To ensure proper ignition and expulsion of the spent fumes, we called on MSD and TTI respectively. TTI is known for quality exhaust components, and they recommended their off-the-shelf step headers and 3-inch exhaust system. MSD provided the Blaster coil, plug wires, 6AL ignition box, and billet distributor to ensure our boosted mixture ignites at the proper time. To further control detonation, we also installed a water injection system from The Supercharger Store. This system uses distilled water to keep the intake temperature at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water slows the flame front as well, effectively increasing the octane of the fuel.
Since our Scamp was shaping up to be a real performer, we decided to make it look its best as well. Taking the car to Goal 45 Motorsports, we ordered two Chrysler colors, Inferno Red and Cool Vanilla, from local M&M Paint, then applied the two-tone paintjob in their booth. Alejandres Upholstery stitched up the interior to match the outside of the car, and we had the windows tinted as well.
Though our goal was to have Bob and the crew from The Supercharger Store drive the Scamp to the Mopars at the Strip show in Vegas, we just barely got it put together in time, finishing the car the night before they had to leave. Since there was no time for any shakedown passes or even to put some miles on the car, we decided not to risk it and took it to the show on the trailer. At the show, the car was driven regularly, performing great on the street. The one pass we got to put on the car in Vegas yielded a 13.2 second elapsed time at 109 mph which isn't bad, but is a little shy of our goal.
After the Vegas show we put about 300 miles on the car and performed a little carb tuning. Taking the Scamp back to the track yielded best of 13.6 seconds in the quarter-mile at 114 mph. Knowing that the car's mph reflected plenty of power to run 12s in the quarter, we knew the problem was with our sixty foot times. In our attempt to achieve fuel economy, our 3.23 rear gear ratio, combined with 27-inch-tall tires and a tight converter, just wasn't letting the car launch. Changing to a 3.91 gear, we went back to the track and ran the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 118 mph, verifying our combination could go 12s with relative ease.
Overall, we're impressed with the performance of this combination. The car drives nicely, idles at 700 rpm with some 12 inches of manifold vacuum, and everything fits under the stock hood. With the 3.23 gears, we can easily cruise 75 mph at a relatively low 2,900 rpm. At those speeds, the car got an impressive 16.2 mpg, with plenty of power throughout the rpm range. Additionally, our performance goals were originally based on a 3,400-pound car, and as raced our Scamp tips the scales at some 3,650 pounds with driver. When you consider that this is an air-conditioned street car that comfortably cruises to the track and runs 12s, the performance of this 318 is unquestionable. As is, this combination is a viable alternative to the stroker big-block or Hemi engine, and with a little development would be nothing less than wicked.