Need help with 170ci Dart

[90291DART]

I have a '63 Dart that is being restored. It has SBP 13'' wheels, does anyone know if the Mopar 15'' SBP rims will fit without any problems?

Also I have been driving the car around and its a little slow getting up to speed. Whats the best way to add more acceleration at lower speeds?

The car still has original 1 barrel carb. I know it would help to upgrade to a 2 barrel. Is it possible to mount a 2 barrel on the original manifold?

 

[grumpuscreature]

First off, welcome to the site. 15s will bolt on but you may have clearance problems with them in the front. Rears should be OK. The early Darts were not known for having a lot of room in the front wheel wells. 205/70X14s will fit in front so if you keep your 15" tire selection close to the same diameter you should be OK there. There are adapters to mount 2 barrel carbs to 1 barrel manifolds and you may be OK with a 170 but you will quickly run out of hood clearance with an adapter on a 225. If you do swap to a 2 barrel plan on swapping in a cable accelerator pedal as well. The stock carb linkage barely works with a stock carb and I haven't seen too many 2 barrels that will accept the stock linkage. It's tons easier to swap in a cable throttle than it is to monkey with the rod linkage. Probably the best thing you can do for a power increase is to get rid of the stock 1 7/8" exhaust system and replace it with a 2 1/2" OD system to the back bumper. 170s have a displacement disadvantage but their saving grace is they will take massive amounts of boost in stock configuration. That'll give you something to think about for later.....

 

[BillGrissom]

I don't think a 2 bbl would help with acceleration on the low end, like leaving a stop sign. It only allows more torque at high rpm. Assuming your mixture is correct, the best thing for improving acceleration would be a lower ratio in the drivetrain. The easiest way to get that is with a smaller tire diameter, so going to 15" wheels could make it worse unless you like thin rubber-band tires. If still running points, the 1st step would be to upgrade to electronic ignition. Many posts on that here, and I wouldn't fool with the old Mopar box.

 

[90291DART]

Awesome info, Thanks for the help!

I think I am going to keep the 13'' wheels i already have. I have already upgraded the entire exhaust to the bigger size. Next i am going to upgrade to a 2bbl carb and i am looking into an electronic ignition. Thanks again for the help