Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

Last year when the 69 lost 3hp I questioned this and here is the response I got ...

.Sam,

The 69 and 73 are different in that they use different intake manifolds, different combustion chamber volumes, different deck clearances, and different head gasket thickness'.

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

Probably what happend was in 68 was the first emissions regs, and downward since then. I have the parts books back to 1960 if anybody needs something looked up. They are the old paper books, therefore I can look up stuff in them. On the computer, I am not allowed to learn to look up stuff. I really don't understand that, but then again...........

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

Then I stand corrected. If those engines are unique, then they should get unique HP adjustments.
And after looking at the class guides, the 1969 318 was reduced in all models, not just Dart. So if you have a Coronet, Swinger, Dart, station wagon; whatever, the 318 2bbl is now 172 HP.
But the 1973 was Valiant / Duster / Barracuda & 'Cuda only and not the rest of the larger car line.

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

Now you want consistency out of this outfit, for all the money spent? Jeez!

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

You're obviously a respected player in this game, Billy. But, good 69 Darts, and the parts needed, are getting a little scarce, don't you think? -Don't get me wrong, I love seeing combos that were never good before, become good. I never understood why so many cars weren't good before. I guess it had something to do with the muscle cars versus any other stock car. "Stock" was maybe about muscle cars, and not so much all of the other cars that we grew up with and were plenty happy to race , though NHRA didn't see it the same way.

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

There is a Division 5 guy that is always at the Topeka Nationals (with his family).....his car is a P/SA...I believe a 69 Dart....what does that make it, a 318 2 bbl? He is always there and I have often wanted to help him in one way or another....he can't run within .4 of the index. However, If I remember correctly, he went to the finals at Kearney, Nebraska race in the fall. Seems like he had 2 red lights and a broken car race against him......what a great story for a Dime rocket that can't run the index.

I said that all that to say this......This guy obviously does not have the money to commit to racing (great looking family), but he goes racing....isn't that what it is all about.....I don't know if his combo could become competitive, but that is what he races. However, I would bet that about $500 in engine work would get him to the index or better with his 2 bbl car.

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

If you have to buy a nice Dart GT or any kind of 2dr yes. If I were wanting to do something like that I wouldn't want to cut up a nice survivor car anyway. At this stage of the game, I really don't approve of cutting up nice, semi-collectible cars. NHRA has given racers that have an existing car and can't afford a 340/440 car or banged their 15k 340 and want to go racing an alternative.
The reduction (for this combo) is given across the board. You can do a 4dr Dart or Coronet or a big wagon and they can be found reasonably.
If you're willing to do a "different" engine combo then why not a "different" body style?

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

I like the 4 door Dart idea. Thick rim glasses and an old metal flake helmet would be a requirement. Maybe a pair of "Bata Bullets", too. :-) Wagons tend to over load trailers! Seriously though, I get your point. As I attempted to say above (poorly written), I'm always glad to see the cars that never fit, in the mix.

I know you know (maybe somebody will read this who is learning) , the car chosen would be the one that fits the best overall. One reason Mike Smith and I chose the 71 (actually a 72 Satellite body) Road Runner (the red one) that we ran briefly in the mid 90's (We ran you once at an E-Town points race, you may recall, good race, you won!) was because it could've been run as a 71 or 72, Satellite, Road Runner and with just about every motor Mopar made. Different compression's, too, since they dropped after 71. Another thing we considered when we built it, besides the car itself, was the class. We built it for D/SA initially because there weren't that many fast ones around Div. 1 at that time. We weren't fast!

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

You guys are tough. I just happen to think a metalflake helment is pretty, and I had red shoes on when I won Indy, but on the glasses, my children made me change them. I only use them for driving anyway. This Christmas my oldest grandson (age 18) was telling me that the new plaid shirt I was wearing was very stylish. It is about 20 or older and I think it's back for another run. Maybe I'm just old.

Re: Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers
 

About a month older than me, Jeff. So, yes you are. LOL