Everyone comes to the dyno with a different purpose. Some know those elusive few horses they need are out there somewhere, and perhaps a session on the big wheel can help them tune. Others know their rides make serious power, and they come just to flex their muscles in front of those gathered to watch. Still others have never dynoed their cars before, and are just curious to know what kind of horsepower they have. Whatever their reasons, they all share one thing in common: those anxious moments at the end of the pull, waiting for the numbers to ring up.
This year at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals, dyno services were provided by Back Street Performance of Medina, Ohio. Rich Johnson and the guys from Back Street were kind enough to let us loiter around and capture a sampling of some of the best and the rest from the weekend's dyno action.
Accept No SubstituteName: Rick SchutzLocation: St. Mary's, PennsylvaniaVehicle: '68 DartBest Pull: 482 hp; 548 ft-lbEngine Specs: Rick roared to the best pull of our group with a massive 520ci Mega block. The big-block Dart has a tunnel-ram intake, dual 750 carbs, a .670 roller cam, Brodix BS B1 heads, and 10:1 compression.
After Rick Schutz pulled 482 hp on his '68 Dart, everyone wanted to know what was under the hood. We'll give you a hint: It ain't got a Hemi.
Charging ThroughName: Jerry OberLocation: Mount Joy, PennsylvaniaVehicle: '69 ChargerBest Pull: 251 hp; 313 ft-lbEngine Specs: Jerry's 383 sports a Crane cam, Edelbrock intake and carb, and Dynomax headers. He lights the fire with an MSD/Mallory ignition system, and the exhaust flows through a Flowmaster setup.
Truck PowerName: Ronald TaylorLocation: Brownsville, PennsylvaniaVehicle: '01 Dodge DakotaBest Pull: 290 hp; 384 ft-lbEngine Specs: One of the newest entries to saddle up, Ronald's Dakota has a 3.9 Magnum V6 with a Powerdyne Supercharger. He uses JBA headers, nitrous, Accel boot ignition, K&N air filter, TransGo shift kit, and Lincoln Navigator 24 lb/hr injectors.
Raw Ragtop PowerName: Mike CiaravinoLocation: Selden, New YorkVehicle: '70 Challenger ConvertibleBest Pull: 368 hp;382 ft-lbEngine Specs: A big 440 sits in Mike's ragtop, and it made excellent power on the dyno, considering it is mostly stock. The only modification Mike noted was a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads.
Crate GreatnessName: Michael WillisLocation: Pittsfield, MassachusettsVehicle: '66 SatelliteBest Pull: 408 hp; 421 ft-lbEngine Specs: Michael's 472 Hemi crate motor showed its value by ripping off over 400 hp on all three of its pulls. He goes through the gears with a Tremec five-speed tranny unit and has upgraded the exhaust to a 3-inch TTI setup.
Geared UpName: Larry CarrLocation: Lebanon, New Hampshire Vehicle: '70 SatelliteBest Pull: 310 hp; 356 ft-lbEngine Specs: Larry runs 4.56 gears on his Dana 60 rearend, and they run from the automatic hooked up to his 440 engine. He has outfitted the 440 with Edelbrock heads, a Torker intake, a Speed Demon carb, and a Comp cam.
Furious FishName: Warren AbbottLocation: Baldwinsville,New YorkVehicle: '73 'CudaBest Pull: 388 hp; 472 ft-lbEngine Specs: A 340 hooked up to a 727 tranny provides the motorvation for Warren's fish. It made excellent power, featuring Diamond Pistons, Comp hydraulic cam, Rhoades lifters, Edelbrock EPS, and a TTI exhaust system.
Big BirdName: Mark ShankroffLocation: Myerstown,PennsylvaniaVehicle: '69 Road RunnerBest Pull: 392 hp;434 ft-lbEngine Specs: Mark's bird holds a 10:1-compression 440. The 831/44 rearend is hooked up to a four-speed and runs 3.91 gears. Ported heads and a 3-inch exhaust system combine to keep the flow going.
Stocked UpName: Mark AlbrightLocation: Lafayette, New YorkVehicle: '70 Challenger T/ABest Pull: 220 hp; 271 ft-lbEngine Specs: Mark's numbers were modest, but considering he runs a mostly stock 340 Six Pack, they weren't too bad. Some carb work, a bracket valve job, and a Hughes Engines cam are all the mods on the little Six Packer.
Good as NewName: Edwin ThompsonLocation: Jordan, New YorkVehicle: '67 GTXBest Pull: 340 hp; 388 ft-lbEngine Specs: Except for the camshaft, Edwin's 426 Hemi is stock all the way and runs with a four-speed tranny. These engines were rated at 425 hp from the factory. Why mess with a good thing?
Gentle GiantName: Doug WilsonLocation: Highland Lakes,New JerseyVehicle: '69 Charger R/TBest Pull: 327 hp; 352 ft-lbEngine Specs: This 426 Hemi pachyderm features a 5.10-inch-lift, 300-duration Isky cam and has a four-speed tranny that sends the power to a 4.10-gear Dana rearend. Doug's numbers were respectable for a Hemi, but there's more power to be had.
Right on TargetName: Mark LuffyLocation: Severn, MarylandVehicle: '68 ChargerBest Pull: 350 hp; 397 ft-lbEngine Specs: Mark's .030-over 440 includes a Hughes HE 3038 BL cam, Stage V heads, a Performer RPM intake, and an 800-cfm Holley double pumper. He runs 3.91 gears at the rear, and the engine is 9.7:1 compression.
Two Ways to HaulName: Michael WestfallLocation: Vestal,New YorkVehicle: '96 DodgeDakotaBest Pull: 292 hp; 346 ft-lbEngine Specs: Representing the trucking crowd, Michael runs a 408ci mill with 2.02/1.68 Hughes heads, Hughes cam, MP single-plane intake, Hughes T-body, and 1.60-inch roller rockers.
Style vs. SubstanceName: Robin StebbinsLocation: Lovettsville, VirginiaVehicle: '73 ChargerBest Pull: 205 hp; 281 ft-lbEngine Specs: Robin's Charger ain't purty, but considering he uses it for hauling, he was happy with his torque number. He uses 915 heads on the 360, with a 904 tranny, 811/44 rear with 3.21 gears, Holley Pro-Jection carb, Summit .204/.214 cam, Hooker headers, Flowmaster exhaust, and the intake from a '72 340.
'80s MuscleName: Chuck OliverLocation: Bethpace, New YorkVehicle: '83 Dodge MiradaBest Pull: 451 hp; 589 ft-lbEngine Specs: Chuck's post-musclecar-era Mirada drew a crowd and ripped off a torque number that was best in the group. On his Mopar Performance short-block, Chuck has Edelbrock heads, a B&M 174 blower, a 75hp N.O.S. Cheater system, and a 727 reverse manual valvebody that hooks to a 3.55-gear, five-spool rearend.