I haven’t raced in BSA yet but plan to in 2022 so my opinion might not carry much weight. That said, I think each entrant should have a stock air cleaner that I came from the factory with. To me stock appearing is just that and a 360 chrome air cleaner, back in the dry usually meant that the motor was “probably “ modified in other ways. By the way, some tests have shown that the stock base on 68-72 455s air cleaners actually worked at least as well as some open elements. And In several cases better.
After reading the responses, I'd really still like to be part of this class. You have to understand, in speaking with Starc yesterday morning, it seemed like running down the track with the open element cleaner, in my case, would be possible, with having a stock air cleaner setup for the show portion. Then a few hours later, the post about no drop base open filters being allowed at all really surprised me. So that's where I'm coming from on this. I appreciate wanting to work with me on this. I struggled with my last post as to it's tone. I'm really pretty easy going and try to stay away from confrontation. I'm not arguing this issue to try to gain a performance advantage over anyone, it's just my only option to be able to drive the car. Thanks for hearing my view on this and I hope I will be allowed to continue to be part of this class.
I am ok with a stock unit for show and an open element for the race. We are using our best qualifying time and handicap/bracket style starts on the tree so there really is no potential unfair performance advantage unless someone uses the closed element for qualifying and then the open element for the race.
I agree; I think an excellent compromise is ‘display with stock’ and, if you need an open element to run, then run one. My vision for the class is cars that look like what would have been provided by Buick for a road test when new with the mods a magazine like Hot Rod would have been able to try, on a Friday night, to a car they had to turn in on Monday. (Or in the case of the cars that look a little rougher, cars borrowed from Dad and snuck to the track but have to be back Sunday morning). Patrick
I would agree in the spirit of the class to at least show it with an air cleaner and race it how you want. Sure wouldn’t want to try and make the class smaller on purpose.
I've got tentative plans to build a BSA car for next year(better get moving on that) and will show / run with a stock breather. The plan is to cut out the back side so not seen from the front to give better air flow but still look stock.
She has the Olds 350 from the factory. Its begging for a 455. If that happens then a TH 400 is a must. Then that will lead to the open 8.2 to be upgraded. Its a 51 K mile one owner old lady car.
I think the ‘94-‘96 Impala SS, Roadmaster and Caprice rear fits the earlier B body cars and are 5x5… Patrick
Looks like a pretty cool project. My parents bought a new 1977 2dr Lesabre with the Pontiac 301, light green on light green. Nothing special but it was a nice riding & driving car. Didn't the 8.2 axle go out of production after 1970?
an alternate option is a 8.5 out of a 73-77 A-Body, can be had either 5x5 0r 4.75x5 bolt pattern. Direct bolt in, I'm told.
My fuel pump is a mechanical in the stock location and feeds through the factory fuel line from pump to Quadrajet. I don't have an electric pusher pump. The pump is the RobbMC pump which appears stock from the top but is aftermarket. I can't see experiencing the cost of installing a stock Stage 1 fuel pump plus an electric pusher pump just for BSA. Do you think I could get peer permission to use it? The rest of my engine bay is 100% stock appearing including the stock cold air filter housing. The factory fuel line from pump to carb also has a "T" fitting in it (down near the fuel pump) with a tap to run a stainless fuel line up to a pressure gauge at the windshield for troubleshooting. The fitting would be capped off and the flex line and gauge removed for BSA.
If it looks stock from the top, you should be good. (I looked at a picture online; I think it fits the spirit). Patrick
