RustyRatRod's Guide To Hot Rod Bliss
I think the enemy here is "Ego"....I know for SURE I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to hi-perf parts. I get drawn in by the hype even though I know better..."gotta have that cam, those pistons, that manifold..." for what? I don't even race. What I need is probably what the factory built 40 years ago, and it will start every time.
Thanks for the wake-up call, guys!
You're not your own worst enemy, not really.
While Rob and Rob and company are applying common sense hot rodding rules for the average, every day enthusiasts there are builds that will go beyond these basic simple rules.
What's the vision for the build? I'm in complete agreement if what you're seeing is having a weekend cruiser where you'll be running in heavy traffic with the opportunity to play a little bit presents itself.
I've got a couple here, not all of them Mopar, not all of them going to see exclusively street use. A couple are pick ups, with the mind to towing and hauling, but also being somewhat unique. My F250 comes to mind. My vision for that is to make it a long distance tow vehicle. I could find a 390 for it or even go 460 on the cheap. Gobs of torque. But something says build the 300 that's in it and make 'em weep, not just do what everyone else does. The 300 has a lot of potential, to put a lot of torque down low. It's gonna cost me to go that route, though. Add in a trans swap and a GV overdrive and I'm building the truck of my dreams with less than half of the money it would take to buy a new truck that's ready to run right out the box.
My vision for the E-body is to take it to WGI and rock the course while keeping it 100% streetable. That's goes beyond the rules written here.
But at the same time, the '69 Sport Satellite is going to be completely, 100% stock. Manual drums all the way around, 383 4bbl, 727, 3.55 8.75 Sure Grip. Every part I need is still attached to the car except the carb. Why spend all the money in "building" it when it's pretty much perfect the way it is?
I will add a few things, though, to the list, that goes beyond the engine building route. For today's driving, a stock 340 4bbl or 360 4 bbl built to the 340 specs, or even a stock B or RB is gonna make your average, every day driver/weekend cruiser move with today's traffic if you need to. Where our cars fall a little flat is in the stock department of brakes and suspension, especially "handling."
There are low buck upgrades to solve both. You're traveling through a city street and a ball comes rolling out in front of you with a kid chasing it. All the power in the world isn't going to get you out of that situation. Good brakes will. Adding a little more camber into the car, will. Think about it.
