As Seen in November Mopar Muscle Magazine
Fast Facts: 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
Car Owner: Tim Skardoutos Westlant, MI
Mopar Power
- Engine: Tim rebuilt his 340 and had Roush Racing perform the machine work. It now uses TRW pistons, Eagle rods, and retains the original crankshaft. The pistons feature a domed surface and raise compression to 11.7:1. A pair of ported and polished Edelbrock heads with 1.6 Crane Gold rockers, Ferrea stainless steel valves, and Comp springs has 65cc chambers. Custom valves covers made by TTS Racing and Frania Fabrication cover the rocker arms. Air is ingested through a Precision GT47-88 turbocharger and sent into a Honeywell air-to-water intercooler that is built to handle 1,200hp and features custom bowls by Frania Fabrication. Fuel is sucked from the 16-gallon fuel cell with a single A-1000 Aeromotive pump into Aeroquip lines using a Mallory return-style regulator. It's delivered through a Custom Pro Systems carburetor bolted to an M1 Mopar Performance intake. The new camshaft is a 284-degreee duration .528-inch lift mechanical roller. A pair of 321 stainless headers feed the turbo and the hot side of the exhaust is 304 stainless. Nick Frania at Frania Fabrication did all the fabrication work. Tim presumes it puts out approximately 650 horsepower to the tires at 10 psi.
- Transmission: The TorqueFlite was rebuilt by Tim and now features a TCI 3,250 rpm stall converter and a B&M Pro Ratchet Shifter.
- Differential: A Sure Grip 8 ¾-inch rearend with 4.10 gears.
Sure Grip
- Suspension: Stock restored suspension.
- Brakes: The Dart has been converted to '73 front Disc brakes.
- Wheels and Tires: Weld Pro Stars measuring 15x5 front and 15x10. For tires, Tim stuck with the safety and stability of radials with 195/75R15 Mastercraft A/S IV fronts and 325/60R15 Mickey Thompson Drag Radials out back.
High Impact
- Paint and Body: Tim's father, Tom, performed all the body work. They replaced the quarters, firewall, front fenderwells, and passenger side floor. Rust repairs were made to the roof due to neglect to the former vinyl top.
- Interior: The only original parts retained were the door panels and the rear seats. Everything else is like-new or NOS replacements.