Cruise friendly low 12's with a 340 Dart

I'm looking for a similar result for my 71 swinger, but I'm looking at it a different way.

12.0s (and all drag racing) are all about hook, rather than power. If you want to do it on pure muscle, you're going to need an insane amount of power. Horsepower costs fuel mileage, and $$$.

To run that fast you need readily attainable power and a 1.60 60' time. Any good performance calculator is going to tell you that at 3100 pounds, you only need approx 350hp at the motor to run the number. Slicks will probably be required. I've built cars and attained those results before and I just can't believe it takes more power to make Mopars run the same.

To me that says good shocks, struts, springs, and cutting weight wherever possible and practical. A transbrake will help a lot, and that GER converter is a millstone around your neck. I'd highly recommend a custom from Lenny at www.ultimateconverter.com.

I'd suggest aluminum wheels (forged, like Welds rather than cast like Summit's). If you can't relocate the battery, get a light one. Ditch the power steering if you've got it. Electric fan. Fiberglass hood if you can swing it. etc.

I got rid of the AC on my car, and that was worth over 50 lbs off the front end. It'll be hotter in the summer, but its against the rules to cruise a hardtop with the windows up anyways.

I'd recommend the Edelbrock Magnum heads. It's 50 lbs off of car (in the front even), and the smaller, modern, combustion chamber will make more power and resist detonation. That pretty much leaves you with the RPM air-gap, or sending the heads to hughes to be drilled for the old-timey intakes. I'd recommend a late model 5.9 shortblock as well, given the added cubes, not to mention the vastly better ring package, and hydraulic roller camshaft.

Don't forget a good oil pan, as windage is a serious horsepower killer when your car starts to hook.

I'd seriously recommend a Holley carb over the others. Anything else is just giving away horsepower.

If you want to know for sure if its possible. Gimme till next summer as I"m working on it right now. LOL!

Steve