Steve won too !!!!!!

[NOT A TA]

Another member here Steve "AUTOXCUDA" also won in the Performance therapy online car show photo contest. His entry was a pic on track of his 68 Barracuda in a corner that won in the "racing" catagory. I like his car a lot because it's out there on track (and I like Cudas). With a really raw, old school look complete with the white roof a lot of cars were painted with in the 60's to keep them cooler in the summer before AC became more widely used. When I was a kid my parents cars got the white roof paint treatment by the dealer at my dads request before delivery.

Steve's car is another perfect example for me to jump on the "GO DRIVE THEM" soapbox. If he wasn't out at the track having fun he wouldn't have gotten the pic or prize. .... >>>Steps off soapbox

Steve, how about sharing some pics with everyone? C'mon post um up, I know you got um!!!!!

[autoxcuda]

Oh oh, I got called out....

It means a lot to me right now to win something. No matter what the actual gift certificate is. It's just something positive. I'm an outside sales consultant for automotive repair industry and things have gotten restructured and slowed down the past two years. So, I haven't done much to the Barracuda in that time unless I run into a super deal at a swap meet or something. Since it is my only running vehicle right now, the main objective is getting to the grocery store and back.

This was a great contest and MANY MANY thanks to Hotchkis Sport Suspension, Baer Brakes, Rushforth Wheels, Yokohama Tires, Red Line Oil, Lifeline Fire Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Flowmaster, Internet Brands, and Hot Wheels.

I always post picture of Mopars out at the Spring Fling Speed Festival to encourage more Mopars to come out to track days and autocrosses across the country. I worked with Tim Herren to create the Spring Fling Speed Festival which is the largest track gathering of older Mopar in the country. I’m also one of the founding members of a web board, Mopax, dedicated only to serious Mopar track and autocross car owners.


Steve Wall
68 Barracuda Autocrosser

[autoxcuda]

This is from my old webpage, 68 Cuda Autocrosser that AOL Dumped.

SPECS

'68 Barracuda 340 Formula "S" Coupe

SCCA Autocross E-Street Prepared

At Oskaloosa Iowa airport SCCA Solo II

ENGINE

• SHORT BLOCK: original ‘68 block, never bored just ridge-reamed 50K miles ago in 1993 , stock 10.25:1 pistons, windage tray
• OIL PUMP: high volume
• HEADS: ‘68 X casting , hardened seats, new springs, guides, complete valve job
• VALVE COVERS: Old Cal Custom finned ($20 swap meet) with steel core MP gaskets for good no leak and removeable seal
• CAM: Chysler P# replacement 268/272 .445"
• INTAKE: Weiand #8007 dual plane (given to me)
• CARB: number matching Carter AVS, stock jets
• IGNITION: electronic with orange box, currently: advance in by 1800 rpm, 4 deg. initial to avoid pinging
• Future plans: God knows how many miles are on it. This motor deserves a rebuild ! It's paid its dues. Factory aluminum water pump. Aluminum oil filter adapter. Baffles in oil pan. fuel injection? Spark box?

EXHAUST

• EXHAUST MANIFOLDS: ‘68 340 right, ‘74 360 left with cast heat stove provision (inside identical to ‘68)
• EXHAUST: stock left, right: 2 ½" dia. aluminized 14 gauge full length that I bent, very tight at rear, will pay someone to make left
• Future plans: Tri Y headers or something with good ground clearance. Sounds like Spitfire Headers can make something promising and affordable.

TRANSMISSION

• TRANS: 727 Torqueflite, TCI shift kit, Type F fluid, will hold gear, can downshift, bang-screech
• SHIFTER: Worn beat-up B & M Quicksilver that came with car, ratchet action, sometimes a pain
• Future plans: Trans cooler with braided lines. 4spd or 5spd Manual would be really cool

REAR END

• REAR END: 8 ¾ Sure Grip 3.23:1

BODY

• WEIGHT: 3350 lbs without driver on a Grain Scale. Be careful referencing to cars that have not been on a scale
• COUPE BODY STYLE: less rear flex, less weight , less weight in rear ( good and bad ), A body Cuda's have very good tire clearences all the way around as compared to other A bodies.
• Future plans: battery relocated to rear, front air dam, fender lipping

