56 Chev SS car

[Bob W]

I've beeen toying with the idea of a (NHRA)56 Super Stocker with a 265 225hp engine. Any idea of a good starting point for shocks, springs, ladder bar set up. I think I read next year you can run a 4 speed in one of these cars.

[punisher55]

Originally Posted by Bob W

I've beeen toying with the idea of a (NHRA)56 Super Stocker with a 265 225hp engine. Any idea of a good starting point for shocks, springs, ladder bar set up. I think I read next year you can run a 4 speed in one of these cars.

Good starting point would be cal tracs in the rear. Ladder bars would not be necessary. Landrum or cal-trac sells new leaf springs. Some good adjustable shocks front and rear, and some moroso trick springs in the front for weight transfer. Grind those ridges off of the control arm bushings too My car was set up like this for years(except i had traction bars instead of cal-tracs) and went 6.70's in the eighth mile consistently. That sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Go for it

[Old Buzzard]

If you have intentions of being "competitive", maybe spend some time w/ others that are trying this combo.
The maintenence cost is astronomical.....
A case in mind: my bud's friends in Neb, are doing the SS thing w/ a 56 wagon...All I can say is, CUBIC DOLLARS!

[OLKY55]

I've gotta agree with Buzzard. Those Super Stock guys are serious, dedicated racers.

There are a few tri-five SS'ers around. You would suit yourself well if you could pick their brain some and see if they could maybe give you good ideas/direction for that combination. Some of them are quite secretive, but others would be glad to share all they know.

I'm pretty sure you're gonna need a roll cage to run SS. I'm not sure if you'll have to back-half it, because I don't think those cars run too big of a tire. The guy I knew back in the 80's had his mini-tubbed. I'm not sure if you could still get by with that, but a chassis shop experienced building SS class cars could help you.

I hope I haven't discouraged you, because I still think the SS tri-fives are some of the coolest cars running. Good luck with it.

[Jim Cimarolli]

Bob W.

I just retired my '57 Wagon from drag racing, and it was great working car with a 9 inch tire. I was using Tri-City Competition service rear Launcher springs on the rear and Moroso trick front springs. The rear springs are designed to work without any other traction device, just clamps on the front segments. I have both sets of springs that I would like to sell if you think this might work for you. I am an old NHRA racer and I know Randall Klein very well. He is the guy mentioned in an earlier post with the '56 Nomad 265/225 SS/NA. My phone number is 903-885-7736.

[punisher55]

You can be very competitive in Super Stock without spending a ton of money. All you have to do is make sure your car will run under the index for your class and dial it in during the race .Even at a National event, the chance of you having to run a car thats in the same class as you would be slim (at that point it would be heads up and fastest car wins). Its like bracket racing UNLESS you are trying to set records in your class then its all about the $$$$$$

[Jr.Fuel]

Originally Posted by Old Buzzard

If you have intentions of being "competitive", maybe spend some time w/ others that are trying this combo.
The maintenance cost is astronomical..... A case in mind: my bud's friends in Neb, are doing the SS thing w/ a 56 wagon...All I can say is, CUBIC DOLLARS!

Super Stock is not a game for those unfamiliar with these Cars &/or Classes.

And it takes a huge commitment of both time and money to be competitive (I speak from experience of racing nhra stock eliminator for over 30 years).

Here's a couple of guys that are still running the '56 Chevys as SS cars (and both have been at this, with these same vehicles for over 30+ years each)....

Rick Pike & Sheldon Erfle ( both are Canadians too )....
Rick is from BC; and Sheldon is from Assinaboia / Saskatoon, Sask).

Maybe you should consider wetting your feet with 'Class Racing' by building an IHRA 'Stocker' out of your '56, like this '55 of Shelby Hurley out of MD....
It's plenty cute, and it runs under the indexes as well!!

While Stock is a bit less expensive than a SS car, it is still just as much of a challenge and takes as much commitment to be competitive.

Good Luck, and keep us all informed of what you are planning or where you might end up!!

(just found another photo - John Angelo's '56 SS/NA )

[56owner]

I had a friend (now retired) who ran in S/S . He found a different glass manufacuturer who made glass .005 thinner than what was in his car so all the glass in his car had to be replaced right away.

[punisher55]

Originally Posted by 56owner

I had a friend (now retired) who ran in S/S . He found a different glass manufacuturer who made glass .005 thinner than what was in his car so all the glass in his car had to be replaced right away.

Yes, those super stockers have a lot of neat "tricks". When you can take a factory rated 295 horsepower 350 and run 9's in the quarter, in a 3100 pound car, you are getting everything possible out of it. We are talking flat top pistons, stock 041 casting gm heads, quadrajet carb,etc....:eek: very impressive

[henrys57wagon]

I helped when Rick Jone's (stoney) built his 55 SS and we built an front angled carb spacer. I think it was either SS/O or P, good day.