Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection

Posted By: 1badx

Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 01:46 PM

We are trying to get the GTX together for this event and since I have never attended I was wondering if folks who have could answer a few questions.

Here's some background on the car (please don't laugh). My car has not been to the track in 26+ years. I have recently installed an 8pt cage, transmission shield, reverse pattern valvebody w/brake, fuel cell, working on a window net, kirkey seats with belts (expired), n/a 440, exhaust w/mufflers, DOT's. Cars making similar horsepower/weight on our dyno have gone 10.7@122.

1. How tough is the tech inspection?
2. How crowded is the class that I will be in?
3. How many time trial passes can I expect to make(assuming I pass tech)?
4. I have read there is camping near the track. Are there showers? How about hotels, I'm guessing it's too late for that option....

Thanks!
Mike

Posted By: wheelsup68dart

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 02:12 PM

Get the belts, that will probably be your only problem. Camping is available at a site right next to the track, but you cannot stay on track grounds themselves. may get lucky with hotels on the west side of Columbus, but Newark/Heath area as well as Renolydsburg are probably out of the question. Make sure you ground your fuel cell as well.

Posted By: ProStDodge

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 03:01 PM

Locking transmission dip stock for any car faster than 10.99.

If you fuel cell is plastic - you need a ground strap to the filler cap outer ring.

Neutral safety switch is needed.

Helmet must be snell 2000 rated or newer and a 3.2A/1 fire jacket.

3/8" battery hold down bolts, battery in trunk needs an on/off switch on the back.

Aftermarket axles if faster than 10,99.

Driveshaft loop.

Metal valve stem on all four rims unless running tubes.

Coolant overflow bottle

Two throttle return springs.

Posted By: 1badx

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 03:08 PM

Quote:

Get the belts, that will probably be your only problem. Camping is available at a site right next to the track, but you cannot stay on track grounds themselves. may get lucky with hotels on the west side of Columbus, but Newark/Heath area as well as Renolydsburg are probably out of the question. Make sure you ground your fuel cell as well.

Thanks!

Ground my fuel cell? Is this necessary with an aluminum cell? The cell is bolted/strapped to the frame.

Posted By: 1badx

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 03:17 PM

Quote:

Locking transmission dip stock for any car faster than 10.99.

If you fuel cell is plastic - you need a ground strap to the filler cap outer ring.

Neutral safety switch is needed.

Helmet must be snell 2000 rated or newer and a 3.2A/1 fire jacket.

3/8" battery hold down bolts, battery in trunk needs an on/off switch on the back.

Aftermarket axles if faster than 10,99.

Driveshaft loop.

Metal valve stem on all four rims unless running tubes.

Coolant overflow bottle

Two throttle return springs.

I am good on the above except:

I am running a stock dipstick, stock axles, 5/16 battery hold down bolts (but in a covered, bolted metal box), my coolant overflow is a "venom" energy drink bottle.

Does the overflow bottle need to be sealed? I am not prepared to buy axles at this time (will be switching to rear discs and possibly a different length axle). If they are serious about the axle inspection maybe I should pass on this event. The other items are minor. I don't even know if the car will hook and go faster than 10.99.

Do you think that excuse will work for a few passes?

Posted By: Thor500

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 03:25 PM

I've never had anyone look at my axles ever, Belts in date, neutral safety and make sure the ignition shuts off with the battery kill (just pull a field wire off the alt. if it doesnt). Beer cans work for a catch can too. Have fun wish I could make it.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 03:27 PM

If you are running in Pro, expect lots of cars. Think there was well over 100 last year. To make it manageable, they will call the first round earlier than usual - around 11:00am if I remember correctly - so be prepaired. Don't know how many cars were there in total ( lots ), but I had no problem getting in 4 time runs - think they were limiting them to 3 per day though. Pits were extremely crowded with ATV's flying all over the place. Drive with caution. Seen a few pit acccidents. I thought the track was run very efficiently for the size of the crowd. Very little track carnage probably helped.

Posted By: 56_Royal_Lancer

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 04:04 PM

Don't skimp on the locking tranny dipstick, you will need that for sure.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 04:16 PM

I was only running hi 11's, so a lot that was said here didn't apply to me, but I thought tech was fast and loose. The guy never even looked underneath my car for a loop. He did like my real Corenthian red interior though.

