My latest project: 1970 Dodge Dart 512 C.I. Bracket Racer

Some of you may remember that I used to have a 1972 Dodge Dart which I drag raced.

Well, I got the itch to get back into racing Our new house is only 3 miles from the Speedworld racetrack and I can faintly hear them running the cars from our house. It was just too much for me to bare I haven't been doing much in the way of local fourwheeling, so I thought drag racing would give me something to do on the weekends.

A couple weeks ago I bought a 1970 Dodge Dart off of E-bay. The car was located in New Jersey, a mere 2500 miles from home I decided this was the right car for me mainly because I really needed to get out of the house on my own for a couple weeks and this was just the excuse I needed

The car is going to be stripped and repainted. It will get new quarter panels, at least one rocker, one floorpan, new door hinges, fiberglass hood, bumpers, and most likely trunk lid as well.

The new color will most likely be orange, but it just may end up being red, like my old one. Plans for it include a 650HP, 512 CI, big block Mopar and an automatic transmission. I'm just not sure if it will be from BB or SB or whether or not it will even be a Mopar I plan on ditching the torsion bar front suspension for an aftermarket K member which gives you rack and pinion steering, upgraded brakes, and the choice of coilover shocks or airbag suspension.

The rear end in the car right now is a trussed Mopar 8 3/4", with a three link suspension and coilovers.

 

[BKennedy]

Don't you just love it when a faulty custom ordered part is the problem, and the company who built it says its fine? I had the same problem with the Bowtie 700R4 in the Explorer. After it was installed, it would only go backwards. It had to be pulled back out and sent back . Bowtie said there was nothing wrong with it and sent it back. We noticed it had been completely rebuilt, which would be a strange thing to do with a transmission with "nothing wrong". After it was in and working, I had to take it to another transmission place to have them tune it and take the shift-kit out that I specifically told them not to put in the first place. You know, 4X4, very low gears, lockers and shift-kits do not mix very well. Arrrrrgggggggggg
I think you have the right idea, get another torque converter from another company.

 

[Maniak]

Don't you just love it when a faulty custom ordered part is the problem, and the company who built it says its fine? I had the same problem with the Bowtie 700R4 in the Explorer. After it was installed, it would only go backwards. It had to be pulled back out and sent back . Bowtie said there was nothing wrong with it and sent it back. We noticed it had been completely rebuilt, which would be a strange thing to do with a transmission with "nothing wrong". After it was in and working, I had to take it to another transmission place to have them tune it and take the shift-kit out that I specifically told them not to put in the first place. You know, 4X4, very low gears, lockers and shift-kits do not mix very well. Arrrrrgggggggggg
I think you have the right idea, get another torque converter from another company.

I had the same kind of probs with bowtie.. But thats another story They aren't getting to touch my 700r4 ever again.

~Mark

 

[Rick]

Transmission is on it's way back, and the new torque converter is done and shipped out today

Should be ready to check it out during the "Hangover Nationals" over New Years weekend

 

[Rick]

Both the tranny and the new torque converter arrived today

 

[GJarrett]

fingers crossed...... (saving bounce smilie until after next run)

 

[Rick]

A couple new photos...

Heading to the track tomorrow to see if the new torque converter is going to do the trick! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed!!

 

[RangerX]

I love the color of your house!

 

[BigRondo]

I love the color of your house!

x2.

 

[Rick]

Success at last!!

No more tranny issues!!!

Ran a 10.51 @ 127 mph with a 1.45 second 60ft time. Ran damn good, foot to the floor the whole way down. Not only was it running quick, but it was amazingly consistent as well, I made 4 passes in the 10.51 - 10.52 range. Just what it needs to be a consistent bracket racer

Next time out I'll be doing some racing, not just test & tune

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

 

[techieman33]

Those are great times, and great consistency. It's good that you were finally able to get all the kinks worked out.

 

[SVTmountianeer]

Thats awesome Rick sweet ride

 

[BKennedy]

 

[Turdle]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum!

LMAO Jon!!

 

[Maniak]

Rick,

Now that you can get real runs can you do the math to figure you hp/torque numbers the motor is putting out?

~Mark

 

[FROADER]

Congrats on getting this thing working like you want, Rick.

 

[Stic-o]

A couple new photos...

Request for same photo but with the pumpkin in the last stall on the other side of the dart, or switch with the stang first for contrast:

 

[GJarrett]

Amazing consistency! Can't wait to hear about your upcoming brackets!

 

[Rick]

Wanna go for a ride???



Pit to pit video - Getting ready, burnout, run, and crawling out...