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I plan on hitting the track in the spring in the 64 442. I have a stock 330 for the car and another 330 long block to play with. I would like too see what it will run mostly stock and then test as I upgrade things. The car will remain a street car and i will retain the Muncie and stock rear end gears. I will install the stock engine, exhaust manifolds, points, but i will install a 2 1/2” flow master exhaust that i took off the 72 when i switched to 3”.
I’m trying to decide in what order to do mods and testing intervals. I will have my extra set of #1 heads gone through with a 3 angle valve job. I have contacted cutlassefi about getting me a cam. Ideally i would have the new cam in the spare short block and just swap engine’s. As of now nothing is set in stone, i have all winter to get a game plan.
This should be a fun project and keep me busy for the summer. I welcome any suggestions on how to improve E.T’s and what parts to use including tire’s, shock’s, cam, headwork etc. I will be using this car for weekend trips and cruise in’s so i don’t want it to be down for weeks at a time. I think it will be fun to see how much horsepower different speed parts are worth. Should be fun
I’d say gears...without even knowing what yours are.
You’re not going to have a lot of power...but ‘64’s are light right?
15.7 stock would be my guess.
-peter
I'm thinking 15's. But !!! Tuning , suspension tricks , gears and driving might get it down to 14's. I would do an x pipe , remove the sway bar for the track , 90/10's , 50/50 shocks in the rear .
I plan on hitting the track in the spring in the 64 442.
I would like too see what it will run mostly stock and then test as I upgrade things.
I think it will be fun to see how much horsepower different speed parts are worth. Should be fun
Indeed, I will be following your progress religiously.
With regards to your stock track times. I'm with the other fellow members figuring 15s.
Luckily you own one of the models that has legendary tests that we can look back on.
1964 442 Cut 4speed man 15.6- @ 89--- MPH 3770 lbs test with 3.23 rear ( Car Life August 1964)
1964 442 F85 4speed man 15.5- @ 90--- MPH 3440 lbs curb + 2 pass with 3.55 rear ( Motor Trend Sept 1964)
And below is what the lightest base equipped version of your model could run ideally via simulation.
1964 442 F85 4speed man 15.0- @ 94--- MPH 3550 lbs test with 3.36 rear ( Automobile Catalog simulation)
Now what I will add is that for some models like the 1964 442 and the 1969 CS, Automobile Catalog seems very optimistic. I personally have been chasing there simulated performance for my car for 5 years. I am still short but definitely getting closer to what they figure my car could've run (15.4 @ 91 MPH) when new. In my case I have never been able to locate an original road test for my car for reference. But figure my car as is, is testing better than it would of tested back in 69.
As far as potential goes for the 330 with mods, I think the sky's the limit... I think you may be able to drop better than 1 full second from its published times with 3 basic mods, drag radials, more gear, and headers, along with the proper tune... Getting into the 13s should prove much more challenging and will be really be fun to watch unfold.
Keep in mind driving has alot to do. Last time at the track. Ok my first pass I ran a 12.1 . Launched it at a lower RPM and shifted way soon the car also spun about 30 ft. Second pass I adjusted my self and clicked off an 11.68.
I had a mild little 350 in my 72 cutlass when I first got it done. It was pretty much a 9 to 1 engine with a 260h comp Cam , and Edelbrock intake, carb and headers. My very first time at the track it ran a 13.9. . The suspension was pretty much stock , it had a 3.42 gear the car weighed about 3600 ish with me in it. I also had a th400 with 2200 stall. I had manual steering, and exhaust cut outs. After the first time all it wanted to run was 14.0. I went from a 3.42 to a 3.73 with no difference. The biggest gain was an x pipe. I ran a 13.85 with the x pipe through the mufflers . Best run with the mufflers was 14.2 with the regual straight pipes and mufflers. All runs I manually shift the automatic.
That was just my experience with a very stock ish set up. It's not a 330 but I think any stock set up can easily dip into the 14's with proper tuning and hot rodding tricks that won't kill street manners. That same engine that ran 13's is now in my 77 pontiac bonneville. With a 3.08 gear and left in drive . Best pass was a 15.8 and I'm on the quest for 14's with that this next spring. It's the family cruiser so it won't see any higher gear over 3.42 .
Thanks for the info 69cshc! It looks like i should set my first goal at 90 mph. I have plenty of drag strip passes under my belt but none with a manual trans.
I will see if i can borrow some scales and weigh the car. It’s a post coupe with manual steering, manual brakes, and no AC.
