Question for Modified Mini Stock Drivers/Owners

[run4fun]

Yes Bobby, was just listening to thoughts and ideas...I will put together something, that's why I want feedback from the guys who run these cars. The 2.3L is the core of the engine rules and I think we need to re-visit the 2.3L and create a more affordable and durable 2.3L package and get more cars on the track. Thanks for your thoughts, and much agreed.

[bowlegs]

I sold a 2.3l out of my old 80s ranger to a high school teacher that races in the pony mustang class at Dixie Speedway just north of Atlanta. They have big fields of those up here. You might wanna check out Dixie's engine rules for the class. maybe you'll see something helpful. Cause we all know, high school teachers aren't rolling in the dough.

[racer75]

I have also seen on the net a couple of companies selling a rebuilt 2.3L crate engine for less than $1800.That might be something to look into.I have even read about how the Allison Legacy series was experimenting taking 2.3L engines from junk yards and tearing them down and resealing them for $100.The article was telling about one competitor that was working with this and ran a junk yard motor all season and won 3 races.Just a thought....

[bowlegs]

If everyone is running a ford 2.3 you might wanna call around to the dealers, see if one will bight and sponsor a series. I'm pretty sure the 2.3 is long gone (even the Ranger is gone) but still, there's a good connection that May interest a dealer.

[run4fun]

Good stuff guys! I will check around. From what I've seen and heard most of the cylinder heads on the 2.3's are cracked when salvaged and only the blocks are good (in a majority of cases). I have also seen remanufactured bare blocks and heads for really good prices on the web...so the resources are there...no need for Esslinger Blocks and Heads for $4000.00 LOL

I would like a few modifications allowable with a new engine rule though for durability and all very affordable. (i.e. hyper pistons, stock rods with ARP bolts, steel main caps reinforcement allowed, studs allowed on heads and crank, hydraulic lifter and cam kit with .450 lift designed for oval track 7200 RPM Max, cam tower steel caps, stock cranks (no lightening), stock water pumps, stock fuel pump, oil pan optional (no dry sumps), aftermarket tensioner for timing, billet Aux shaft ok, stock ignition, stock distributor with super coil ok (brass gear ok), billet pulleys ok, stock intakes, stock heads (No 3 angle Valve Jobs-research has shown these are not big HP gainers, porting & polishing IS on the 2.3L head, maybe that's an option), no brass guides, stock diameter valves (stainless ok), and no gold star clutches with 8lbs flywheels...etc...and this is just scratching the surface....Just the cutbacks alone allow you to make an effort to build a durable engine for a great price...

[44MINISTOCK]

Run4fun -
What you just described in your last post is what we already have ---
they are called mini stocks.
What we are racing now has evolved from them years ago. The problem is that we are trying to run a tube chassie with all aftermarket parts and being limited to steel heads and stock rear ends that are a pain to change gears if you want to race somewhere else. Ect.

These are four cylinder late models with restrictions!

If you want to run mini stocks that's great. if you want to run a mod mini (4 cy late model) then open up the rules and let us run quick change rear ends so if we have a series that runs several tracks you could change gears quick and stay with one transmission .
The aluminum heads are far more reliable and don't cost that much more .

I'm not trying to bash anyone's ideas and I think it's great that someone has taken interest in the mod minis. I just don't want the class to go backwards when we have come this far. The mini stock class is great and they do have a good car count at most tracks.

This is just my opinion . Thanks reading.

Milk Lawhorn
Mod Mini #44

[run4fun]

44ministock...thanks for the feedback. That's why I put this out there was to get a 360 look from all the drivers/owners. I have no qualms about the existing engine rules. The goal was to enhance competition and make it affordable. A spec engine rule just levels they playing field, and even with a spec engine rule, they are ions different from a traditional mini stock. But yes, quick change rear ends are definitely a huge convenience with a price of around $2,000.

[tzracer]

mod mini

the main thing that kills these engines is rpm's. put a gear rule and keep them under 8000 rpm's for the fords and 7000 rpms for the dodges and only allow .500 longer than stock rods and they will last awhile and be cheaper to build.

[run4fun]

tzracer...they definitely can crank out the RPM's...having done a lot of research on the mod minis, most of the track rules in the Southeast US are very similar. The mod mini class is developing into what is essentially what is most referred to as PRO4 Late Models..so with all these tracks having similar rules, the putting together of a TOUR SERIES is at a high point of probability for this class. I am working behind the scenes on accomplishing this for the class, that's my goal. The Florida Mini Stock Challenge was a big success. I think now is the time for the MOD MINIS. Continue building upon what we have with the current engine rules, and later consider some advancements regarding chassis, rear ends, etc.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

No 2000 Cc Fords
Everyone Weights The Same
No Weight Breaks For Anyone

[Rowdy5one]

I'd rather go to different tracks personally. There are so many great asphalt tracks here in Florida to run, why go to the same one week after week? I like helping out my local track(s), but you have to pick and choose races. A series would align all that. I agree that a quick change rear-end should be allowed if a series were to come together. It would make going to different tracks much easier. I'm not very experienced in these cars, but I already love driving them and would love to see them prosper for many seasons to come. So basically a big thumbs up for a traveling series.

[tzracer]

traveling series

i was at desoto this past saturday with my car and no body mentioned anything at the drivers meeting about a series for the mod mini's. maybe u can try again this saturday. i think the pro4 late model name would be a catchy name for the series.

[bowlegs]

So if you take the engine out of the equation, are mod minis closer to Pro Late Models or closer to south FL Sportsman?

[rocketd76]

mod minis

well a lot of good ideas,,and interest,,just hope something good will come out of this ,,lot of racers out there wanting to run,,me included,,but as I speak,,im a dirt guy,,i think most everybody runs asphalt down south,,,not apposed to running it,,just have more dirt tracks up here,,im always game,,but distance is another thing for us few up here also,,need to have a decent pay and maybe tow many if that's even possible anymore,,how bout a nice sponsor to help in the series,,?im ready to commit to running a series,,just need to look at what rules,,tacks and pay is available,,mr bob d seems to be interested in maybe helping get going,,no better a person than I know of to talk to,,and get track owners to listen,,hes been good at helping a lot of deals in the past for sure,,(yes we do watch things in s florida here in Alabama,,lots of good racing and drivers from that area,,and yes I used to race t.q. midgets and sprints down thee yrs ago,,so I know a few people still) like all of us money is the thing with me too,,got a ton in this carand few places to run,,so please keep me in the loop,,anyone,,drocketracer@gmail.com don td motorsports

[run4fun]

TZRACER....I will be meeting with Bobby the weekend of September 12th regarding the series. We have spoken on the phone about it. There is a lot of energy about it. I will be putting something together for all the drivers/owners very soon. I am also attracted with the Pro-4 attachment and have a few names on the table for forming it officially. The Pro-4 series is growing across the country. This would start to align us with these series for competition on a much greater scale. This would draw cars, increase competition and increase payouts significantly. I have been doing a lot of research on this series/tour opportunity. Leaving rules as they are for now, we will be looking at rear-ends, heads, and chassis topics to phase in progressively so it's not too much on the car owners.