Match Race ~ 1965 Valiant '273 Commando' vs. 1963 Fairlane 500 '289 K-Code'

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69 Cuda 440

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Match Race 'Small Car Battle Royale'

1965 Plymouth Valiant V-200 ~ 273/235 HP 'Commando' ~ 4-Speed

vs.

1963 1/2 Ford Fairlane 500 ~ 289/271 HP ~ 'K-Code' ~ 4-Speed
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advantage in Weight.

The 65' Valiant V-200 came in at a light #2750 lbs. and had an {11.70} Weight-to-Horsepower factor.

In 1965, the 'Lil Brute' Commando was a 'quiet terror' while classed in D/Stock {11.30 to 11.88 Wt/Hp}.

Though over-shadowed by the 'popular' 1965 Barracuda 'Commando' which was classed up
in {F/Stock}, the 'Lil Brute' was much lighter and quicker.

The 1963 1/2 {Mid-Year} Fairlane 500 'Sports Coupe' came in at #3002 lbs., and was classed higher
up in 'C/Stock' as it had an {11.08} Weight-to-Horsepower factor.
 
66fs said:
I doubt we will win this one...
Click to expand...

Don't count the Ford Chickens before they hatch.........

The 'Lil Brute' versus 'The First Gunslinger'


file.php?id=4267.jpg



lfm-issue03-a1-1.jpg
 
since they are both 4 speeds we got this one...everyone knows ford driver suck at using a stick shift ;)
 
1963 1/2 Fairlane 500

Release Date; April 4, 1963

289/271 HP ~ 'Hi-Po' K-Code
3.89 Gears
4-Speed {Borg-Warner T-10} Wide-Ratio

The 'Challenger High Performance Package.......... $424.80

 
comet cyclone 289 4 speed for sale down here relatively cheap
 
I'll take the Valiant with a half a car length.
 
1965 Valiant 273 'Commando'

Negative's
* 9 1/2" Auburn Clutch...................................'Yikes'
* 7 1/4" Rear-End {3.91 Gears w/Sure-Grip}.....'Snap off those Ring Gear Teeth like breaking Bread Sticks"

* Luckily, Chrysler offered up the 8 3/4" Rear-End as a Warranty Replacement.

* Weber Equipment out of California offered a nice Heavy-Duty Clutch Package for the 9 1/2" Mopar Unit.

* Schieffer also offered a 40 lb. Flywheel in the small diameter.
 
I'll take the Valiant here...I'll bet the Fairlane would be hard pressed to run under a 16 flat. Most Mustang Hi-Po road tests had them running 15.7-15.9, while that lighter Valiant would probably get pretty close to that.
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Match Race 'Small Car Battle Royale'

1965 Plymouth Valiant V-200 ~ 273/235 HP 'Commando' ~ 4-Speed

vs.

1963 1/2 Ford Fairlane 500 ~ 289/271 HP ~ 'K-Code' ~ 4-Speed
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advantage in Weight.

The 65' Valiant V-200 came in at a light #2712 lbs. and had an {11.54} Weight-to-Horsepower factor.

In 1965, the 'Lil Brute' Commando was a 'quiet terror' while classed in D/Stock.

Though over-shadowed by the 'popular' 1965 Barracuda 'Commando' which was classed up
in {F/Stock}, the 'Lil Brute' was 228 lbs. lighter, and much quicker.

The 1963 1/2 {Mid-Year} Fairlane 500 'Sports Coupe' came in at #3002 lbs., and was classed higher
up in 'C/Stock' as it had an {11.08} Weight-to-Horsepower factor.
Click to expand...

Just wondering the source of info for D/S? Is it on the car?
My 1965 V100 2 door sedan stripper with Commando 4 speed was classed as F/S????
 
