Sorry, big broad question here....

I have the drive train (360.727)from my 12 second 3800 lb Dakota I could drop into the dart, just wonder what I'm getting into as far as dealing with an A-Body, not familiar with their construction...

It'll be street stip.
I know I'll need a roll bar, mini tub, built 8 3/4, it's got a 273 in it now...Any quick tips would help...I'm making my decision this afternoon.

Thanks

From what little I know, the largest under chassis header is made by Doug's and it's 1 5/8.......and they're pretty tight.....

IIRC, TTI has thru-the-chassis available for early As. I ran fenderwell headers on my '65 Valiant w/ a 340- I believe they are still available if you don't mind cutting out the inner fender a little. One motor mount is different- you can either modify a mount or buy new from someplace like Schumacher. If you were in the 12s w/ your Dakota, it shouldn't take much to see 11s.
From the Moparts archive-

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/smallblock/11.html

Some good info available here-

http://www.earlycuda.org/tech.htm




Tim

BTW, I've seen several articles referencing replacing the /6 center link (archive article also) but had 2 different '65 /6 Valiants that cleared w/ no problem. I would check first before buying a center link you may not need.


Tim

The 360 will fit with no problem, modify the drivers side (I think, did it once and promptly forgot) engine bracket ( you'll know for sure when you go to bolt it on) to pick up block lug and you will need a spacer, or stack washers to make up the gap.

The 727 will fit with the help of a hammer on the body seam, though you would be further ahead if you kept a 904 in the car; neither Doug's "D" Dart headers nor TTi's (the other under chassis exit header) will clear a 727. Or you could do fenderwells.

A 275/60x15 will fit on an 8 inch rim with a 5 1/2 inch back space, with out a mini tub though just barely, you do need to do the 3/4 inch inboard spring relocation, anything wider will require moving the springs in 3 inches then mini tub.

Upgrade the front end to 73-76 disk brakes, you'll also need the 73-76 upper control arms.

Since the car is already a V8 car, you do not need to change center link.

Hope this helps.

Jim Burch

and it will look way cooler than a Dakota - nothing against the dakotas - just like the 66 body style.

It's pretty easy to run 11's in a narrow A body, one of my friends initially threw his together out of spare parts and ran 12.0's. It had a rebuilt LA 360 with KB 107's, MP292/.508 cam, 1 5/8" hooker semi fenderwells, stock 1.88 heads, stock iron intake and TQ, 998 with cheetah VB and stock converter, 4.88's and 26" slicks on 14" wheels.

It's been evolving the past 12 years and runs 5.70's in the 1/8 now but it made it there a piece at a time.

On the initial build 2.02 valves, a LD340 manifold and 8" converter dropped it to 11.30's, W2's, M1 single plane, MP312/.590, 1 3/4" fenderwells and 28" slicks dropped it to 10.50's.