On Wed, 9 Jun 1999, Eric Linnhoff wrote:
> >The SCCA blew apart SS when they incorrectly classed the Neon ACR in
> >SSC. End of story. This 'trunk kit' nonsense was a half-assed attempt
> to
> >rebalance the classes. SS is now dead. Long live SS.
> ========================
> Only the SOHC ACR was/is classed in SSC, the DOHC Neons were/are classed
> in SSB. There is a definite top end advantage with the DOHC cars over
> the SOHC cars hence the two different classes.
>
Is there a SSA class? what cars are in it?
>
>
>
> >The chief difference between Stock and SP is the ability to change the
> >springs (and swaybars on both ends of the car). In my opinion, it
> >doesn't matter a bit if this is done by the manufacturer or by the end
> >user. The effect is the same.
> ============================
> The ACR's wear the exact same rear spring rates as every other Neon out
> there, 120 pounds/inch. Ooh, bestill my heart. Only the front springs
> are different with a 150 lb/in rate instead of the "normal" 140 lb/in
> rate. WOW, a lot of difference there buddy.
>
R/T's and Sports (95-96) have the same springs 150 front.
> As to swaybars, lots of Neons have the bigger swaybars including the
> readily available "Sport" (Dodge) and "Expresso" (Plymouth) Neons
> including my Dodge R/T Neon. In my opinion it absolutely DOES make a
> difference if the change is made by the manufacturer as opposed to the
> end user. It shows that the factory is serious about making a good
> (race)car and has gone to the trouble of investing much R&D time and
> money into making a better (race)car. Which consequently is sold
> through retail dealers all across the nation with the EXACT SAME list of
> go-fast goodies to anyone (well, after the first year's ACRs were sold
> only to SCCA members) who can sign their name on the financing
> paperwork.
>
> What get's my goat is that the SCCA actually allowed the other
> manufacturers to install the "trunk kits" instead of making them do the
> same R&D as Chrysler did to make a faster car. Talk about the squeaky
> wheel getting all the grease. One most notable exception would be the
> Miata R's. Kudos to Mazda for that car but shame on 'em for the trunk
> kitted Protege's.
>
> "WAHHH, those Neons are faster than us. It's not fair. We need help
> since we obviously can't or don't want to take the time and effort to
> make a faster car ourselves. Give us a trunk kit so we can be
> competitive."
>
> TOTAL HORSEPUCKEY if you ask me!!! SCREW the other manufacturers!!! I
> say let 'em continue to lose races if they don't care enough to make a
> better (race)car like Chrysler did/does.
>
This is one place I think I actually agree with ole Linnhoff! Why make up
for your company's bad designs by adding stuff later? Hell you could make
a Pinto win with enough parts in its trunk kit, that doesnt make it a
great car, I dont think it follows along with the Showroom STOCK ideals.
Jason
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