Making it mine/Bigcube's Dart, Update

As some of you know I bought Jim's(Bigcube) Dart a while back and have been marking it mine.
It will have a new gen3 Hemi/904 combo now and will be a well used bracket car now. Just thought
I would share a few pics. I am starting to get a little excited to see how this thing is going to run.

It will weigh in less now with new dash. Light steering column. Fiberglass deck lid. Smaller fuel cell.
439"alum block gen3 Hemi, lt weight protrans 904, smaller radiator, 1 seat, 1 battery with a lot less wire.
New wheels/tires

As with most projects it has grown, but for me that is normal. This is the 1st new Hemi I have been into
looks like it should make some steam, but I know some will not like it because it does not have a distributor (Hi John)

A few more

A couple more pics

Looks good!

VERY nice upgrades. How soon till it hits the track???

Looks great! Best of luck with it.

This summer John.if I don't blow it up on the Dyno (ha ha)

Great, Im Drooling Again....

Can we get any engine build secrets or is that top secret. Lol. I for one look forward to results in a lighter type of car.

John it is no secret.

Arrow/mopar alum. block 4.155 bore x 4.05 stroke 12.5 comp, 6.125 rod 2.0 bearing .866 pin. With 1.5, 1.5 3.0 mm alky rings

Heads are 6.4 apache with some Brett Miller love, 2.14 / 1.65 stock valves, PSI 1515ml beehives with tiny ti retainers

Cam is hyd roller 258/264@ .050 .636/.620 lift 108 center. Intake is a Tall Ritter that Brett reshaped the plenum some / ported.

1050 e85 dom carb, hemi 6 ign, 1 7/8 to 2" step headers

This is my learn about gen3's motor. I will do a solid roller set up and try to make a little more power later

Lookin good, Rod!

Thats a good lookin set up you have.. should run very well for you

M



Is that a custom ring pack and is that actual true valve lift with your rocker ratio. Sounds like a killler package. Goodluck

looks awesome, can you get a air filter on under the cowl hood?

Thanks for the encouragement guys

John- ring pack is a total seal # CSH2012 35 .

Forrest- not really enough height for a big air cleaner. I have the shorter manifold too that I may try at some point with a air cleaner that will be a
science experiment.

Looks Very Nice! Looking forward to results.

cool build all ways loved jims dart seen it at Norwalk years ago it went in the 8s

I always wondered where that car went. Very nice, what wheels did you go with ? The trunk stripe is on backwards, sorry but I had to tell you. Glad it’s going to get used. How long until you get to make passes? Will be curious to see what it runs.👍

and no mention of the mythical unicorn Mopar engine here??? That’s right kids.... you’re looking at a REAL 440 HEMI! The one we’ve all had to endure listening as some 1/2 brain 3/4 race cam nimwit told us of “the one he had back in the day”.... (unable to grab $20 bill off dash option available)

Looks amazing .. I have to say it will be another amazing car ..and welcome to the world of multiple layer fire suits and sweat...

Wow, very nice! Love the fact you're going with the gen 3 platform. The more builds, the more recipes to learn from!

What will be the redline with the hydraulic cam? I've heard there have been a lot of improvements in that area.

Greendart-- ﹰI was just happy to sort of get the ends of the trunk stripe to line up with the old quarterpanel stripe

J body. You get the small tasteful unicorn stickers and I'll run them. Ha ha

Joel. The target RPM is about 7200, I have been told no problem, we will see soon on the dyno

Others. thanks for the kind words and encouragement


At the track with the old car today, it is a happy car. Makes me question the sanity of building another car.

I completely understand that, I have done 3 stripes myself. Can be a challenge sometimes. Cool car for sure

Much to like here....I have seen the car around for a long time , and maybe I am not a purist , but I like the changes.
Looking forward to seeing how it works for you.

The "Quarter turn" fastener is a nice touch.

Curious if there are any future plans for EFI?

[/quote]

The "Quarter turn" fastener is a nice touch.

Curious if there are any future plans for EFI? [/quote]

A few people get that joke, it made me laugh so it is staying on the car.

Never say never on the EFI, but bracket racing on e85 I just do not see much advantage to it. I like simple

Any pics with the new rims?

I'm looking forward to seeing/hearing how it runs with that 440 hemi!

Hey Jim, are you buying another car to replace it, or are you just done with the hobby?

EFI is da bomb, but if you like fiddling with jets, squirters, etc., then keep it simple.

Done with the fast stuff for now. I have a Jeep SRT-8 I play with a little and have been thinking of trading that for something else. For now I've just been concentrating on fixing my house so I can sell it and get more land. Good to hear from you Dave!.

