mcmopar
Well-Known Member
As I mentioned in some previous posts I'm currently in the planning stages to take my car down and set it up according to the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags specs. I spoke with Bob "Mr. Six Pack" Karakashian earlier this week because I wanted to get his input on what is needed and to see if his cam would work in my 383. He said a lot of 383 guys are running his cam with good results and he also gave me some tips on how to set it up so I'll be getting one of his cam/lifter kits sometime later on this year. We must have talked for over half an hour. He is a really cool guy and extremely helpful. He told me about some of the new rules going into effect this year; most notably the new rule which allows an increase in compression ratio of 1.5 points over stock and it does not matter how you achieve this; i.e. either through milling the heads, replacing the pistons or any combination thereof. This is great news since my current engine already has 0.030 over TRW L2293 domed forged aluminum pistons installed. All I'll have to do is disassemble the engine, check clearances, hone the cylinders if they check out, install new rings and bearings, cam and lifters and bolt on a set of cleaned up 906 heads (of which I already have a pair) and go to town. I'll be in the market for a 2.5" exhaust system but I already have the exhaust manifolds. I'll need to get a set of MP stamped rocker arms. One of the rules changes is that roller rockers are no longer allowed - stock rockers only. That's not a big deal since I get a rather nice discount through a local dodge dealer who sponsors our local Mopar club.
Bob also told me that the guys running the bias belted tires are hooking up better than the guys with radials but since I can't afford the $199 price tag per tire for the Firestone Wide Oval G70x14 bias ply tires I'm looking at a set of Firestone Firehawk 225/70R-14 radial tires. I have a quote of just over $363 out the door for a set of 4 tires which is more within my means. Once I have the AVS carb I'm all set and ready to go racing!
And when I'm just tooling around town I can put the Performer RPM and either the Holley 750 or my Carter Competition AFB 4 bbl carb that is presently on my Polara. Too bad I can't use that for the PSMCD setup (has to be the stock carb from 1969).
I've been bench racing with my buddy Jim and we have been kicking around some good combinations. It seems to me a 1970 383 road runner with an automatic trans would be the primo 383 combination due to the fact that;
1. The 383 uses a Holley carb which outflows the Carter AVS used in '69 by a good bit.
2. Maximum tire size would be an H60x15 bias ply (or radial equivalent) on the 15" Rallye wheel. It is true that the 440-6 bbl used a 15" wheel but the tire size was limited to F70x15 if I remember correctly (please chime in if I am wrong). Per the PSMCD rules I am allowed one tire size larger than stock so an F70 can be upgraded to a G70. Since the '70 model came with a an optional upgrade to G60x15 tires on the 15" Rallyes I could either stay with that size or go to the H60x15's. All 4 tires must be the same size unless the factory used staggered size tires like the AAR and T/A Challengers did.
3. Automatics are allowed a shift improver kit and a 1" smaller diameter converter. This would definitely allow for higher stall and better control than a 4 speed could provide. The 727 must be utilized - no trick racing transmissions with lightweight internals are allowed.
Another possibility that looks intriguing is a '72-74 road runner with a 400 engine (with the big 800 cfm ThermoQuad carb) and automatic trans. Since the compression can be raised by up to 1.5 points this would put the 400 at a 10.29:1 ratio which would be ideal. Granted, the intake, heads and exhaust manifolds aren't quite as good as the '68-'70 units but it would still be a very potent combination based on the carb, tire size and transmission. Any rear axle ratio you desire to run is allowed.
Of course, I could eventually just put in a 3 speed wiper motor conversion (mine is 2 speed) and drop a 440-6bbl in my car, too. The only down side to the '69 is the tire size. A '70 would be a far better setup just on tire size alone.
Clone cars are allowed but must be set up according to factory availability (no 440 Dusters, Demons, etc).
At any rate, since I am working again it affords me the opportunity to ponder my options once again. What I will eventually end up with is anyone's guess. Perhaps I will one day sell my bird and acquire the 1970 road runner I've always dreamed about. Who knows? We will just have to wait and see.
Bob also told me that the guys running the bias belted tires are hooking up better than the guys with radials but since I can't afford the $199 price tag per tire for the Firestone Wide Oval G70x14 bias ply tires I'm looking at a set of Firestone Firehawk 225/70R-14 radial tires. I have a quote of just over $363 out the door for a set of 4 tires which is more within my means. Once I have the AVS carb I'm all set and ready to go racing!
And when I'm just tooling around town I can put the Performer RPM and either the Holley 750 or my Carter Competition AFB 4 bbl carb that is presently on my Polara. Too bad I can't use that for the PSMCD setup (has to be the stock carb from 1969).
I've been bench racing with my buddy Jim and we have been kicking around some good combinations. It seems to me a 1970 383 road runner with an automatic trans would be the primo 383 combination due to the fact that;
1. The 383 uses a Holley carb which outflows the Carter AVS used in '69 by a good bit.
2. Maximum tire size would be an H60x15 bias ply (or radial equivalent) on the 15" Rallye wheel. It is true that the 440-6 bbl used a 15" wheel but the tire size was limited to F70x15 if I remember correctly (please chime in if I am wrong). Per the PSMCD rules I am allowed one tire size larger than stock so an F70 can be upgraded to a G70. Since the '70 model came with a an optional upgrade to G60x15 tires on the 15" Rallyes I could either stay with that size or go to the H60x15's. All 4 tires must be the same size unless the factory used staggered size tires like the AAR and T/A Challengers did.
3. Automatics are allowed a shift improver kit and a 1" smaller diameter converter. This would definitely allow for higher stall and better control than a 4 speed could provide. The 727 must be utilized - no trick racing transmissions with lightweight internals are allowed.
Another possibility that looks intriguing is a '72-74 road runner with a 400 engine (with the big 800 cfm ThermoQuad carb) and automatic trans. Since the compression can be raised by up to 1.5 points this would put the 400 at a 10.29:1 ratio which would be ideal. Granted, the intake, heads and exhaust manifolds aren't quite as good as the '68-'70 units but it would still be a very potent combination based on the carb, tire size and transmission. Any rear axle ratio you desire to run is allowed.
Of course, I could eventually just put in a 3 speed wiper motor conversion (mine is 2 speed) and drop a 440-6bbl in my car, too. The only down side to the '69 is the tire size. A '70 would be a far better setup just on tire size alone.
Clone cars are allowed but must be set up according to factory availability (no 440 Dusters, Demons, etc).
At any rate, since I am working again it affords me the opportunity to ponder my options once again. What I will eventually end up with is anyone's guess. Perhaps I will one day sell my bird and acquire the 1970 road runner I've always dreamed about. Who knows? We will just have to wait and see.
