Match Race = 1968 Road Runner '383' vs. 1964 Belvedere '426-S' Street Wedge
Engine ----------------- 1964 '426-S' ----------------------- 1968 '383'
* Bore........................... 4.25"...................................... 3.75"
* Stroke........................ 3.75"...................................... 3.38"
* Compression Ratio..... 10.3 - 1 ................................. 10.0 - 1
* Advertised HP............ 365 HP @ 4800 RPM's ........... 335 HP @ 5000 RPM's
* Advertised Torque..... 470 Ft/Lbs. @ 3200 RPM's .... 425 Ft/Lbs. @ 3400 RPM's
* Engine Dyno HP ........ 317 HP @ 4700 RPM's ........... 310 HP @ 5000 RPM's
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Drag Race Test
Both cars equipped with;
* 4-Speed Transmission
* Hurst Shifter
* 3.91 Gears w/Sure-Grip
* Cheater Slicks {7" Width x 28" Tall}
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1st Gear
The Road Runner would get off-the-line first, with the advantage of the shorter engine stroke. The 426-S
was notoriously sluggish coming out-of-the-hole.
The Road Runner would jump to a full car-length lead mid-way thru 1st-Gear.
But, by the end of 1st-Gear, the 426-S {Torque Advantage} would start to open up.
2nd Gear
Advantage for the 426-S 'Street Wedge'. Once the RPM's got up in the Engine, the 426-S would start to breath, and
pull on the 383 {shorter stroke}.
By mid-way thru 2nd-Gear, the 426-S would pull 'near even' with the Road Runner 383.
By the end of 2nd Gear, the 426-S would have a 'slight lead'.
3rd Gear
The 426-S would maintain it's 'slight advantage' thru early 3rd-Gear, and start to pull on the Road Runner 383 by
mid-way thru 3rd-Gear.
The 426-S {+43 Cubic Inches} would extend it's lead to more than a full car-length by the end of 3rd-Gear.
4th Gear
A 'surprise' here. What should be expected, is that the Belvedere 426-S {with +43 Cubic Inches} and longer stroke,
should pull away from the Road Runner 383.
But on 'Top End', the 426-S would starve for fuel.
1} The Carter AFB {575 CFM} limited Air-Fuel mixture.
2} The low-profile Intake Manifold would restrict breathing.
3} Also, the 'weak' Valve Springs would float out at 4800 RPM's.
The Road Runner 383 would make a move, and nearly catch the Belvedere 426-S at the 'Traps'.
1} The Carter AVS {625 CFM} would provide more Air-Fuel mixture.
2} The better design Intake Manifold would provide better flow on Top-End.
3} More Cam {Lift and Duration}, with higher load-rate Valve Springs.
4} Better flowing Cylinder Heads.
5} Better Exhaust System.