Teddy Roosevelt may have coined the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick," but it is John Winslow's FT/SA '83 Dodge Ram that is the big stick. With Gary Harper piloting the NHRA legal Stock Eliminator Dodge D-150, the current NHRA record-setter (in FT/SA) has gone as quick as 12.59 seconds at 104.16 mph. Quite a feat when you consider that it was accomplished with a 3,995-pound pickup powered by a legal-for-Stock Eliminator competition 360 A-engine.
While actual dyno numbers are held closely, Gary notes that the engine produces "well over 350 horsepower." The combination was built by R&D Chassis and uses a cast-iron block with a 4.040x3.580 bore and stroke, stock rods fitted with ARP bolts, and TRW forged stock replacement pistons. Rounding out the 8.5:1 small-block are stock heads fitted with stock valvetrain. A Mopar Performance distributor is aided by an MSD ignition while a ThermoQuad rides on the stock intake. Spent gases are passed by Hooker Headers and full 3-inch exhaust system quieted by Borla XR1 race mufflers. Torque is multiplied by a Pro Trans 904 with a Munsinger converter controlled by a Turbo Action SCS Cheetah shifter.
Out back, an 831/44 rearend is home to 4.88:1 Richmond Gear ring and pinion and a Moser 35-spline spool. To get the power to the ground, a combination of super stock springs out back with stock coils up front work in concert with Competition Engineering shocks, front and rear. Weld Racing Pro Star wheels wear Hoosier 30x9x15 drag radials resulting in quick 1.634-second 60-foot times.
Inside, the truck is all function. A full set of AutoMeter gauges, a Grant steering wheel, and the cloth upholstery installed by El Gato Upholstery maintain an austere truck appearance, yet with full instrumentation. Originally, the truck was built by Total Performance of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Gary's blood runs true Mopar as he drives a wide assortment of Chrysler performance. In the arsenal is John's '63 Plymouth Fury convertible, a '64 New Yorker, and a 426W powered '65 Dodge Coronet. He also has a full-race '63 Polara which is campaigned in Division 7 NHRA Pro E.T.
In addition to the credit necessary for his Mopar passion, Gary offers many thanks to those who have supported him: "My sponsors Wheels & Deals of Silicon Valley, R&D Chassis of Penrose, Colorado, Speed Merchant Auto Stores, South Bay Driveline, and Kwik Way Mufflers have helped considerably. Additionally, my family, my grandparents, and my girlfriend, Jong, have offered a vast degree of support. Of course, I also thank John Winslow for giving me a chance to chase my dreams of someday being an NHRA world champion."
A chance to not only be champ, but to back it up with solid Mopar performance!