Tuning a DD 383 for optimum mileage / 1/4 mile performance

rumblefish360 said
What is the cruise RPM?
Have you thought about Rhodes lifters?
Rhodes says there lifters start pumping up around (IIRC) 3,000 RPM to restore full lift & duration. Possible benefit?

My cruise RPM is 3,200 @ 60 mph. I have never heard of the Rhodes Lifters.

bOb shingler said
JW transmissions in florida has the adaptor to the 518 to BBM. after that you need a lighted rocker switch up were you can see to put in OD. oh, mileage and performance is an oxymoron.

I am not that worried about mileage, just want to tune to the max this set-up is possible of.

If I were to put an OD I would get a Tremec 5 speed or a Gear Vendors. I was going to do that several times but I just can't justify dropping $3-4K on an overdrive. Every time I get that money saved up I just can't do it & end up getting a motorcycle or old fun 70's truck.

67Dart273 said
What do you have for gearing? That is probably a large factor for your mileage and of course will "adversely" affect strip times.....

Also I don't know your budget constraints CONSIDER EFI. Even TBI (Holley or FItech) can be calibrated better than carb.

GET A WIDEBAND O2 if you don't have

I'm running 4.10 gears & 28" tires. RPM's are somewhat high on the highway.

I'm not interested in fuel injection. I would rather tinker on a carburetor than have to worry about messing with sensors, plumbing in high pressure fuel pump, figuring out trouble codes & high idle speeds.

Whatever MPG this set-up gets after I've tuned it is good enough.