1975 duster

[beau]

I am looking for some ideas on what engine I should run in my 75 duster for a drag car and what suspension works well with them thanks for your info

 

[Divenut]

Hi Beau,

Can you provide a few more details related to your goals?

Budget?
Target ET?
Auto/Manual Trans?
Skill set?


Pat

 

[beau]

I am looking to get to the 10-13 et I will prob go with a auto and skills i drag race for years I got a 340 right now but I think that will stay in my dart and just looking for some ideas

 

[JoeDust451]

Do you want 10s or 13s?, thats a big margin, 13s is a breeze, just install a mild 360 magnum with alittle gear/stall & its done, for 10s look into a 400(451) or 440, I ran high 10s with my 75 Duster, Just lighten it up, I ripped the bumpers/bracing off mine F&R, that alone was worth 186 lbs., install an aluminum radiator, racing seats & left the rest of the interior in other then the back seat, MS & Brakes, still had all the steel/glass, car weighed right at 3000 lbs. without me.

 

[1 fst Dart]

If a race only car start cutting everything in sight. All hood, trunk and door bracing all hinge springs, dashboard ( I gutted mine and saved the shell) light weight wheels, front tires, remove any undercoating, all seats install 1 racing seat, bumper brackets use lightweight steel or aluminum tubing for brackets, headlights and associated structure. Use a fuel cell and motor plate cutting all engine mounts off K frame. this will get you below 3000 lbs the add 500+ horsepower engine of your choice and suspension to match and you have a 10 second car. Cost 12 -15 K Now go do it!

 

[Locomotion]

Stick with a small block, preferably a 360. Easiest and cheaper to build with less weight on the nose than a big block. Start simple, SS springs, 6 cyl torsion bars, good race shocks. I use Rancho rears and Koni SPA-1 fronts. Some cheaper drag shocks can work well in many cases. Keep weight in the rear to help traction. 1975 was the heaviest year for Dusters and Dart Sports.

Don't cut too much out of the car. Gotta keep the structural integrity. In fact, frame connectors will help a lot and, if you go that route, tie in an 8-point roll bar into them.

Start slow and don't get carried away with performance mods. Learn how to tune your carb. Lots of good books are out there on Holleys. Consistency wins more bracket races than speed. Focus on that for starters with basic speed mods.

 

[beau]

Thanks for the info everything that's needs to go is gone 10 roll cage is going in soon along with my seat and cell car is bout to get paint put on long winter gives me alot of time to play around with it I was thinking bout a 360 won't get 10 but it will but I am even thinking bout the 426

 

[HemiDenny]

Excellant advise Myron...where the heck were you in '74?.....you would have saved me a boatload of $$$$

Denny

 

[Locomotion]

Excellant advise Myron...where the heck were you in '74?.....you would have saved me a boatload of $$$$

Denny

LOL Hey, don't make me any older than I am. Sorry, but I was getting myself in trouble on the street with my Challenger. I didn't start racing till '78, but I'm still learning things after all these years.