My major "observation" with all my association with FAST is that even where you are allowed to run an aftermarket block (Hemi's and BB Chevies are allowed due in large part to scarcity) in my opinion you should still be limited to a maximum of .060" over the FACTORY Bore size. IMO it's an unfair advantage to be allowed a 4.56" bore for the Hemi/L87-L89 cars if only because a guy with a small block anything or a Pontiac or any other brand can't. Bigger bores mean bigger valves and the 'already fast' combos get that much faster.

They should have a small block class for cars that could have been purchased with a supercharger option either direct ,or dealer installed. Mr. Norm's 340 Demon, Early Shelby Mustangs, and even the few Studebaker's that came with them.

Studebakers have run in F.A.S.T. as I recall.

I think the R2 Studebaker Larks that race are in the pure stock drag series, which is not the same as the FAST group???

https://youtu.be/rnq7uJcgJug?si=zgBXkQfroSrEdn8E

You may be correct!

There are two classes that run at the “FAST” events.
The original FAST……. factory appearing stock tire, and F/S…… factory stock.

F/S is basically the twin to the PSMCDR series, where the whole car is supposed to be pretty much “stock”.
One difference between the two organizations is that the PSMCDR series limits the ET to no quicker than 11.50, and F/S does not.

I don't know for sure but I believe the Duster is running an R block so 4.100" + would be no problem. The R block is heavier than a factory block too so there's a weight penalty.

What's impressive is that some of the F/S cars are running quicker than some of the old FAST cars.


I wonder how many people are actually running european spec 70MM exhaust? It's roughly 2.75" od, visually everyone can spot 3" pipe but it takes a pretty trained eye to spot the difference between 2 1/2" and 2 3/4"

Didn’t Ryan have a cnc program to lighten the R3 blocks years ago. I’m sure others do too.

He can go one letter size larger on tire size over stock. If it started with an E70-14, he can go to a F70-14.

I kinda remember that and recall it was a huge amount of work? The class rule makers would likely want you to keep the outside of the block looking 'factory' though so there's probably a limit on what you can do to it anyway. No motor plates in the class so the mount ears would have to stay and that's a bunch of weight right there. Most of the weight is in the block itself anyway with thicker main webbing and decks, lifter bosses, 4 bolt mains, etc.

The superchargers on the Studes were factory installed units. Not dealer added units. The Studes that have run have been in the Factory Stock/ Pure Stock ranks.

Thanks Tom!
Slowly picking away at it. There's more in the combo, not sure how much more but it's not tapped out yet. It was nice to see some power improvements with the work I did over the last year. Basically it is the same short block 340 resto block .030 over with a stroker crank. Did quite a bit more of oil control modifications this time. New set of J heads cnc'd by KG and Porter Racing did the finishing and fine details. I ported another intake with more extra care in the plenum area, and I did another set of exhaust manifolds. I setup the valvetrain and spent way too much time moving things around to get the most out of cam. With making the passenger side exhaust manifold as thin as I dared, it's outlet is still only a touch over 1 7/8"! Also added 45lbs to the car over last year, which I hope to address this winter. I was over the moon it went 130 on a 80* day.


Also, just saying, the main reason for shaving the tires is to make them round. I appreciate Kelsey taking the time to make tires for the restoration crowd, and am not badmouthing them at all, but most of the reproduction tires I have had my hands on are out of round by over 2-3/32nds. You cannot balance them on a 14" rim, and at over 120+ it's not good.

Still one of the coolest classes in drag racing. I've come across this guys videos a few times, he goes over a lot of tech involved, and what they do to the tires. He takes a shot at hemi joel in this video regarding air cleaners lol

Congrats to them...an impressive build!

seems like pretty tight converters. Probably how they keep from spinning.on those suspensions/tires. Keep the power down in the launch with low rpm stall. Then have a bunch of low end torque to pull you out of it.

I don't know if a 1/2 wider wheel would make that big a difference , I believe that the 340 Duster had an E70-14 as the only available tire size so the max allowed size is a G70-14. As far as the lightweight 904 , yes that would be allowed. With a big block Mopar since there was not BB 904 case you can run the 904 guts in a 727 case. GM's are allowed to use a powerglide even if the engine being run never had one behind it ... If I remember right the L88 Vette run by Wayne Nelson back in 06 had a powerglide behind it ...

Rusty I was pretty sure that was the case with PSMCDR, and Originally in FAST, but now I thought it went to a max of the G size ? Did the 340 Duster have an F series tire? I know my 69 383 gts was originally an E70 , I run F 70's , getting a G on it would not be easy, the F is tight with my rear springs sagging like they do.

Exactly , they actually run a SLICK TIRE event where everyone that wants to run their bald tires. Some tracks don't allow it , New England Dragway a couple years ago failed tech on one guy because at the inflation he was running his tire at the very center treadd bar had worn away the tread sipes , the rest of the tire was perfect and it wasn't near the wear bars. It looked like they wear you would see on a slightly over inflated tire with lots of miles , or burnouts, on it.

There is all kinds of stupid in the FBG