As a young-ish hot rodder, one of my other cars is a 52 Ford pickup, set up to drive as a powerful, comfy car......built for purpose.
My current AT4 329 I specifically sought out to haul 2 tons of chemical for my new business.......suitable for purpose.
I've finally been able to drive my new Dodge around the last few days - Slant 6 is fine....but I do have a 2bbl manifold and 350 Holley for it that I hope will let it breathe a little more deeply once she's up and going.
Top speed - 100 kays to stay up to modern traffic - seems to be most limited by;
- Diff ratio
- wobble
- bounce
- lack of brakes
While I'm hoping my new tyres, good used steering box, a check of the cab mounts, and maybe a birthday for the driveshaft will cure most of the wobble and bounce, it would nee something more to be "well mannered" as a modern daily driver.
After the last 5 years driving a new Falcon, I can tell you.......modern gear box turns a taxi motor into a fire breathing race engine.
Don't need to change the Dodge diff ratio......just get an O/D gear box to get that extra 10-15 kmh on top end, while keeping that stump pulling take off traction.
You could use a Dellow conversion to add a Toyota 5 speed manual, probably cost you approx. $2k by the time you rig up a hand brake arrangement.
Since Mopar O/D autos are not too common (although modern Jeep stuff might bolt up ???), this leaves us looking at Ford or GM auto boxes....
If going that way, a 10 year old Statesman donor car can be had for under $2k, and will give LS1 5.7L, 4 speed O/D auto, and plenty of spares to sell off too!!
With my Ford preference, I'm having visions of an NC Fairlaine 4 speed auto bolted to one of my spare 351Cs, just in case.
Ofcourse, if money was no object, there are plenty of crashed Chrysler 300C 6.4 Hemi's getting written off around the place... :woohoo:
