79 cutlass drag car

[lilbowtie]

Easy ! Lets get this thing together and dialed in before you go after nitrous. At least you can plumb for it and get a good ignition box. I still haven't hit the button on the Sonoma.

 

[Genoapb]

I'm trying to resist opening the motor any farther then I need to but I'm going to have to at least take the oil pan off and make sure nothing rusted or anything and also confirm as much as I can while I'm in there. I figure it won't be a bad idea to pull the intake and check what I can in there as well. At that point I can't help but think. I might as well switch to a single plane intake and a cam that will best use these heads or the whole long block for that matter. I'm sure there is a cam much better for this lightweight cars intended purpose of strictly drag racing. Any suggestions on a cam and intake? Anyone have an idea of what these heads will support hp wise without touching them?

 

[bracketchev1221]

I'm trying to resist opening the motor any farther then I need to but I'm going to have to at least take the oil pan off and make sure nothing rusted or anything and also confirm as much as I can while I'm in there. I figure it won't be a bad idea to pull the intake and check what I can in there as well. At that point I can't help but think. I might as well switch to a single plane intake and a cam that will best use these heads or the whole long block for that matter. I'm sure there is a cam much better for this lightweight cars intended purpose of strictly drag racing. Any suggestions on a cam and intake? Anyone have an idea of what these heads will support hp wise without touching them?

They should be 990 or 188 casting rectangular port heads. With 118 cc chambers and 2.19/1.88 valves. With the right springs they can handle 650 hp. You could easily use a solid roller cam in it, with a victor jr intake and a 4150 Holley.

 

[Genoapb]

Yup, they are 188 heads and I was leaning towards either the Victor Jr or Victor as well but maybe a 800 cfm carb? I have to dig up my desktop Dyno and throw some different cam profiles at it with the head flow numbers I've found to get any idea on a cam that's not a total guess.

 

[bracketchev1221]

Yup, they are 188 heads and I was leaning towards either the Victor Jr or Victor as well but maybe a 800 cfm carb? I have to dig up my desktop Dyno and throw some different cam profiles at it with the head flow numbers I've found to get any idea on a cam that's not a total guess.

I would go for an 850 or possibly a 1000hp on it. I ran an 850 on my bracket 427 back in the late 90’s going 10.30’s.

 

[bracketchev1221]

If I remember right, those engines had like a .520 lift cam for the lower compression version. A cam like this Comp Cam, 11-771-8 doesn't even really change the duration that much on it. Put a set of roller rockers on it with good springs and go racing. Shift it around 6500 and see how it runs.

 

[Genoapb]

If I remember right, those engines had like a .520 lift cam for the lower compression version. A cam like this Comp Cam, 11-771-8 doesn't even really change the duration that much on it. Put a set of roller rockers on it with good springs and go racing. Shift it around 6500 and see how it runs.

I know a roller cam is better but can I get away with a solid flat tappet cam for now and what might that recommendation be?

 

[GP403]

unlocked per OP's request

 

[Genoapb]

unlocked per OP's request

Thanks for unlocking. Just wanted to do a little update.

 

[Genoapb]

I was finally able to start collecting and buying parts to get this project rolling. I decided to go with a powerglide so I could do the work myself. I also picked up a full roller cam setup. Its a comp magnum with .262/.262 @ .050 and .652/.652 lift and matching springs. Along with a set of roller rockers and a victor style intake and an 850 carb. I also snagged a bare block for mockup. Hopefully I can start that process this weekend!