Hello all! This is one of my first post on the boards. My name is Dave and have a 1972 Cuda. I happened across here doing research on traction devices for my car. Reason for this is that I recently ran the Cuda at Rockingham Dragway here in NC. I drove it 2 hours to the track lowered the M/T drag radials (275s) down to 15 psi and went a best of 11.38 @ 116.9 mph, aired back up the tires and drove home. 60 ft time was a 1.648. What do you guys think of this based on my combo and what could I do with the exsisting engine to possibly go low 11 possibly high 10s. Combo is as follows:
*416 Stroker using a 69 340 block.
*Eagle crank & rods. Ross pistons
*10.5 to 1 compression
*Ederbrock performer heads fully ported.
*Victor 340 air gap intake.
*Demon 750 carb
*Comp solid roller .555 single pattern .244 @ 50
*Timing at 36 degrees total
*TTI long tube headers w/ full 3 inch full exhaust w/ x pipe
*727 reverse v.b. and PTC 4000 stall
*8 3/4 rear w/ 3:73 gears
*Completely stock suspension save for some cheap front shocks and 20 year old air shocks out back.

Thats about it. I'll add the car is full weight and other than the wheels (welds) appears all original. I just ordered Caltracs for it and think that will help the 60 ft times. I'll also add that the weather was muggy and mid 90s. Air density was around 2700ft. Rockingham is near sea level so I hope in better air it will go quicker. This place seems loaded with info and look forward to being here!!

Welcome Dave....Did it spin any? bring the air up to 18 psi. Could use a bit of a higher gear, like 3.91. Light is right, try to get out all the wieght you can and you will be in the tens. Timing might be a tad to high, the old cuda with a 416 liked 30..Phill

Well, you drove to the track on pump gas and street tires, and with a mild but well thought out combo - clicked off some solid lower 11's, Nothing broke and you drove back home 2 hours in that sweet looking Cuda. I'd say you did pretty darn good!

Thanks! The tires are the Mickey Thompson Drag Radials. 275/60/15s. I tried 18 psi and seemed to spin harder. When I cut a 1.64 I rolled into the gas not to hit the convertor hard and had very little spin that I could tell. I have been thinking about a 3.91 gear as I need to at least change the center section to a 489 case. It has a 741 in it now and we know what will happen to it as soon as it get solid traction!!! I dont know what to do to lose weight. I dont want to take away from the stock "look".

I agree; small block car, two hour drive, runs hard, and drives back home... in a good looking car, no less... way cool.



A lot of guys have had good results with stock springs and caltracs; hope it knocks some time off the 60's for ya'.

BTW, what convertor are you running?

-Bill

Its a PTC 4000 stall. The tranny also has a trans brake but there is not since in hooking it up until I can get good traction and upgrade the rear end.

Nice car! Like everyone has said before drove it there and back with some good numbers. I'm sure there is a bit left in it with just playing around with your timing, carb tuning and shift points. Good luck!

DANA 60 and better shocks out back and work on your front end travel... doesnt look like much at all there!

You did great in that sweet Cuda. Yor 60 could be a tad better but for the suspension you have it worked great. My best 60 in my mid 11 second 63 is a 1.59 and I average in the low 1.60's. My suspension is stock with SS springs but I hear Caltracs work better then SS springs. That a very good running and looking Cuda. Ron

Welcome aboard...I think you will find some useful info here, as well as....well, umm other stuff too. Come on in the water is fine BTW nice looking Cuda

i think you did great, any idea of what the car weighs? may want to tweak the timing a bit, little lower? nice looking ride

I would say your combo produced real good results for first time out. you may find little bits hear and there like 60 foot maybe open exhaust to nibble on the 10's great gob of putting your combo together.

Sounds like a good running combo. Like Phil said, try some more air pressure. I've been 1.38 sixty foots on 275-60 radials at about 17.5 psi, haven't tried any more than that, but I run 20 psi in my 295-65 radials and have been 1.32 sixty foots.
Rockingham's track prep usually leaves a lot to be desired too. I will never go back there for a test and tune again. Even during an event it's been slippery for me.

I agree with getting more frontend travel. Make sure your front shocks are long enough, most are not. You may need some shock extensions to keep the shocks from bottoming out. Trim the UCA bump stop for more travel also.

As far as making it lighter, I am in the same boat as you. I wouldn't want to cut it up or take away from the "stock" look.

Your car looks VERY similar to mine when I first started racing it...blue, stock hood, and weld draglites. Nice car! CHIP

Nice talking the other afternoon Dave...definetly a nice looking cuda!

Car appears to be squatting....shocks...pinion snubber...springs....traction bars in my case....though the caltracs should put some bite into your ride...

The trap speed is telling me that you're ETing at the limit for that speed........which is surprising considering that you have a relatively tight converter......... so, I'm guessing that the motor is running out of steem at the end of the track? maybe fuel pressure is falling off???........

If it's still running fine down there, then you're ETing better for the speed you're running the first time out than 99% of the people do.........

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me Brian. I'm still in awe over your set up and look forward to doing something simular!!!