Keep in mind driving has alot to do. Last time at the track. Ok my first pass I ran a 12.1 . Launched it at a lower RPM and shifted way soon the car also spun about 30 ft. Second pass I adjusted my self and clicked off an 11.68.
I had a mild little 350 in my 72 cutlass when I first got it done. It was pretty much a 9 to 1 engine with a 260h comp Cam , and Edelbrock intake, carb and headers. My very first time at the track it ran a 13.9. . The suspension was pretty much stock , it had a 3.42 gear the car weighed about 3600 ish with me in it. I also had a th400 with 2200 stall. I had manual steering, and exhaust cut outs. After the first time all it wanted to run was 14.0. I went from a 3.42 to a 3.73 with no difference. The biggest gain was an x pipe. I ran a 13.85 with the x pipe through the mufflers . Best run with the mufflers was 14.2 with the regual straight pipes and mufflers. All runs I manually shift the automatic.
That was just my experience with a very stock ish set up. It's not a 330 but I think any stock set up can easily dip into the 14's with proper tuning and hot rodding tricks that won't kill street manners. That same engine that ran 13's is now in my 77 pontiac bonneville. With a 3.08 gear and left in drive . Best pass was a 15.8 and I'm on the quest for 14's with that this next spring. It's the family cruiser so it won't see any higher gear over 3.42 .
It looks like i should set my first goal at 90 mph.
It’s a post coupe with manual steering, manual brakes, and no AC.
Great initial goal, I believe you can achieve it with no mods.
Post coupe is the lightest 64 442 at 3350 LBS base curb. Going by your options I'm gonna say you must be very close to that curb. If you have around 1/4 tank of gas that weight drops about 100 LBS. Assuming you weigh circa 200-225 LBS plus helmet and minimum what have yous. Maybe a 3500 test weight.
So now your lighter than an ideal simulation. Plus you will have the benefit of modern tires and track prep. Healthy engine, solid driving, and you could best both published tests. Maybe even close in on the simulation specs.
Both original road tested cars were power steering and I believe 2 passengers on board for acceleration tests. They were both run hard. Car Life hit 5500 RPM before each shift, while Motor Trends 64 442 took flight on the road course. Forever locked in history with this photo of it running through dips.
I had a mild little 350 in my 72 cutlass when I first got it done. It was pretty much a 9 to 1 engine with a 260h comp Cam , and Edelbrock intake, carb and headers. My very first time at the track it ran a 13.9. . The suspension was pretty much stock , it had a 3.42 gear the car weighed about 3600 ish with me in it. I also had a th400 with 2200 stall. I had manual steering, and exhaust cut outs. After the first time all it wanted to run was 14.0. I went from a 3.42 to a 3.73 with no difference. The biggest gain was an x pipe. I ran a 13.85 with the x pipe through the mufflers .
That same engine that ran 13's is now in my 77 pontiac bonneville. With a 3.08 gear and left in drive . Best pass was a 15.8
Originally Posted by VORTECPRO
Good information
Big time, I lifted the parts above especially for the drastic performance difference. It exemplifies the importance of the proper set up to take advantage of an engines power vs a car mostly set up for basic transport.
Figuring the Bonneville's test weight is 500 LBS heavier, its still leaving 60 HP on the table vs the Cutlass.
The 72 Cutlass's performance calculates to approximately 270 HP at the flywheel vs 205 HP for Bonneville.
The 260H cam is similar to a 1964 442s cam and very similar to the basic 350 stick cam.
The bonneville has no x pipe and the most BS. Excuse was my wife left it in drive 😂🤣. Plus in the 72 I had a TH400 . That eats up some HP. Plus that engine has been in service 10 plus years now.
My 64 F-85 post ran 1/4 in 12.04 at 115 MPH.
4.33 rear end posi, 400 trans shift kit 350 T/Q, 455 engine Ga heads Torker intake 800 carb. cam was a Mega cam 292. Heads had the center ports welded up and exhaust filled in with zinc. With headers, slicks, no pipes.
I only ran it one weekend It would of ran 11 if I had a good Torque Convertor like 350 HD stall. I sold the body and traded the 68 4.33 rear end to a Canadian for his 3.42 I now have ready to go into my 65 Cutlass (442) clone and I save the 455 and 400 trans too.
Gerald
My 64 F-85 post ran 1/4 in 12.04 at 115 MPH.
4.33 rear end posi, 400 trans shift kit 350 T/Q, 455 engine Ga heads Torker intake 800 carb. cam was a Mega cam 292. Heads had the center ports welded up and exhaust filled in with zinc. With headers, slicks, no pipes.