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EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE

Posted By: A/MP

EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 01:56 AM

If you were to use a Valiant/ Cuda for this style protouring race build what would you suggest for front and rear suspension. Keep it ($)reasonable unless you are willing to sponsor the build.
Posted By: amxautox

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 01:58 AM

The Green Brick. Or The Other Car, darn I can't remember the name of it, or the name of the person. It's here in this forum someplace. Recently built. Red Brick I think.
Posted By: 72Swinger

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 02:19 AM

I think an aluminum Gen III Hemi is kinda a prerequisite if you want to win. If that is the case, you will be forced to an aftermarket K member with a rack and pinion to have any chance of a good exhaust. Even a good SB needs fenderwell headers on those cars. The stock suspension can be built to win I am confident there, but, you will also need 500rwhp if you can even be at 2800lbs. To me that is where things get iffy.
Posted By: A/MP

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 02:34 AM

My specs keep the weight under 2800 lbs. Power as per my specs are 700-750HP. I was looking at the Alterkation front end but this protouring and making turns is new to me. Changing course from stock eliminator to Optima Challenge.
Posted By: 340duster340

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 02:37 AM

Quote:

If you were to use a Valiant/ Cuda for this style protouring race build what would you suggest for front and rear suspension. Keep it ($)reasonable unless you are willing to sponsor the build.



i am putting my 66 dart tougher now with FFI everything. springs i got from espo for the rears (6 leaf) and the t-bars are 1.1 MP units.

i am not sure what the rules are for the optima challenge, but your going to want to reinforce the front UCA/shock mount tower for sure. the early a's are really built like beer cans in that department compared to the later cars.
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 02:45 AM

Build the stock suspension similar to the Green Brick and Werner's old car. For that kind of horsepower, you'll need custom headers which really is not a big deal. The guy (LilCuda) who owns my old 66 looked into custom headers probably 25 years ago. He never had them made, but it should be so much easier today than it would have been then.
Posted By: kotacars

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 02:57 AM

Building a car like this is very expensive even more so being a early a body easy to build a 750 hp modern hemi but not cheap suspension is easy
Posted By: jcc

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 03:04 AM

The recent Sebring Optima race had a well sorted out, all the goodies, lots of aero, 650Hp w/26?lbs of boost Neon, it kept up with the faster cars.
Posted By: MuuMuu101

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 04:40 AM

Quote:

The recent Sebring Optima race had a well sorted out, all the goodies, lots of aero, 650Hp w/26?lbs of boost Neon, it kept up with the faster cars.



Member, prrc, is already building a pro-touring 63-65 Valiant with a hopped up SRT engine using the stock suspension locations. He's looking to make about 600 or so hp with a 2400 lb car.
Posted By: Consulier

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 03:28 PM

Quote:

If you were to use a Valiant/ Cuda for this style protouring race build what would you suggest for front and rear suspension. Keep it ($)reasonable unless you are willing to sponsor the build.



Do you want to have fun, or be competitive?

If it's for fun, build whatever you can afford. To be competitive, the driver is more important than the car. Spend your money on the driver and the budget for your car will come down significantly.

In either case, there is no reason to cut the suspension off your car. You can be competitive with torsion bars and leaf springs in both classes, but competitive in the under 3k class will be a lot cheaper.
Posted By: Consulier

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 03:36 PM

Quote:

The recent Sebring Optima race had a well sorted out, all the goodies, lots of aero, 650Hp w/26?lbs of boost Neon, it kept up with the faster cars.



It was fast in under 3k class, but almost 5 seconds off the overall.
Posted By: A/MP

Re: EARLY A BODY OPTIMA CHALLENGE - 09/29/14 05:54 PM

It is a HP/Weight ratio. This is why I choose the early A body. On average they weigh 2750 lbs. With some glass to compensate for the additional weight of roll bar and strengtheners and a 426 stroker motor that should be quite the package. With that being said, I is up to the driver and crew to sort out the car and bring it through the course.
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