Lucky Me, Now What
i can tell you one thing though. there is nothing like driving a big block a-body.
You're right-on about that !Too much fun ; nothing compares to it !
don't listen to the oldheads that tell you they are dangerous on the street and the way they handle.
Back when the cars were new , and even into the 70's and 80's , they had a greater potential of becoming a bear to operate . Crappy , hockypuck tyres ; limited tyre sizes ; and limited wheel sizes (exasperated by that stupid 5x4" bolt pattern ! ).
there are tons of choices out there to get a big block to handle damn good..
I've operated a '69 Dart with a 496" / Art Carr 727 combo , and it was setup properly :
- Direct Connection Big Block Spool K-Member (long ago discontinued)
- Subframe Connectors
- Underchassis Headers (
very expensive )
- 16:1 steering box ( original to the car , as it was a 340 Swinger originally)
- 14x8 rear wheels ( widened original steel wheels )
- Radiator from a 70's New Yorker (28" wide ; core support neatly modified to accommodate the wider radiator core )
- 7 paddle fan with thermal-drive clutch (from a big block '78 Monaco ex-CHP unit)
- Manual disc brakes (original Kelsey-Hayes 4 piston calipres , with stainless sleeves and DOT 5 silicone brake fluid )
- Super Stock springs , de-arched
- Sway bars front
and rear
This car was built in the early-to-mid-80's . The car's builder did it up nicely ; he didn't skimp on the details .
It actually handled in spite of itself ; the subframe connectors , the slightly-lowered stance , and the sway bars all helped monumentally.
Even though the front wheels were the original 14x5.5" steelies with 205-70-14's , it still cornered smoothly.
Now a days , it even easier to do-up a big block "A" .