Scot buying "american muslce"

JJ_ · 03-26-06, 05:08

Hey guys how are you ?

I have been contemplating this idea for a while now and I have basically got a list of some cars that I like and would like to own, unfrotunately I can only buy one until I win the lotto

So here are some of the cars, could you please help me with the engines as the U.K. vehicles seem to be much smaller and since the car's came from your shore then Im guessing ill have some petrol heads here.

Chevy first
-Chevelle
-Camaro

Dodge
-Charger
-Challaneger

Road Runner not too clued up on these but I like em!

Ford stang 68/69

Enginer wise I have been given the following infomartion.

Mopars 440/383 for big blocks or 340/360 for small blocks.

Ford 351 or the 427

Chevvy the 350, 396, 427 and 454

What do you guys feel about these figures as ford goes we get a lot of 69 stangs with 289 engines but I have been advised against them as they are a tad slow?

Im obviously looking to ship it over if I purchase it from here do you guys know much about this area as I have NO idea when it comes to that.

Thanks very much guys

John.

Prometheus · 03-26-06, 07:01

With any of the GM products, you can literally stick just about anything in them. Personally, I really like the Camaro with a 428 or a 396. Either way, when you step on it, it'll go. My dad has a GTO with a 428 police interceptor in it, and that thing will really make your hair stand up.

Big Block challenger would be amazing as well, but finding a 440 will probably be hard unless you get a crate engine.

I'm not really a Ford guy, but to my basic knowledge the 351 is almost bullet proof, and the 427 is rock solid as well, but only get like 8 mpg.

Hope this has helped.

Accumulator · 03-26-06, 08:07

I really only know about the MOPARs (Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler). I've lost count of how many my parents and I had, so this is first-hand experience.

They'll either take a small block (318, 340, 360) or a big block (383, 440), or a Hemi (426). (There are a few other sizes but those are the common ones). It's a pain to switch the K-members to change a small block to a big block, for instance, so get one set up for what you want to run.

IMO the six-pack (three two-barrel carburators, but *not* something modified by the ignorant) is the way to go on both engines. Very nice setup, but a little tricky to make work right with an automatic (stays OK once it's set up properly though).

Challengers, Barracudas, Cudas seem happiest with small blocks. They handle well for what they are. These are called "E-bodies". Sorta like the Chrysler version of the Camaro/Mustang

Chargers, Cornets, Roadrunners, Super Bees, GTXs, etc. are called "B-bodies" and FWIW I like them better (but that's just because I grew up in them). Roadrunners are fun, I always liked their simple, business-like nature. They never seemed all that huge to me, but compared to today's cars these things are pretty big and they're bigger than the E-bodies, that's for sure.

The manual shift ones are easy to drive and pretty sturdy. The automatics are good but have to be set up properly (beware of autos modified by the ignorant). Chrysler suspensions aren't bad for how crude they are (beware of suspensions modified by the ignorant). The brakes are so-so, which means terrible by today's standards.

BUT..big "but" and "sorry in advance" to all the muscle-car nuts

I've had a bunch of these things; my family had a lot of them new and I started buying/driving them when they were just a few years old. They aren't always as much fun as people expect. There are a lot of boring, modern cars that'll beat 'em even in acceleration (let alone handling and braking). Just IMO of course, but most of these things are more cool as historical artifacts than as transportation. A 440 six-pack in a Roadrunner *is* a nice setup though, and is pretty practical as a driver. Just make sure you really like driving such a car before you invest a lot in one.

JJ_ · 03-26-06, 11:08

Thanks very much as always your very helpful!

The guy im using can get me a 318 '69 charger but I just didn't think it would be able to pull the charger too much ?

I also have the chance of a dodge coronet with a 383 big block, which is nice good condition too

Ideally I would like a charger, road runner or chevelle.

Accumulator · 03-26-06, 01:58

I had a '68 Charger (basically the same thing except for the tail lights) with a 318 and it was a dog. I got rid of it right away and went back to big blocks. Just too much car for that little 318 (too much for a 340/360 too IMO but they're a little better).

The Coronet with the 383 sounds a lot better, but if it's a 2-barrel carb you'll want to upgrade to a 4 barrel and it'll take a little tinkering to get the automatic (assuming it has one) to kickdown just right. And you can't just let that go or it'll mess with the transmission in a big way. A lot of bigger MOPARs came with low-performance 383s. Two barrel carbs, single exhaust, etc. But it's better to start with a big block car with stuff like this.

I was never *that* impressed with the suspension of the Chevelles (two of my best friends had 396 Chevelles, a '69 and a '70 IIRC). I always thought my MOPARs handled better and I drove their cars enough to have a feel for them.

Prometheus · 03-26-06, 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

it'll take a little tinkering to get the automatic (assuming it has one) to kickdown just right.

I know there are kits available that basically consist of weights and springs that will do the job on various transmissions. Basically makes the transmission it is running at lower rpm's than it really is, so it downshifts more readily.

2000firebird · 03-26-06, 06:45

this might help a little

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

JJ_ · 03-27-06, 05:04

Thanks firebird but they don't list most of the mopar engines

Oh well.

Accumulator · 03-27-06, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

I know there are kits available that basically consist of weights and springs that will do the job on various transmissions. Basically makes the transmission it is running at lower rpm's than it really is, so it downshifts more readily.

Nah, that's not what I'm referring to. Those are "shift kits" and other modifications that affect the internal pressures/etc. and thus control how the trans does its thing. What I'm talking about is how the MOPARs depend on external, mechanical kickdown linkage that connects the trans to the carb(s). Whenever people try to get around this, it turns out badly. This is sort of a "dirty little secret" that people don't mention too often but those of us who've played with these things (and learned our lessons the hard way) know that it can be a little thing that turns into a *huge* issue in real life (as opposed to when guys are just BSing).

Heh heh, this thread is a) a good test of my memory and b) a trip down memory lane. I haven't thought about TorqueFlite kickdown linkage since forever (my last B-body was a stick). OK, I'll admit it- I paid an old guy to set up my automatics for me. He knew what he was doing and my friends and I didn't.

JJ_ · 03-27-06, 10:10

lol! yeah its a good thread lets me learn more about the cars.

Im currently now looking at some roadrunners, coronetts etc all with 383 or 440 engines. Here's hoping!

Prometheus · 03-28-06, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Nah, that's not what I'm referring to. Those are "shift kits" and other modifications that affect the internal pressures/etc. and thus control how the trans does its thing. What I'm talking about is how the MOPARs depend on external, mechanical kickdown linkage that connects the trans to the carb(s). Whenever people try to get around this, it turns out badly. This is sort of a "dirty little secret" that people don't mention too often but those of us who've played with these things (and learned our lessons the hard way) know that it can be a little thing that turns into a *huge* issue in real life (as opposed to when guys are just BSing).

I think I gotcha now. Guess I didn't realize exactly what you were referring to earlier.

Accumulator · 03-28-06, 10:03

Yeah, the kickdown linkage and its idiosyncrasies are one of those weird little things you'd probably only know about if you played around with the MOPARs back in the day. People mess the transmissions up and end up going with full-manual valvebodies to get around the whole issue (which is a pretty crappy fix for a street car IMO).