SUSPENSION

• TORSION BARS: .99" 184 Lb./ft wheel rate stock .87" 109 Lb./ft, livable, stiff, train tracks feel like bottoming out
• REAR SPRINGS: Stock for 8¾ 68 Formula S. Car seems balanced now. Might need stiffer so don't need rear sway bar. If so, will just add leaves to dial in. But soft helps planting and rear transfer. Good shocks might have to come first. Need testing to sort out.
• FRONT SWAY BAR: Addco 1 1/8" ($40 used)
• REAR SWAY BAR: ¾" dia. Addco aftermarket ($35 used)
• SHOCKS: Front QA1 single adj ($75 used) blew out all my hand-me-down used Konis, Rears: Hand me down KYB's
• POLYGRAPHITE: sway bar, brake strut rods, lower control arms. Leaf bushings; can hear slight resonance when added to rear. Would not use LCA poly again.
• UPPER A-ARM BUSHINGS: offset, Moog prt.# 7103 installed opposite, more caster, more road feel, more high speed stability
• STEERING STEERING GEAR: Replacement Mopar remanufactured. Large steering gear spline, crisp, firmer, but not Firm Feel
• PITMAN, IDLER, CENTERLINK: all ‘73-‘76 A-body, to accept large spline gear
• POWER STEERING FLUID: Justice Brothers heavy duty, don't change often, so extra cost is cheap assurance
• POWER STEERING CAP: later style multi knobbed style with rubber baffle to stop spitting up.
• Future plans: Adding factory power steering cooler, in-line filter, and braided lines for power steering .

BRAKES

• PADS: Discontinued Mopar Police Spec Semi Metalic units ($15 swap meet score)
• DISKS: 11.75" dia junkyard single piston disks
• BRAKE LINES: braided, w/banjo on caliper end for rear caliper placement
• BRAKE FLUID: Justice Brothers High Performance Dot 4
• MASTER CYLINDER: Mopar Performance alum. 2 bolt, 1-1/32" bore, firm immediate pedal, feels great, not for your grandma. Started with manual drums. Thicker master cly adapter to adj. pedal height down. Be aware of pushrod length.
• PROPORTIONING VALVE: Willwood adjustable, had drum brakes so need some proportioning valve
• DRUMS: vented "bell or hat" drums for cooling
• REAR AXLES: 4 ½" bolt redrilled pattern
• Future plans: AREngineering Brembo 13" dia or similar Willwood

WHEELS

• 15x8 4 1/2" backspace Rallyes with 245/50/15 BFG Comp T/A's ZR all around. (That size is totally discontinued)
  Future plans:17x9 with 275/40/17 all the way around

INTERIOR

• STEERING WHEEL: LaCarra 15" padded leather, better grip, small dia. gives more responsive feel ($30 never installed swap meet score)

• SEATS: Used Toyota Celica GTS increased g’s so need better seats, must race car from drivers side
• Future plans: I have one new Scat Pro seat I got for $50 at the swap meet. Would like to find it a mate.

[WS6]

hey congrats on the award.

[Kenova]

Nice! I have a soft spot (head or heart - you decide) for the '67 - '69 'Cudas.
I never cared for them much until a close friend of mine bought a '69 Formula S in the mid '70s. It wasn't long earning my respect.
I sometimes wonder if I miss it more than he does.
Congrats on the win. As you mentioned, it's something positive to keep you moving forward.

Ken

[Chuck Byram]

Autoxcuda,
You're an inspiration to me! I have hung on to my beloved car (an IROC) through tough times that got tougher and I still enjoy it even though I've not been able to bring it to the state I can see in my imagination. Keep on keepin' on!
Best,
Chuck

[autoxcuda]

Autoxcuda,
You're an inspiration to me! I have hung on to my beloved car (an IROC) through tough times that got tougher and I still enjoy it even though I've not been able to bring it to the state I can see in my imagination. Keep on keepin' on!
Best,
Chuck

Thanks.

Run whatcha brung !!

[Chuck Byram]

Roger that!

[Bjkadron]

Nice! I was wondering how I'd find out all this info when AOL killed their hometown section! Cool stuff Steve!

[dadto2jays]

Congrats !!!!!!

[rlplive]

I can dig it.

[autoxcuda]

Nice! I was wondering how I'd find out all this info when AOL killed their hometown section! Cool stuff Steve!

Yes, that sucked when they did that.

I bent a rim at Willow Spring a couple of years ago. I don't know how I haven't been able to feel it. Can it bend perfectly centered??...



So I think I'm going to swap these optima Minilite copies on the car. I got all four for $120. Seller said they were mounted on a car but never driven. Who knows, but they are in really nice condition but faded from being outside.

Problem is they are 15x9 with only 4 1/8 backspace. My 15x8's with 4.5 just keep my 245/50/15 comp t/a's from rubbing the fenders. I think I will be cutting/lipping/folding the fender lip back. I need to do that for 17x9 5.5 backspace

[trapin]

Awesome. Great job!

[Bjkadron]

Yes, that sucked when they did that.

I bent a rim at Willow Spring a couple of years ago. I don't know how I haven't been able to feel it. Can it bend perfectly centered??...



So I think I'm going to swap these optima Minilite copies on the car. I got all four for $120. Seller said they were mounted on a car but never driven. Who knows, but they are in really nice condition but faded from being outside.

Problem is they are 15x9 with only 4 1/8 backspace. My 15x8's with 4.5 just keep my 245/50/15 comp t/a's from rubbing the fenders. I think I will be cutting/lipping/folding the fender lip back. I need to do that for 17x9 5.5 backspace

Well If you decide that they won't work... or you just don't want to bother with the hassle... Let Me know! I love minilites!! ;)