New to site - 65 Barracuda

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Deucemopar

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Location
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Long story short - we were looking for a car to use for local drag events and drag week (went to our first Drag Week this past September). So more strip but street too.

Of course have a budget, but also wanted something different. We have a 70 Challenger. And am a bit partial to Mopars. ;)

We found 65 Barracuda. Great shape. Solid. Was built in mid 90s so needs some upgrading which we've started: re-wiring, Speedwire relay box, upgrade/install lights/horn/signals etc, new fuel cell, battery box, starter.

Working on new electric water pump, alternator install and new headers.

Then Next step is to run her a bit to see how engine and trans are. Seller said all good and what we've seen so far he is solid dude. So - challenge will be how to get 11.5 second car down to 10 sec.

Has 360 now. Want to keep that motor (or type SB). Blower or turbo most likely add on soon. Then go have some fun.

Have already found some great stuff here. We have some interior work/ upgrading to do as well. Look forward to hanging here !
 
Welcome, great to have you here. As you have found, there are tons of Good information and an amazing group of knowledgeable people who are ready to answer your questions
 
Welcome to FABO! Cool looking 65.

Keep us updated on your progress!
 
Long story short - we were looking for a car to use for local drag events and drag week (went to our first Drag Week this past September). So more strip but street too.

Of course have a budget, but also wanted something different. We have a 70 Challenger. And am a bit partial to Mopars. ;)

We found 65 Barracuda. Great shape. Solid. Was built in mid 90s so needs some upgrading which we've started: re-wiring, Speedwire relay box, upgrade/install lights/horn/signals etc, new fuel cell, battery box, starter.

Working on new electric water pump, alternator install and new headers.

Then Next step is to run her a bit to see how engine and trans are. Seller said all good and what we've seen so far he is solid dude. So - challenge will be how to get 11.5 second car down to 10 sec.

Has 360 now. Want to keep that motor (or type SB). Blower or turbo most likely add on soon. Then go have some fun.

Have already found some great stuff here. We have some interior work/ upgrading to do as well. Look forward to hanging here !
You're gonna make a 360 a 10 second car?

Have fun with that :)
 
You're gonna make a 360 a 10 second car?

Have fun with that :)

Easy. Stroke it to 408 and add a decent set of heads and cam along with the other driveline needs and you're set. 10 second pump gas no power adder small block.

Check out 70aarcuda's combos. He's running mid 10's on one with a stock stroke 360, ported eddy heads, 11:1 CR.
 
Easy. Stroke it to 408 and add a decent set of heads and cam along with the other driveline needs and you're set. 10 second pump gas no power adder small block.

Check out 70aarcuda's combos. He's running mid 10's on one with a stock stroke 360, ported eddy heads, 11:1 CR.

Aye. Will do! Thanks
 
Easy. Stroke it to 408 and add a decent set of heads and cam along with the other driveline needs and you're set. 10 second pump gas no power adder small block.

Check out 70aarcuda's combos. He's running mid 10's on one with a stock stroke 360, ported eddy heads, 11:1 CR.
Ya, but if you're gonna do all that, might as well go big block...

Plus, "other driveline needs" most likely will include different rear end, different tranny, etc. anyways, so why not big block?

I guess he already has a 360, so just stick with that is your logic aye?
 
Ya, but if you're gonna do all that, might as well go big block...

Plus, "other driveline needs" most likely will include different rear end, different tranny, etc. anyways, so why not big block?

I guess he already has a 360, so just stick with that is your logic aye?
Ya. Actually starting out with 383 block and steel crank ,... it looks like its going to be less cost building that (with trans work and custom exhaust) than going all out with stroker. Just cost in heads is huge.

We will see. Trying to get ahold of builder today. We're 9 hours ahead now ... lol
 
Ya, but if you're gonna do all that, might as well go big block...

Plus, "other driveline needs" most likely will include different rear end, different tranny, etc. anyways, so why not big block?

I guess he already has a 360, so just stick with that is your logic aye?

He said that he wanted to use the 360 in his original post. That's why. If he goes big block, he'll have to:

-Change K frame and motor mounts
-Change trans and converter
-New Driveshaft?
-Much less room to work under the hood
-Everything also fits worse under the hood
-Big blocks add weight
-BB's don't seem to make any more power than a stroked small block in a lot of cases
-Will have to alter exhaust system plus new headers

If he stays small block, he can

-Keep K frame and motor mounts
-Keep trans and converter
-Keep existing exhaust
-Saves weight over big block (faster ET's and better handling)
-As long as he has an 8-3/4, he doesn't have to change the rear end. Otherwise he'll need to change it either way if not

So reason to me again why you'd "just go big block"??? When you calculate in all the things you need to make the big block work, build the big block, and then deal with the headache of stuffing it into an A body, I'm personally not seeing the advantage. Don't get me wrong, I love big blocks. But I truly don't see the advantage for the OP to go BB when he already has a SB setup that just needs stroked and head swap. But he can do what he wants.
 
He said that he wanted to use the 360 in his original post. That's why. If he goes big block, he'll have to:

-Change K frame and motor mounts
-Change trans and converter
-New Driveshaft?
-Much less room to work under the hood
-Everything also fits worse under the hood
-Big blocks add weight
-BB's don't seem to make any more power than a stroked small block in a lot of cases
-Will have to alter exhaust system plus new headers

If he stays small block, he can

-Keep K frame and motor mounts
-Keep trans and converter
-Keep existing exhaust
-Saves weight over big block (faster ET's and better handling)
-As long as he has an 8-3/4, he doesn't have to change the rear end. Otherwise he'll need to change it either way if not

So reason to me again why you'd "just go big block"??? When you calculate in all the things you need to make the big block work, build the big block, and then deal with the headache of stuffing it into an A body, I'm personally not seeing the advantage. Don't get me wrong, I love big blocks. But I truly don't see the advantage for the OP to go BB when he already has a SB setup that just needs stroked and head swap. But he can do what he wants.

All good points. And logic. Things is - it's already using an engine plate, front end is customized already, Dana rear, headers now need to be replaced anyway (open headers now - so need exhaust and "mufflers" for events entering as well), trans could probably use refreshing so going with JW SFI bellhousing to handle SB to BB swap, etc

From what we can figure a stroked 360 with even best of heads, cam, etc will get us into 10s. Maybe even close to 10.5. To shave rest still need a power adder. And expensive heads, porting, etc

So .... we've come to the BB option. And discussing stroking the 383. In end maybe tiny bit less budget as well.

You know how "plans" change. Lol. And you're right. Maybe just skinning car from different angle.
 
All good points. And logic. Things is - it's already using an engine plate, front end is customized already, Dana rear, headers now need to be replaced anyway (open headers now - so need exhaust and "mufflers" for events entering as well), trans could probably use refreshing so going with JW SFI bellhousing to handle SB to BB swap, etc

From what we can figure a stroked 360 with even best of heads, cam, etc will get us into 10s. Maybe even close to 10.5. To shave rest still need a power adder. And expensive heads, porting, etc

So .... we've come to the BB option. And discussing stroking the 383. In end maybe tiny bit less budget as well.

You know how "plans" change. Lol. And you're right. Maybe just skinning car from different angle.

Sounds like you've already got a good start then for the BB swap. Best of luck to you. Either way it will be a sweet machine!
 
Sounds like you've already got a good start then for the BB swap. Best of luck to you. Either way it will be a sweet machine!

Thanks. Checked out your build. A lot of similarities in our story. Lol Great job too!

Awesome video and great runs.
 
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