I really enjoyed your wedged to the max project Barracuda.

I'm running a combo that's very similar.  500ci, 440-1 Indy head, full port, 12.5 to 1,  636 roller cam, 1090 Demon on Indy intake with spacer.

Hedman big tube and single chamber flow masters. 727 trans and dana 60 back/halved 68 barracuda.

This engine is Dyno tuned. Best run to date at 3300 lbs. with driver is 6.24 @ 112 with 1.34 60 ft. 

You didn't mention gear ratio in your car. I launch at 5000 rpm's and shift at 6400 rpm's. Peak 720 hp was at 6700 rpm's and peak 635 tq. was at 5800 rpm.

My car currently has 4.56 gears. I tried 488 but slowed down a tenth in 1/8 mile. My 4.56 gears run out around 900 ft. I tried shifting at higher rpm's, still won't run 1/4 mile. Even at higher rpm's, 1/8 mile et is not improved.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as racing season is starting soon. I'm thinking 4.30 or 4.10 gears.

P.S.  I feel like this car should run 6.0's or 5.90's in 1/8 mile with correct gear ratio and would be able to run 1/4 mile on occasion. I also feel that a big block car set up for 1/4 mile would also run it's best 1/8 mile with same gear ratio. Is that a correct assumption?

fatfish racing

fatfish68@bellsouth.net

fatfish,

The wedged to the max car had 4.88s but I went to 4.56 ratio. This is with 14.5 x 32 tall tires. I noticed no change in eighth mile elapsed times after the gear change.

Launching at 5,000 and shifting at 6400 doesn't give your car much room to work. I launch at 4400 and shift at 6800, then go through the traps in the quarter at 7,000. I set the car up for the quarter and just let it run what it runs in the eighth.  

Remember your shift point is not at peak horsepower, you should shift to put the rpm where you want it in the next gear. This usually means shifting somewhat later than the peak h.p. rpm. In general, anything under 7,000 in a big-block should live ok, so I'd start by increasing shift points.

We are also running a little more cam and wider lobe separation than you are and about a half point higher compression. From the description of your combo you should be able to get 6 teens at least. At your weight and with the cam/compression 5.90's is probably not realistic.