On paper it should be scary fast. On the road, not so much

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Uglypedro

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A year and a half ago I bought a 67 Barracuda Convert. Came with newish Blueprint crate 408 and a new 904. Blueprint says it should have around 450 hp and tq. I added a new steering box and Doug headers. The engine sounds and is strong. Just had the timing and the carb tuned. I'll add the engine stats below. With all this, I should be going through tires , but it wont do a burn out and feels like I'm dragging a cinder bock! The only thing similar I've had was a 68 Charger with a 318 almost 40 years ago. It had lots more torque...that is to say it would easily smoke the tire. Not the Barracuda. Any thoughts? I know lower gears would help (3.23 now), but shouldn't really be needed.

408 Stroker, • HP & Torque: 465 HP / 494 FT LBS • Compression Ratio: 10:1 • Aluminum Heads • Roller Cam • Cast Steel Crank • Forged Pistons BLOCK: • Hand picked seasoned Magnum block • Square and parallel decked • Align honed main bearing bore • Cylinders honed on computer controlled machine to within .0002 straightness and roundness • Cylinders are sonic tested for thickness • 2-Bolt Main • 4.000" Bored .040" over • 2-Piece Rear Main Seal • Mech fuel pump provision: Yes ROTATING ASSEMBLY: • New Steel crankshaft • 4.000" Stroke • Forged Magnum 6.123" connecting rods w/ 150,000 psi bolts • Forged pistons • Externally balanced CYLINDER HEADS: • BluePrint Engines Assembled and Machined Edelbrock 61769 Casting • Aluminum Magnum Pattern Cylinder Heads - 58cc chamber • Aluminum Roller Rockers • 2.02" intake/1.60" exhaust valves • 176cc intake/75cc exhaust runners CAM SPECS: • Cam Type: Roller
 
I second RRR's question. That sounds like the root of your problem. What RPM does it stall at with your foot hard on the brakes, in 1st gear with the throttle on the floor and tires not spinning? What's your initial and total timing set at? Investing in a quality torque converter that's built for your exact set-up can give you a remarkable result. Don't go cheap, don't buy a smaller diameter torque converter and you will be rewarded with a completely different driving experience. There are several shops out there with stellar reputations. I've had great luck with Precision of New Hampton.
 
The guy I bought it from did an 80% restoration, doing most of the work himself. I received a ton of paperwork/ receipts and while I found the receipt for the 904 from TCI, I cant find one for the torque converter. How can I find out what size it is? Suppose I can call the dude...
 
Uglypedro said:
The guy I bought it from did an 80% restoration, doing most of the work himself. I received a ton of paperwork/ receipts and while I found the receipt for the 904 from TCI, I cant find one for the torque converter. How can I find out what size it is? Suppose I can call the dude...
Click to expand...
Physical size has little to do with the converter's stall speed. More than likely, he did what all obligatory Chevy converts do and picked a "2500". Little do non Mopar people know, that's a stock converter for a Mopar. Totally worthless. But before you condemn the converter, I would make sure the engine is in a good state of tune first. Get the timing questions answered and go from there.
 
With 465 HP it should tear into the tires pretty good
Are you certain the engine paperwork is valid ?

The converter will make a difference but it should still burn rubber some

Tommy
 
Desoto291hemi said:
With 465 HP it should tear into the tires pretty good
Are you certain the engine paperwork is valid ?

The converter will make a difference but it should still burn rubber some

Tommy
Click to expand...
If it has a shitty converter, or there's something wrong with it, that could cause the whole issue. But that's why he needs to get the engine in good tune first. I'd hate to see him spend 600 bucks on a converter and it not solve it. But then, as I said earlier, that whole transmission would get **** canned if it was mine.
 
What are the tires?? Caltracs?? I mean, if the previous owner spent a ton of time and money to get it to hook up, then it may not be a tire frier. Does I feel like it's thrusting you back in the seat?? Even if it has the wrong converter, it should at some point pull like a freight train once it reaches a point....
 
