lightest muscle car and the most powerful stock engine

[tivaelydoc]

I was thinking of building a car later and was thinking about mix matching a engine and a car. The 70's Dodge Charger with a 426 Hemi is pretty fast, but put that same engine in a lighter car, like a Belvedere, then it's even faster. I just want to know some opinions about this and what you think is a good lightweight muscle car, like a AMC Hornet or something, and a powerful engine, like a 1970 Buick 455 Stage 1.

[KManiac]

First of all, what you need to know is that a Dodge Charger and a Plymouth Belvidere are essentially the same car, a B-body Chrysler product.

A 426 Hemi is a good "oval track" motor, but not a good "1/4-mile" motor. A 440 wedge head is a better "1/4-mile" motor.

If you want a big engine in a light car, I would suggest a 440 in a Dart or Valiant. Or you might consider a 454 in a Chevy Nova or a 428 or 460 Ford engine in a Facon or Comet.

[MagicRat]

For truly light weight with a V8, go AMC. Most weigh less than 3000 lbs, some a lot less.
Late 60's Ramblers were light and roomy. An early '70's Hornet 2 door hatchback looks terrific and is compact.
Other AMC cars were even lighter, but look a bit odd, like Gremlins and Hornet coupes, but are super light.

AMC 304 - 360 - 390 and 401 cid engines will fit in all of them, with all factory parts, and can really be made to go.
The small block Chevy will also easily fit in all, too. A buddy of mine has a SBC Gremlin thats a real terror.

[MrPbody]

The lightest/most powerful muscle cars are, without a doubt, the Charger/Road Runner/GTX with the Hemi. A "B" body, as Kmaniac says, is a "B" body... They are a LOT lighter than they LOOK. No frame. Easily 200-plus lbs. lighter than the GM counterparts.

IMO, Hemi is a GREAT race engine, regardless of what KIND of racing. In street "trim", however, Hemi is useless. There are no real "street" tires that will hold one. For that, I agree, 440 is a better choice. But in real racin', Hemi is King Kong. One look at NHRA SS/A and SS/AA and you KNOW, Hemi IS the big dog... Now, Pro Stock is different matter, but those are modern cars, not muscle cars. And the 'Cudas aren't REALLY, either, they're "pony cars". They got plenty of muscle, though!

Jim

[SMOKSHO]

One of the lightest 60s cars was the 62-65 Chevy Nova. Not 100% sure but a 6 cylinder car with manual trans was 2600lb. I had a 1964 Nova with a destroked 400 or a 377 and IMO you will spend more cash on getting it to hook up than you will on HP. My son begged for this car and ended up with it and has since mini tubbed it and replaced the rearend with a Currie 9". But I see there are front and rear sub frames available to help some of the handling, braking and engine space problems. I think if I could get the car back I would like to change front sub frame, drop a 406 SBC in and go from there but the brat just will not sell it.