That's a lot of info. Thanks! Will be a big help.
I've looked through thirdgen a bit but finding actual builds has been difficult as most of the TPI section is troubleshooting and such.
The rules are difficult to explain so I'll post the pertinent parts here. The full rules are here;
https://champcar.org/web/pdf/2021bccr/B ... dlines.pdf
Page 12 for the points list for various mods.
4.3.1. Non-stock Component Values: ChampCar has
assigned a FIXED POINT VALUE that will be
applied to MOST non-stock and/or performance
components.
4.3.2. Fixed Point Value List:
• ABS, Non-OE, from a vehicle on VPI list: 25 pts
• Aerodynamic Devices (See 9.22 for more info)
o Spoiler / Wing / Splitter / Diffuser / Aero
Pan / Air Dam / Side Skirts: 10 pts/ea
o Any added aero component outside of the
defined components will be charged points
based on square feet of material.
• Automatic Transmission - Subtract 75 pts
To qualify for this deduction, the transmission
must be equipped with a fluid-coupling device
(torque converter). Dual clutch gearboxes are not
considered automatic and do not qualify for the
deduction.
• Brake Caliper - 5-piston or more: 5 pts each
• Camber / caster adjustable plates / apparatus:
o Aftermarket (pair): 20 pts front, 20 pts rear
o Homemade (pair) 5 pts front, 5 pts rear
o Stock components (strut towers, suspension
arms, sub-frames) re-drilled/slotted for
adjustment: 0 pts
• Camshaft - Aftermarket, reground or reprofiled
OE camshaft: 50 pts per engine
• Carburetor: 25 points
• CV’s / axles, non-OE (pair): 25 pts
• Cylinder head(s), non-OE and/or non-matching
to your specific engine claimed. 100 pts per
engine.
• Differential cover, non-OE: 5 pts
• Differential swap: 25pts for any diff not originally
available for your year, make, and model or
chassis generation (excluding specialty highperformance models not listed on the VPI table).
Includes axles and CV’s.
• Distributor, non-OE, or aftermarket ignition
system: 20 pts
• Driveshaft, non-OE: 10 pts per single driveshaft
• Dry-sump assembly: 100 pts
• Exhaust header: 25 pts per engine
• Fiberglass/Composite Hood-Bonnet: 25 pts per
engine
• Flywheel / Clutch - Aluminum / performance
“light-weight” SFI recommended rated flywheels
with stock type clutch: 10 pts
• Flywheel / Clutch - Multi-disc and / or smaller
diameter clutch/flywheel systems: 50 pts
• Heim joints: 5 pts each
• Hood Vents - Aftermarket: 2.5 pts each
• Hub, non-OE: 2.5 pts each
• Ignition coil(s), aftermarket: 10 pts
• Intake Manifold: 25 points
• Mounts, non-OE, engine/transmission:
10 pts per engine / 10 pts per transmission
• Offset bushings: 5 pts/corner
• Oil accumulator (e.g. – Accusump): 10 pts
• Oil cooler, non-OE (engine, transmission and/or
differential): 20 pts each
• Oil pan, non-OE: 25 pts
• Power Steering - Electro-Hydraulic Power
Steering conversion - 10 pts
• Pulleys, engine accessory, non-OE: 5 pts for one
pulley, 10 pts for multiple pulleys
• Radiator:
o Non-aluminum, non-OE: 5 pts
o Aluminum non-OE, less than $300: 10pts
o Non-OE, greater than $300: 30 pts
• Shock absorbers / struts with damping/rebound
adjustment, includes remote reservoir, 25 pts per
corner
• Shock / strut-tower reinforcement bar
(commercial or homemade): 10 pts each
• Suspension Springs, non-OE coil springs are
5-points per corner.
Exemption: Vehicles may replace OE coil springs
for 0-points provided that the replacement
spring:
a) Is the same shape as the OE spring
(straight, frustum, beehive/keg, etc.).
b) Maintains the exact same ID/OD
measurements as the OE spring (+/- 0.25”)
when measured at the midpoint and at
each end of the spring.
o Springs may be cut and/or used with
spacers (spring rubbers) for no additional
points
o Shape and measurements must match
when the springs are in their original
unaltered condition.
o Torsion bars may be replaced with non OE
torsion bars for 0-points if they are used
in conjunction with OE mounting points
and hardware.
o Additional leafs may be added to leaf
spring packs for 0-points.
• Adjustable spring perches, or any non-OE part
or modification giving ride height adjustability
10-points per corner. Any metallic spring may be
used in conjunction the adjustable corner for no
additional points.
• Suspension component (not otherwise listed
in this table), non-OE: 10 pts per corner per
component.
• Sway-bar, non-OE, including end-links: 20 pts
each axle
• Throttle Body: 25 points
• Transmission / Transaxle swap:
25pts for any transmission / transaxle from a
vehicle on the VPI list, includes adapters
• Tubular front sub-frame/K-member (bolt on
only): 10 pts
• Turbochargers and superchargers, non-OE: 100
pts
o Parts included with non-OE turbocharger/
supercharger installations are: exhaust/
intake manifold, pressure tubing, cooling
lines, oil lines, and boost control systems.
• Turbocharger and supercharger intercoolers,
non-OE: 25 pts
• Valve train, non-OE: 50 pts per engine
• Wheel spacers/hub adapters: 0 pts set of 4, max.
30mm/1.25” wide, max. 1/wheel
• Materials will be charged at the following rate:
o Interior bulkheads: 0 pts
o Plywood: 1 point per sq.ft.
o Sheet aluminum/steel: 2 points per sq.ft.
o Sheet plastic/polycarbonate/fiberglass:
3 pts per sq.ft.
o CARBON FIBER: NOT ALLOWED
And they wonder why people bitch about the rules. hah
You have 500 points to play with. My car starts at 150. Engine swap, to one of 200hp or less, if 50 points so real starting point is 200 unless I was to start with a 305 4bbl as came with the car.
Like I said this doesn't need to be a max effort build like a drag car. It has to go 15 hours and get some semblance of mileage.
I have considered a 305 with the TFS heads but I'm thinking a TPI 400 will be fewer points, way better low end torque and possibly better mileage.
I'll go through all those articles as I can and see what ideas I get. Thanks again for those.
eta-A lot of the builds change parts of the TPI or change it out completely to something like a Stealthram. A Stealthram isn't a TPI as far as I'm concerned. Only the factory piece is a TPI.