318willrun said:
What are the tires?? Caltracs?? I mean, if the previous owner spent a ton of time and money to get it to hook up, then it may not be a tire frier. Does I feel like it's thrusting you back in the seat?? Even if it has the wrong converter, it should at some point pull like a freight train once it reaches a point....
Click to expand...
If the converter is bad, then it will not under any circumstances. The converter certainly sounds like the focal point here.
 
abodyjoe said:
by who and what did they do? where is the timing set? initial and total?




**** my stock 360 with 2.76 gears will fry the tires..:)
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly. Stock specs for a California car is close to TDC. It will idle like grandma's Valiant but it won't fall out of a tree.
 
Ricks70Duster340 said:
Could be way wrong, or it could be a bad stator that is not providing the torque multiplication it should.
Click to expand...
Just sayin, huge difference between a bad converter and a wrong converter. If it's wrong (as in being way to tight), it WILL still take off at some point. That is like lugging a 4 speed then flooring it, at some point it will hit an RPM it likes and move on.
 

abodyjoe said:
this is off the blueprint site.



where is your initial and total set at? maybe @Johnny Mac can be of some help.
Click to expand...
^^^This^^^
"Roller cam" isn't enough to even guess on the cam specs, but Blueprint will know they sold in their engines and what a good starting point will be.
A rollerchassis dyno is useful for dialling in tune from maybe 2500 or 3000 rpm through peak at Wide open throttle. Idle, off idle and part throttle is not going to happen on the dyno unlesss its got a load cell and guy who has experience and knowledge.
 
Last edited:
is it this engine?

Chrysler Small Block Compatible 408 c.i. Engine - 465 Horsepower - Deluxe Dressed - Carbureted

Overview:​

This BluePrint Engines crate engine delivers a strong 465 horsepower and 494 ft-lbs. of torque with a pump-gas-friendly 10:1 compression ratio, making it an ideal choice for classic muscle car builds and street performance applications. Built with a durable cast crankshaft, forged pistons, and a performance roller cam, it’s topped with aluminum heads for improved airflow and efficiency. A Holley 750cfm Classic Carburetor feeds the engine, supported by a complete fuel system including a fuel pump, fuel line, and spark plugs and wires for reliable ignition. Cooling is handled by a drive side inlet water pump, thermostat, and thermostat housing, while a harmonic balancer, timing cover, valve covers, distributor, oil pan, and air cleaner round out this turn-key package—perfect for dropping into your next street-ready project.

Description:​

  • Horsepower & Torque: 465 Horsepower / 494 FT. LBS. Torque
  • Compression Ratio: 10:1
  • Aluminum Heads
  • Roller Cam
  • Cast Crankshaft
  • Forged Pistons

Block:​

  • Hand-Picked Seasoned Magnum Block
  • Square and Parallel Decked
  • Align Honed Main Bearing Bore
  • Cylinders Honed on Computer Controlled Machine to Within .0002 Straightness and Roundness
  • Cylinders are Sonic Tested for Thickness
  • 2-Bolt Main
  • 4.040" Bore
  • 2-Piece Rear Main Seal
  • Mech Fuel Pump Provision: Yes

Rotating Assembly:​

  • Cast Crankshaft
  • 4.000" Stroke
  • Forged Magnum 6.123" Connecting Rods w/ 150,000 PSI Bolts
  • Forged Pistons
  • Externally Balanced Front and Rear

Cylinder Heads:​

  • BluePrint Engines Assembled and Machined Edelbrock 61769 Casting
  • Aluminum Magnum Pattern Cylinder Heads
  • 58cc Chamber
  • Full Roller Rocker Arms
  • 2.02" Intake / 1.60" Exhaust Valves
  • 176cc Intake / 75cc Exhaust Runners

