’t field 16 cars in pro classes isn some events. Graham Light if he had any balls, should have been fired when Force and Hight both had 2+ second reaction times in KS 4 years ago to fix the race for the shootout. NHRA is paying for the pro classes to make runs for the public show because $50 grand for winning a fuel class just doesn’t cover a weekend of racing. Enjoy the show folks it won’t last.

  21. Scott Clark

    If they want manufacturers to care about NHRA stuff, axe whomever fell for the “… you need a spec ECU to police the teams…” and let manufacturers get involved.

  22. J Lovelady

    If you recall, NHRA has been notorious for killing classes such as Pro Stock Truck & Pro Modified with their actions…They never cared for the little guy with the weekend warrior racing fever that continued to spend every dollar at a track every weekend…This will be the demise of Pro Stock just like they did with Pro Stock Trucks when Schumacher gave them millions for more TF coverage & eliminated PST……Army has a race team ya know…How much taxpayer $$$ do we pay on that!!! Goodbye NHRA Pro Stock..

  23. greg

    its just wrong another chance thats going to cost around $20.000 for the change over. no more pro scoops and shorter wheelie bars. Sounds like trouble to me ITSALL ABOUT THE NHRA RATINGS

  24. JDM

    NHRA Heritage series no different. The flow of big Bucks and lack of parts means there is nothing really nostalgic about it. Cheater bodies and professional big buck drivers Plus, hand grenade hemi oildowns are the results of most runs. Very few side by side passes.

    1. Tom Tourek Sr.

      JDM, You’re missing something in your comments about the Heritage Series. At 1320 and 275 mph it’s a lot more entertaining than the National Events. And I disagree that oildowns are the result of most runs. Heritage Series is nearly all side by side good racing.

      1. JDM

        I’ve been to every Hot Rod Reunion since it’s inception.

        The 2015 Funny Car competition on Saturday this year was brutal. It took about 5 hours to get them all down the track. Yep all few races were close but most were not.

        To be competitive now in Nostalgia Funny car is little more difficult. Initially at the first 10 years of the HRR races or so, just making a full pass without blowing up was enough to get you to the semis. Nowdays it’s more difficult with the injection of money and the little guys 3 man shops dropping out. Less oildowns but still fan friendly but not very close racing.

  25. Joe

    I love the Pro Stock cars, but I have wondered for years why they did not have EFI?? I do not like the fact that they are limited to just K&N items, as this does not allow other companies step in the fight and everyone would make steps to build a better system over the other guys.
    The NHRA has had issues for years and they cannot see what is going on because of all the money that is being offered to them. I got to interview Shirley Muldowney a few months back and I asked her about the problems with the NHRA, she said she would fire all the of them, and start over and get back to racing. I have to agree with her, fans are there to see racing and innovation, not a bunch of cookie cutter cars.

  26. Scott Clark

    Also, that K&N piece is REQUIRED BY NHRA now. Chad, hit me up if you want the up to date rules. You have to pick up the air from down low on the front of the car.

  27. Wayne

    I said it back in 1976 when they went to bracket racing. Nhra is killing the sport it’s all about the money. Just how much money are they paying themselves. I think they should be put in jail for embezzling. I think should be payed what the average joe makes. Bracket racing is NOT racing you might as well just go rally racing. For the average joe can not afford it any more every couple years new belts new damper new flywheel and so on and so on. Example A few years ago I started to put together a fed. Business problems made me stop. When I could get back to it ALL of safety equipment out dated. Cordova went to ihra. Thank heavens ihra don’t have all those mandates. Now if they would just bring back some class racing.

      1. Tom Tourek Sr.

        I should have added that I’m an old Modified Eliminator racer from the ’70’s & ’80’s and now racing B/Gas with my sons. Yes, there’s a breakout that I will always dislike but it is the only way to control costs. We spent plenty on our C/Gas and D/Gas cars. No electronics and no stumbling off the line….great heads up racing.

  28. Brody

    This shit is hilarious. As an FYI-the teams and NHRA approached K&N to design and supply the intake system. They wanted it this way.