Posted By: 1badx

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 04:20 PM

Quote:

I've never had anyone look at my axles ever, Belts in date, neutral safety and make sure the ignition shuts off with the battery kill (just pull a field wire off the alt. if it doesnt). Beer cans work for a catch can too. Have fun wish I could make it.

I do have a disconnect switch behind my license plate. I guess I will have to remove the plate which isn't a big deal. I also do not have the neutral safety switch wired but that should be easy. I've never seen a locking dipstick, will it work with a factory fill tube?

Posted By: ProStDodge

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 04:33 PM

CRT will likely have the locking dipsticks on hand on the vendor midway. It is not needed unless you run faster than 11.00. YES - they work with stock tube.

Battery hold down bolts are something that could be checked and are easy to change.

Aluminum fuel cell does not need a separate ground wire.

Kill switch should be visible AND labeled ON/OFF.

There is a chance they may check the neutral safety switch so I would connect one if I were you.

You can likely get by with the stock axles - they rarely checked at "specialty" events such as this and are not necessary till you run faster than 11.00.

Scott

Posted By: wheelsup68dart

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 05:07 PM

Easy solution here. Just tell them the car does not run faster than 11.50 when going through tech. It is very doubtful the question would ever be raised on any of the other items if you went out and ran 10.xx

Posted By: 1badx

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 05:18 PM

Quote:

Easy solution here. Just tell them the car does not run faster than 11.50 when going through tech. It is very doubtful the question would ever be raised on any of the other items if you went out and ran 10.xx

I guess that's what I was hoping would work. I have no idea what the car will actually run. If it hooks I have a pretty good idea based on the dyno numbers and weight. However, that's a far cry from an actual pass at the track.

How about the camp site, are there showers? I hate camping without showers.....

Posted By: ProStDodge

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 05:38 PM

I do believe the camp ground has showers - and there are two truck stops within a mile or two which also have showers.

Fibbing to my fellow tech guys is a good way to get asked to show instead of race.

Be honest and you should get fair consideration.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 05:41 PM

Quote:

Easy solution here. Just tell them the car does not run faster than 11.50 when going through tech. It is very doubtful the question would ever be raised on any of the other items if you went out and ran 10.xx

Unless the car looks like yours

Posted By: therocks

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 05:56 PM

Ive never been asked about a N switch on the 65.It is a 4 speed though.Im thinking about using a momentary toggle switch hooked to the clutch pedal to have one.Rocky

Posted By: 1badx

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 06:05 PM

Quote:

I do believe the camp ground has showers - and there are two truck stops within a mile or two which also have showers.

Fibbing to my fellow tech guys is a good way to get asked to show instead of race. Be honest and you should get fair consideration.

Thanks! And I really don't know how fast the car goes. I would like to get to a local track and shake it down but time is running out.....

The axles will be the kicker. Everything else I should be able to get together (at least what has been posted so far)

Posted By: 69dart

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 06:39 PM

They have showers at the track - they are under the bleachers where womens bathroom is. The Mopar Nats usually ends up being one of the Hottest weekends of the year around here so bring shade and lots and lots of water to drink. If your car runs high 10's expect 11.'s with the heat and wind at NTR.

The best part of the Mopar Nats is Rt 79 in Heath on Saturday night. I'm kinda bummed we aren't going this year.

Posted By: kissmyaspen

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 06:57 PM

You be fine with passing tech.. believe me if not come find the yellow aspen and we will make it pass tech.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Mopar Nats - Questions about tech inspection - 08/02/10 07:04 PM

Quote:

They have showers at the track - they are under the bleachers where womens bathroom is. The Mopar Nats usually ends up being one of the Hottest weekends of the year around here so bring shade and lots and lots of water to drink. If your car runs high 10's expect 11.'s with the heat and wind at NTR.

The best part of the Mopar Nats is Rt 79 in Heath on Saturday night. I'm kinda bummed we aren't going this year.

For sure on both counts. Best thing we brought was our little tent. Although the car ran 11.88 ( about 2 tenths off the norm )in the morning air, by the afternoon I had dialed in a 12.03 for the third round due to heat and wind.

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