Vintage drag race question

glockr said

Is anyone here old enough to remember what D/Modified Production cars ran in the mid 1960's? Did they run flat tappet or roller cams in M/P back then? Found this pic in an old book and though it would be cool to build a tribute engine. Just wondering what the performance potential might be. I have a 273 core but might use a 318 just b/c it's easier (cheaper) to get a set of forged 318 pistons. Not really interested in making it a 360 or a stroker.

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I wouldn't use these as a formula to imitate, unless you want the drivability of a race car, back in the day 1 hp per cid was a fairly radical engine now days you can do it fairly mild, heads is the biggest factor in doing this, heads that make good power with mild cams is gonna be more streetable than the other way around. Next main problem is rpm and gearing needed to make decent power numbers, depending on your goal 0.9:1-1.2:1 hp per cid is a reasonable range, thats peak power in the 4700-6300 rpm range give or take. I'd would look into running magnum heads or at least LA 360 heads on a 273. 318 can run pretty much anything.

But if you want a rowdy 273, needs 6000-7000 rpm with deep gears by all means
Put in a stout solid cam with 10:1 cr and stock ish heads.