We need to get some of our engine guru's on here and explain to us the advantage of a 6"+ rod motor vs the short rod/short stroke mill like the 289/302 that Ford had to offer. It's funny to listen to the Chevy racers puff out their chest and brag about their 6"rod motors where our lowly 273's came stock with a 6.125 length rod from the factory. The long rod with the correct stroke gives the Mopar small blocks a advantage over the 2 cycle Fords. tmm
 
GIB

1965 NHRA 1965...... Weight to Horsepower.....Mopar A-Body cars

A/S....... 8.70 to 9.49

B/S....... 9.50 to 10.59

C/S....... 10.60 to 11.29

D/S....... 11.30 to 11.88 ....> 1965 Valiant V-100 or V-200 {273/235 HP}

E/S....... 11.89 to 12.49.....> 1965 Valiant V-200 '4-Door' {273/235 HP} ~ Valiant Signet {273/235}
.........................................> 1965 Dart GT {273/235 HP}

F/S....... 12.50 to 13.99 ....> 1965 Barracuda {273 /235 HP} ~ 1965 Dart GT 'Convertible' {273/235 HP}

G/S....... 14.00 to 14.99

H/S....... 15.00 to 15.59 ....> 1964 and 1965 Valiant 'Hardtop' {273/180 HP}

I/S........ 15.60 to 16.99 ....> 1964 and 1965 Barracuda, Valiant 'Convertible', Valiant Signet and 1965 Dart GT {273/180 HP}
 
271hp 289? No torque out of a 2.87 stroke unless it was running 11.6:1 compression and was running super premium fuel...oh wait, it was! Its a 440 vs hemi style race. Will the out in front 273 hold the fords late charge? Every SB stang I rode in was soft down low and high school bud was ford fanboy.
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
GIB

1965 NHRA 1965...... Weight to Horsepower.....Mopar A-Body cars

A/S....... 8.70 to 9.49

B/S....... 9.50 to 10.59

C/S....... 10.60 to 11.29

D/S....... 11.30 to 11.88 ....> 1965 Valiant V-200 {273/235 HP}

E/S....... 11.89 to 12.49.....> 1965 Valiant V-200 '4-Door' {273/235 HP} ~ Valiant Signet {273/235}
.........................................> 1965 Dart GT {273/235 HP}

F/S....... 12.50 to 13.99 ....> 1965 Barracuda {273 /235 HP} ~ 1965 Dart GT 'Convertible' {273/235 HP}

G/S....... 14.00 to 14.99

H/S....... 15.00 to 15.59 ....> 1964 and 1965 Valiant 'Hardtop' {273/180 HP}

I/S........ 15.60 to 16.99 ....> 1964 and 1965 Barracuda, Valiant 'Convertible', Valiant Signet {273/180 HP}
..........................................> 1965 Dart GT {273/180 HP}

Here you go for 1965

Plymouth Trivia Question.....

How many 1965 Valiant 'V-200' 4-Door, 273/235 Commando 4-Speeds were built...........
Click to expand...
 
Ford never backed,the "little guy",drag racer. They wanted Indy. Lemans,and every thing else. It's a damn shame,the 289, with heads,would be fun. Out came the Thunderbolt... Dumb politics aside,I like the 273. I know someone,with 2 trophies,with one.
 
1963 1/3 Ford Fairlane 500 'Sports Coupe' 289 Hi-Po

The Fairlane 500 'K-Code'

#3002 lbs. {Shipping Weight}

Was a 4-Speed only car, and equipped with a Borg-Warner T-10 'Wide-Ratio'
with a 2.73 {1st-Gear}.

Ordered with 3.89 Gears.

This 1963 1/2 ~ 'C/Stocker' in stock form could get you into the high 15.00's,
usually around a best of 15.80's @ 88 MPH

The 289/271 HP 'Hi-Po' was a big leap over the 289/225 HP 'A-Code'.

The 1963 1/2 Fairlane 500 at #3002 lbs. wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

pishta said:
271hp 289? No torque out of a 2.87 stroke unless it was running 11.6:1 compression and was running super premium fuel...oh wait, it was! Its a 440 vs hemi style race. Will the out in front 273 hold the fords late charge? Every SB stang I rode in was soft down low and high school bud was ford fanboy.
Click to expand...

The Ford breathes vastly better. It has a 4" bore, compared to the 273's 3.63" bore. The 273's tiny bore shrouds the valves and chokes breathing. Gear the Fairlane properly (4.56, maybe even 5.13) and it's no contest.
 
273 heads flow better, small bore stuff is theoretical BS. Believe it if you want. K motor had bigger cam, worse carb and intake from the factory.
 
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