Keep up the good work Rod! Everything looks great!

Jim you know to me it is a 439" to avoid that confusion.

I would like to publiclly thank Jim again for building a good car that I can make mine, and use for the way I will race it. It will see a lot of track time.

None with it on the ground. They are Weld Alumastars with 32-14/15 stiff sidewall Mickeys to start with

I'm happy to see it go to a good racer/builder and see it raced again! It should run great. Will be so cool to see how it does with the Gen3 in it! I crunched some numbers, that car always ran what it should with the power it had. 700hp @ 2800 lbs and it will go 9.40-9.20 depending on air. If you get it up to 750-800hp it will go 9.oh's or better. I'm guessing at weight savings and HP but It should be a very consistent bracket car. Foot brake around here is 9.0 or slower so it would be bottom of the class. You will be doing a lot of chasing!

Looking good cant wait to see it in person. One that "got away" but life is all about timing.

Thanks for posting the updates, I've always loved that car.

Wow. So cool. I dig it.

It's especially nice that it was "kept in the family" so to speak.

I like that

VERY nice!

Looks like you're strong on your changes. I too just went thru changing someone elses racecar & making it mine. I even went as far as changing to year of the car with different tail lights, headlight decal & factory kinda looking side stripes. It looks like a totally different car yet people still say, oh that's whatshisfaces car. Grrr.

That is just a fact of life and will likely never go away...Especially if it is a well known or unique car

Well this project had a few set backs last year. Was racing my other Dart (won the Pro class at Irwindale Summit series)
Also had some health issues (I lost a kidney, with a tumor). It is now together and making a few shackdown laps.

Last night at Irwindale went 5.60@122 with a 1.22 60' to say I was happy with the combo would be an understatement!
Thanks Jim for building a good car to start with.

A couple more pics

Love it with the new combo and the Jenny Craig Diet. Great job, sure is running great!

So BiggieC ... what’s yur new ride ?

Very nice!!!! Good to see a Gen3 in a lighter package finally. I miss going fast and may get to do some of that myself this year. Are you going to run with the NA heads-up guys this year?

Very nice!!!! Good to see a Gen3 in a lighter package finally. I miss going fast and may get to do some of that myself this year. Are you going to run with the NA heads-up guys this year? [/quote]

No , after a match race next weekend I think I am going to do a gear change and neuter it a bit. I will run the bottom of the pro bracket. I am not cool enough to run with the NA guys. ha ha

Very nice.What is the new race weight?
Doug

Saw a video of it on FB this morning. Badazz for sure!

There is difinitely a fun line on the Racepak!

A few hundred pounds lighter.

Great Job.... Looks like a Blast to pilot !!!!! Love seeing both your cars...
I only have one suggestion.... (Inside joke for you other folks) That guy that did some of the Painting, Poke poke poke.... Tell him to put his glasses on next time..... Hahahahahahahaha

Biggies new ride ?

Rod, congrats on a great build! After seeing your work in person i know it is all top shelf! Before you posted the runs i figured it would run hi 8s at 150 and the 5.60 @ 122 says it definately will!

Wow! Looks great. I’m typically a fan of old school big block stuff, but this build is really cool. I’m a fan, hopefully you have a lot of success with it!

Very nice. I like it!

What did the engine dyno testing show for power/torque at RPM?

Jim I skipped putting it on the pump, had the mindset of "it will run what it runs, lets go racing"

Nice job man! Its running and looking great.

Just a little update for the new Hemi haters. At our first Summit series race in early march I had a torque converter failer (thrust bearing) made a mess of the trans too .

Put her back together last week for a Covid-19 no spectator race on the weekend. I have been softening the combo up a bit with a gear change to 4:10s and taking out timing (now at 21 !). 1st hit Sunday with the track tight went 5.550@121.8 with a 1.177 60' with a D.A. of 1858'. New best! SO much for soft ha ha.

Then settled into low 5.60s, starting to get comfortable in the car. Was able to take a runner up and take home a few bucks.

I really like this combo. Like it enought that I'm getting parts together now to put a stroker 6.4 in my old car.

Congratulations!

Very nice!!!!
Is the weight still top secret. Lol.

Racers and women both lie about their weight. ha ha

2540 with me in the seat. sshhhhh don't tell anybody

I honestly had 2500 in my head. My black Duster was around 2550 with my son driving. He’s a hair lighter (80 pounds or so) than me. But I also sold the fiberglass doors and added a few other items to make it more but bracket racing friendly and now it’s 2880.

What rpm are you turning it to?

around 7200