  29. Mont

    I think they should be running body-in-white backhalf cars. Make them like the outlaw cars that are so popular now people can’t get enough of them.

  30. Rich Pauza

    Never before – not even the late 60’s Muschlel car era – has their been so much to choose from in the Performance car world.

    Everybody is IN with Mind Blowing performance available at your local dealers.

    2 years ago, NHRA should have come up with a Body In White chassis rule package for STOCK APPEARING CARS – then a Run what they build engine program.

    It is not to late – this should be the re birth of Pro Stock – Not Another NHRA band aid deal.

  31. motorman

    Get back to stock bodies as the pro stocks now look like pro mods. i will be surprised if any of the car manufactures would be interested as a pro stock looks nothing like what they sell.

  32. Tom Pohorilla

    Doesn’t anybody see what’s happening here? If you want to see what’s in store for NHRA, just look to NASCAR. NHRA has always followed them like a little puppy dog since they realized back in the early 70’s that they couldn’t get anywhere emulating the PGA. NHRA is nothing more than a microcosm of our government’s bureaucratic system run amuck with so-called “experts” dictating what will be done based more on P&L statements and Neilsen ratings than on any actual technical expertise. Their “solutions” are based on people on the payroll telling those in charge what they want to hear. You can see the results. This isn’t about trying to further the class, it’s about trying to save it from the dumpster. If they really wanted to grow, they would listen closely to what the fans actually want to see, instead of just trying to milk them for every penny they can get out of them. I remember when NHRA’s motto was “:Ingenuity in Action”. Not any more, folks
    .

  33. Bob Landry

    While I agree the bodies should look like their street counterparts, driver safety should figure into the equation. Modern cars are designed so the chassis is in fact, the roll cage which is fine as long as you are under 150 mph or so. Anything above those speeds obviously requires some type of fabricated chassis that will, in an unforeseen case, protect the drivers. Race on Sunday buy on Monday went out when US Automakers decided it was too costly to manufacture cars in this country. I have not seen any foreign automakers step into the Pro Stock arena. I’m sure that the Top Fuel dragsters and Funny cars come from Toyota factory which sponsors them.
    As for EFI, big deal. There are enough Sportsman racers out here that will keep carburetor manufacturers in profit. None of this really matters unless televised drag racing isn’t promoted equally between the “Pro” classes. Showing the little guys, and I use that term loosely, racing to attract more interest in the sport would help the public understand what real racing is instead of the electronic, pc, ipod, ipad sort of entertainment that the youth of today have their heads and noses buried in.
    The only new blood coming into this sport is from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of existing racers. Doing actual mechanical work is as foreign to this generation as Datsuns and Toyotas were to us back in the 1960’s.

    1. Bob Landry

      By the way, for those of you with the “jellybean” criticism: ALL cars suitable for NHRA Pro Stock look like jellybeans from the factory!!! Get your heads out of the 1960’s technology and get back to the future! Stop your whining.
      If you want that type fo racing , develop a class in an organization that will bring back the “original super stockers the were converted to Prostock 50 years ago and have at it. You will not “race on Sunday sell on Monday” because they don’t make those cars anymore!!!! Having cake and eating it too is a pipe dream , What you all been smokin’??

  34. Anotheridiot

    It is hard to compare the atomized fuel from the carburetor design to the just air being fed through the intake, which looks like it is getting alot of help catching the air at speed. Just air is lighter and easier to move, so I think teams can keep it pretty simple, especially considering the rev limiter is the biggest hurdle.

  35. Brian Ferguson

    Wouldn’t this work better (longer runners, twin throttle bodies, more traditional)
    http://image.hotrod.com/f/132757478+w660+h495+q80+re0+cr1/1963-chevrolet-nova-engine.jpg I always thought that longer runners and more throttle bodies were better for high RPM N/A?

    Also the mandated intake and scoop look similar to something Pete Robinson tried on a fueler in the 70’s and he made it a half pass before it fouled up the motor with rubber and asphalt. It looks like the NHRA wants a 1500hp dust buster to clean the track for the fuel cars. Warren Johnson was right, the NHRA is killing door cars.

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