273, the good points

Hi 105 mad,

I vintage race a '66 Dart here on the United States East Coast. And I know Mike Ritz who campaigns the Team Starfish Barracuda out West. We're both running 318 based motors. In my case because the SVRA supplemental prep rules (that I wrote ;) :D ;[ame="http://www.svra.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Chrysler_Corp-MoPar_64-66.pdf"]http://www.svra.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Chrysler_Corp-MoPar_64-66.pdf[/ame] ) allow that, and in Mike's case, because the FIA 3.0 Holmologation (sp?) papers filed by Plymouth call out the 318 as the correct engine for the '66 Barracuda GT (really interesting reading those). However it is certainly possible to make adequate power with the 273. Some of the links provided above will help with that.

There's another user on here JTThttp://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/member.php?u=28986 Who has a FIA '66 Dart he's developing. He's currently building his 3rd 273 for it, so I'm sure he could provide some input.

What you really have to pay close attention to is the rule set you have to build to. What modifications does it allow and which does it forbid. Then there is the matter of how close to the edge you WANT to build the motor. Unlike drag racing, vintage road race motors have to withstand 20, 30, even 60 minute race sessions. What kind of fuel do you want it to burn, is another question. Race gas is great, but not cheap. The 0.050" over 318 in my Dart delivers 363 WHP on 93 octane pump gas.

Finally, depending on availability and rules, I'd be inclined to start the build with a 2 door Plymouth Valiant. They are lighter than the Barracuda, but enjoy the same shorter 106" wheel base, making it easier to get to a good static weight distribution.

Dave