B-bodies are some of the most...
B-bodies are some of the most popular Mopars to build, but their size and weight present some special considerations. Follow along and we'll show you some tricks to make your B-body boogie!
Of all the body styles produced by Mopar, the B-bodies are some of the most recognized and sought after vehicles by many enthusiasts. Of the various reasons B-bodies are so popular, one of the biggest factors is that B-bodies were the flagships of the Chrysler Corporation during the heyday of the muscle car era, and as such they were raced in many highly popular Stock Car and Drag racing classes. Chrysler definitely exploited the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" philosophy of the time and engineered some of the best designed cars of the era specifically to win races.
Since winning races meant press coverage, the Mopar B-bodies got lots of exposure which led to some of the best sales numbers of any Chrysler products. So it's really no wonder there are so many B-bodies around today since they were some of Chrysler's most popular automobiles. But while true performance cars like the Road Runner, Super Bee, GTX, and R/T models were fairly well-rounded with stiff suspension and decent brakes, many of the lower models that are being built by enthusiasts today have woefully inadequate engines, brakes, and suspensions. Given also that by today's standards the mid-size Mopars of the '60s and '70s are anything but mid-size, they present some special considerations when being turned into street/strip machines. Follow along and we'll show you some tricks to make your B-body perform its best.
B-bodies are slightly larger...
B-bodies are slightly larger than their A- and E-body counterparts, but they can still perform very well with the right combination of parts.
It takes torque to move a...
It takes torque to move a heavy car, so consider a 360 if your car is a small-block, or a 440 if it came with a big-block. Stroker motors are also a great way to build torque, and work very well in B-bodies.
Exotic induction systems look...
Exotic induction systems look cool and make big horsepower numbers, but in a heavier car like a B-body, it's usually best to concentrate on low end torque.
When picking aftermarket parts...
When picking aftermarket parts for the engine in a heavier car, dual-plane intakes will generally provide more low-end torque than single-plane units.
B-bodies require more off-the-line...
B-bodies require more off-the-line torque to get moving, so if you're contemplating a cam change, consider one that makes plenty of low-end and midrange torque.
Comp has several choices that...
Comp has several choices that work well in B-bodies with both big- and small-block engines.
As we proved in a previous...
As we proved in a previous article, roller cams make more power across the board than flat-tappet camshafts are capable of. Still, remember to pick a cam that makes plenty of low-end to get your B-body moving.
For the ultimate in torque,...
For the ultimate in torque, a stroker kit is a great way to make big gains. Fortunately, stroker kits are readily available for virtually any Mopar engine you're considering.
If you want to simply bolt...
If you want to simply bolt on more torque, nitrous oxide is a good way to do it.
There are plenty of systems...
There are plenty of systems available, and some can even be hidden in the air cleaner (shown above).
If you're upgrading to headers,...
If you're upgrading to headers, we suggest smaller primary tubes for more torque. Large tube headers flow great at high rpm, but for low end power the engine must build some backpressure so smaller primary tubes tend to be the best choice.