400 Hp ( Street 318 ) Build !

Again my opinion but I think the mystique and tall tales surrounding 60s and early 70s muscle cars make them seem faster everytime these tales are told. It seems like every time stories are told about whatever your fav is like the 426 street Hemi for instance it gets faster. I mean these were solid 13 second cars from the factory with the exception of specially tuned "ringers" that the factory dropped off for the automotive press to test. All the car makers did that. Now you hear people telling stories about the 426 street Hemi being 10 second cars off the showroom floor. Sheesh.

Now where am I going with this history lesson. I'm a gonna tell ya. I think the HP and speeds have been so hyped up that somebody who really doesnt know, gets their hands on lets say a nice 1970 340 duster. It's got some basic tweaks like electronic ignition, a little more radical cam than stock, but something that idles fair, over all mostly stock. Runs decent, lets say a solid low 14 second car. Gets its *** beat by newer Camaro SS, Challenger HellCats, and Shelby GT500s. According to all the hype about this stuff over the years, Mr Duster owner thinks it should be faster. After all his grandpappy had one new and it was a 12 second car.

The young 340 duster owner isnt thinking about the fact that technology has moved on in 50 years since his car was concidered new, and cutting edge. Up goes the compression, and installed is the big assed cam, headers, dominator intake and carb, hole cut in the hood. Maybe add that 100 shot of nitrous. Gut the thing with a claw hammer. After all weight is the enemy of speed. No traction control, no problem, time for a minitub, no ABS, time for some aftermarket brakes all just to get it to stop.

Now hes as fast or faster as the latest cutting edge modern muscle, but he sure isnt as comfortable. Rattley loud interior, no A/C or heat because it was shitcanned because weight slows ya down doncha know. Ya its fast in the quarter mile, but with them skinnies on the front, drag shocks and no front swaybar, it cant turn for ****. Without electronic engine management EFI and computer managed VVT systems it idles like a coffee can full of rocks, is cantankerous at best, and gets shitty mileage all to beat something that new, that can run as almost as fast with the windows up and the A/C on.

Personally again my opinion, I want my stuff quick and fun while being able to handle and stop. but I dont make any illusions about beating a hellcat with my old junque. Just not gonna happen, and I am ok with that. I dont need a 10 second race car with licence plates to have fun on the street. I think with this stuff a lot of the fun is restoring it, driving it, and being seen in it.