Nick's '71 Barracuda - Backhalfing progress piccies

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Apr 16, 05 11:25 pm

Hi Everyone
Thought I'd post a few pictures of the progress of the backhalfing of my E body Barracuda.
Man, having owned this car for about 18 years - the first cut was definately the hardest!
Not gone too high with new rails, as trying to keep a bit of a boot and keeping original petrol tank, will also fit LPG tank to make journeys to strip/shows more affordable (should be able to save enough each time to fill the N2O bottle)

Next, frame connectors, roll cage, paint ...

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Apr 16, 05 11:34 pm

Checked over the motor, as well - seems to be OK

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Sat Apr 16, 05 11:42 pm

Wow, not much body left on that 'E body'!

The new rails look great though

brave man taking that on!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sun Apr 17, 05 10:39 am

Wow look at those slugs.

What compression is that engine?

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sun Apr 17, 05 10:41 am

Just under 11:1.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Apr 17, 05 3:19 pm

Nice to see the rear end worked out ok Nick

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Apr 17, 05 5:53 pm

Dave - as Kev sez, about 11:1 - hope they will be OK now with the crap petrol we seem to get nowadays

I'll just have to use some race gas if I have to

Still should be good on LPG when running around.

Wil - Thanks Neil, I couldn't have done it without your help

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sun Apr 17, 05 6:48 pm

If you use Shell Optimax, no more than 34 degrees total timing, and a nice long duration camshaft you should be OK.

If you want to run high 11s (about 11.8 I would guess) I have a used cam and lifters for sale that will do the job champion as well as drive well on the street.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 18, 05 8:09 am

Those two backhalfing pics are very useful to a novice like me who didn't have a clue what was involved.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon Apr 18, 05 10:37 am

I love shots like this...it looks so easy to throw a four link in have the whole thing welded up by teatime and drive down to Sainsbury's.

Luckily we all live in the real world and know the work involved, good stuff Nick!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 18, 05 11:17 pm

Dave - I was running at 34 degrees total, and got to low 12's with a Crower cam (286 In, 298 Ex - 0.486lift In, 0.507 Ex) Would be good to get into 11's (better into 10's

)
How does your cam compare? - Need more power with all the extra weight I have put in the car! (and I haven't got any lighter either!!)

Ivor and Wildman - Thanks for your comments, I hoped it would be of interest, more pictures soon

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Apr 19, 05 1:28 pm

My cam is 238/244 duration (@ 0.050") and 0.536/0.540 lift (1.5:1 ratio rockers).

Linda ran 12.2 first time out on normal street tyres with this cam. I have ran 11.9 but have had other problems holding me back every time. I strongly suspect our Challenger could have ran 11.8 with this cam.
However we use 1.6:1 ratio rockers and ported heads. Car weighs 3950lbs.

Your cam is using the old "advertised" duration numbers but will be something around 228/238 duration @ 50thou.

Those look like the standard size valves? To get the most out of my old cam you would be better off with ported heads and bigger valves. You should also relieve the area around the valves in the chambers and notch the cylinder tops to suit.
In effect gasket match the head gasket to the head and the block.

I was asking for ?75 for the cam and matching lifters. But will take an offer. You would need to contact Hughes Engines to check if your existing valve springs are up to the job though.

http://www.mopartalk.co.uk/mopartalk/vi ... php?t=2905

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Apr 28, 05 7:16 pm

Thanks Dave, Need to get the car on the road first, then I'll see whats left in the money pot

Subframe connectors are now tacked in - decided to connect to original rear frame, and then connect to new crossmember, reckon that should be strong enough.

Roll bar main hoop and rear bars tacked in.

From the pictures, you will see that the LPG tank has been placed to check clearance etc.

The sharp eyed amongst you will see that the tyres have grown - 31 x 16.5's just weren't big enough! - mind, its a bit tight in there now :-/
You might also see the footwell that seems to have disappeared!

Will post more pictures soon (I hope)

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Thu Apr 28, 05 8:01 pm

Looks good Nick I cannot wait to see the finished product but yours gonna be a bit pushed to have it ready for the Nats

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Apr 28, 05 8:38 pm

Guy wrote:Looks good Nick I cannot wait to see the finished product but yours gonna be a bit pushed to have it ready for the Nats

Too true Guy, and I was aiming for Brooklands! Problem now, is I'm running out of cash as well as time

Still, I'll keep plugging away!