Too cut or not to cut?

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VonCramp

VonCramp

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I am running my car at the track later this month. Currently, it blows the tires off in 1st and 2nd. I am debating on if I should go with mini tubs or not. My concern is that this car is a 383 4-speed Cuda. Checked the numbers and mine is 1 of 130 made in the 4-speed 'Cuda models. I don't plan on ever selling this car. What would you do?
 
Not sure what I would do beyond running slicks and doing the best bolt-on suspension mods possible to optimize grip. But what I would not do is cut a 1 of 30 Mopar.
I have a friend with a numbers-matching '69 383/4-speed Barracuda if you want a spare. It's for sale since his Alzheimer's is progressing and he can no longer drive. Let me know.
 
ocdart said:
Not sure what I would do beyond running slicks and doing the best bolt-on suspension mods possible to optimize grip. But what I would not do is cut a 1 of 30 Mopar.
I have a friend with a numbers-matching '69 383/4-speed Barracuda if you want a spare. It's for sale since his Alzheimer's is progressing and he can no longer drive. Let me know.
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I would love to have it, but I imagine she is well out of my price range.
 
There are less invasive ways to get the car to hook better. Caltracs mono leafs, better shocks all around, better slicks, i've read that the F.A.S.T guys load the trunk with a bunch of weight. If they can get their cars to hook with bias pizza cutters I think you should be able to find a way without cutting. Just my 2 cents.
 
It is your Car, do as you Please.

However these are getting fewer and far between to find. I would sell it before cutting it up. If the right buyer comes along it may change your mind.

Do you have the fender tag, broadcast sheet, original drive train pieces? If so I would think someone would really like to have it whole.
 
1969383S said:
It is your Car, do as you Please.

However these are getting fewer and far between to find. I would sell it before cutting it up. If the right buyer comes along it may change your mind.

Do you have the fender tag, broadcast sheet, original drive train pieces? If so I would think someone would really like to have it whole.
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Actually, I think what I have are some better than original parts. 340 with forged crank. Aluminum heads. 3:91 suregrip 18 spline a-body four speed (try finding one) . I really like the less weight of the small block. Handles great with the big sway bar.
 
junior636 said:
Give us some info, what tire do you have now? What suspension?
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I am running 15x7 bias ply Firestone tires. I do have super stock springs but they are for b-body. So, the shackles push themselves all the way back against the frame. Doesn't appear to be hurting anything and car drives great. Stock gas shocks. Stock front with big sway bar. Front runner M/T's.
 
Here is Medusa in all her glory.
 

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VonCramp said:
I am running 15x7 bias ply Firestone tires. I do have super stock springs but they are for b-body. So, the shackles push themselves all the way back against the frame. Doesn't appear to be hurting anything and car drives great. Stock gas shocks. Stock front with big sway bar. Front runner M/T's.
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your springs are so long they have the rear shackle pushed all the way to the rear??????? WOW, fix that FIRST thing
 
replicaracer43 said:
your springs are so long they have the rear shackle pushed all the way to the rear??????? WOW, fix that FIRST thing
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If you are serious about hooking , re-read the above.
As many times as you need to until it sinks in.
Sway bar ?
Not my first choice for a drag car..........unless it is on the rear.
More tire isn't going to fix the basic problems you have now.
I'd strongly suggest tying the sub frames together too , but now we are into cutting territory.
If you don't have the correct motor , trans , rear ............. get to carving.
You aren't going to significantly impact the value as opposed to a numbers matching car.
 
As time goes by doing things like frame connectors is a favor to all to keep your ride from flopping around like a fish and mini-tub's are practical upgrades as soon we won't have any 14" tires to roll on, everything is going 16+.

I'd say do it.
 
I wouldn't cut it unless it is a dime-a don car.....your data says 1 of 130?

no way, Jose'
 
You can get enough tire under the car to hook without tubbing. Get the chassis to work.
 
FIRST thing is lose the Firesone bias tires! If you want hook, get some sticky drag radials for the track, or your "spiritred" driving outings.

Tying the frames will make you think it's a brand new car in all phases of driving. You don't have to cut the floor either, add some that are below the floor.

In the end, it's YOUR car...do want YOU want.

But if it were mine and 1 of 130, I wouldn't tub it. There are PLENTLY of ways to make it hook. Ask the Stock Eliminator and FAST guys...
 
Yeah, never going to hook with those tires. Guys are running in the 7's all day on 275 radials. I would get you a good set of et streets and then evaluate if you need any suspension. How fast is this thing likely to go in the quarter?
 
Stick shift car with a very limited chassis, the tire is acting as a band aid until the rest of the car is up to snuff. Because it's a manual (they are not easy to make work with a radial tire guys) I would suggest from personal experience tuning suspension on a 340 4spd barracuda a tire like the MT ET Street bias ply. The new MT 275 pro will work (dad uses it high 11 fastback stick with SS springs and nice shocks) but it has terrible street manners, worse than the ET Street bias ply
 
You can run the ET street 28x11x15 Its 27 Inchs tall fits on a standard 8 inch wheel with 4-1/2 back space or seven but you wont get the back space. The tire will hit the lower fender you don't have to cut. add a spacer 3/8 inch in front of the forward spring eye mount. if you have heavy duty springs then clamp them add a pinion snubber add pinion taper wedge to drop the nose of the pinion. Super stock springs would help but if set up you can get it to work. I ran exact combo you will need some decent shocks. I would not add sub frame connectors unless you drive it hard and a lot. If the tire rubs on one side and not the other its common as the rear ends werent centered well. You can remove and replace the spring perches once you have the rear end centered. It sound s like a lot but if you plan and take measurements it will work and can be returned to stock.
 
you would be an idiot to cut the car like that.

fix the suspension issues and you'll be fine.
 
Agreed, put the correct springs on the car and get some sticky tires (Hoosier QTP, Micky ET street, Hoosier DR, etc.). From your description you should have no problem hooking what power you have on a small tire....as long as it is the right tire AND the correct suspension.

....and no choppy choppy....
 
junior636 said:
Yeah, never going to hook with those tires. Guys are running in the 7's all day on 275 radials. I would get you a good set of et streets and then evaluate if you need any suspension. How fast is this thing likely to go in the quarter?
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Probably very high 12's or low 13's. That's all.
 
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