Cam Specs:​

  • Cam Type: Roller
  • .544 Intake / .541 Exhaust Lift
  • 236 Intake / 242 Exhaust Duration
  • @.050-110 Degree Lobe Separation

Ignition Timing:​

  • 34 Degrees Total at 4000 RPM

Also Includes:​

  • Holley 750cfm Classic Carburetor - BPP080508S
  • Thermostat and Thermostat Housing
  • Passenger Side Water Pump
  • Fuel Pump and Fuel Line
  • Spark Plugs and Wires
  • Harmonic Balancer
  • Timing Cover
  • Valve Covers
  • Air Cleaner
  • Distributor
  • Oil Pan

Notes:​

  • If installing with a Manual Transmission with .750" input shaft, Recommended Pilot bearing is PN FC-69907.
  • Recommended Pilot OD is 1.81"
 
abodyjoe said:
is it this engine?

Chrysler Small Block Compatible 408 c.i. Engine - 465 Horsepower - Deluxe Dressed - Carbureted

Overview:​

This BluePrint Engines crate engine delivers a strong 465 horsepower and 494 ft-lbs. of torque with a pump-gas-friendly 10:1 compression ratio, making it an ideal choice for classic muscle car builds and street performance applications. Built with a durable cast crankshaft, forged pistons, and a performance roller cam, it’s topped with aluminum heads for improved airflow and efficiency. A Holley 750cfm Classic Carburetor feeds the engine, supported by a complete fuel system including a fuel pump, fuel line, and spark plugs and wires for reliable ignition. Cooling is handled by a drive side inlet water pump, thermostat, and thermostat housing, while a harmonic balancer, timing cover, valve covers, distributor, oil pan, and air cleaner round out this turn-key package—perfect for dropping into your next street-ready project.

Description:​

  • Horsepower & Torque: 465 Horsepower / 494 FT. LBS. Torque
  • Compression Ratio: 10:1
  • Aluminum Heads
  • Roller Cam
  • Cast Crankshaft
  • Forged Pistons

Block:​

  • Hand-Picked Seasoned Magnum Block
  • Square and Parallel Decked
  • Align Honed Main Bearing Bore
  • Cylinders Honed on Computer Controlled Machine to Within .0002 Straightness and Roundness
  • Cylinders are Sonic Tested for Thickness
  • 2-Bolt Main
  • 4.040" Bore
  • 2-Piece Rear Main Seal
  • Mech Fuel Pump Provision: Yes

Rotating Assembly:​

  • Cast Crankshaft
  • 4.000" Stroke
  • Forged Magnum 6.123" Connecting Rods w/ 150,000 PSI Bolts
  • Forged Pistons
  • Externally Balanced Front and Rear

Cylinder Heads:​

  • BluePrint Engines Assembled and Machined Edelbrock 61769 Casting
  • Aluminum Magnum Pattern Cylinder Heads
  • 58cc Chamber
  • Full Roller Rocker Arms
  • 2.02" Intake / 1.60" Exhaust Valves
  • 176cc Intake / 75cc Exhaust Runners

Cam Specs:​

  • Cam Type: Roller
  • .544 Intake / .541 Exhaust Lift
  • 236 Intake / 242 Exhaust Duration
  • @.050-110 Degree Lobe Separation

Ignition Timing:​

  • 34 Degrees Total at 4000 RPM

Also Includes:​

  • Holley 750cfm Classic Carburetor - BPP080508S
  • Thermostat and Thermostat Housing
  • Passenger Side Water Pump
  • Fuel Pump and Fuel Line
  • Spark Plugs and Wires
  • Harmonic Balancer
  • Timing Cover
  • Valve Covers
  • Air Cleaner
  • Distributor
  • Oil Pan

Notes:​

  • If installing with a Manual Transmission with .750" input shaft, Recommended Pilot bearing is PN FC-69907.
  • Recommended Pilot OD is 1.81"
Click to expand...
That'd be my guess.
 
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