Hi Dana, Thanks, man. There's my car on the list! Much more of this positive input and I'll have to get back to the track. I should mention that should be a DP4B for my little low-deck. L8R
How fast is a 2008 Mustang GT, cause I've wasted quite a few of those things -- they get a 2 car length jump on me at the start because I can't give the beasty full throttle right away, but after 25mph the power comes on like a freight train and by 1/8th mile all they see is my tail pipes. I think I'm in the upper 13's at 95-100mph, but I won't get to the strip to find out until October-November when it cools down.
68 Newport Conv. 383HP, TTI dual exhaust, comp cams EX268H cam, edelbrock performer manifold and 750cfm Afb. Latest chassis dyno shows 311 horsepower at rear wheels. 3900lbs empy, 4175lbs with driver (I'm on the hefty side) <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sun Aug 10 2008, 12:03AM ]</span>
Wow, those are outstanding times! Especially for a "lowly 383" - that thing has to be making at least 370-380 at the crank, and that's 440 Super Commando territory! I think the 4.6L Mousefangs are putting 250-270rwhp, about the same as what my 340 Valiant is making. They're not much lighter than the Newp, so it's no mystery you're blowing them in to the weeds.
I'm REALLY inspired by your times - I'd be tickled pink if my 68 Sport Fury would knock down a 13.xx quarter mile. With your times sitting right there, I have at least a little hope that I can make it. Gotta get her on the road first...
383's can make a ton of power if setup right. How you set it up depends on how much power you want to make. A set of good headers and mandrel bent 3" exhaust pipes, along with a moderate cam (284-292), single plane manifold and 800 cfm carb can get you about 450 horsepower. At this power level you should start upgrading your torque converter, maybe get a sure grip rear end, etc, but it starts to get expensive. Conversly, factory HP manifolds, good 2 1/2 " pipes, a mild cam (268), dual plane intake and 750 cfm carb will get you about 375 dead reliable horsepower for everyday driving without having to upgrade everything else, and will get you to the magic 100 mph in the quarter. (As long as you keep the car light--thats why I like the plain Jane Newports, they didn't have too many weight adding options, but ride as smooth as glass.)
A 383 will never make the power/torque of a 440, but they rev up much quicker due to their shorter stroke. Don't forget that the 383 was the engine that gave Mopar its performance image - they were the base engine in the Roadrunners and Super Bees that terrorized the GM and Ford guys out on the streets of everday America. The much vaunted Hemi's were extremely rare (and finicky), and the hopped up 440's weren't all that common either, while the 383's were everywhere, easy to soup up, and ran forever.
Way back in time when I was a machinist, my shop made 383's for police pursuit cars because the short stroke kept them together a lot longer at extended high speeds than the more powerful 440's. (The 440's tended to pull the wristpins out of the pistons when revved up above 5,500 rpm for extended periods.)