Hey Guys , I'm putting a two door post car together for my Daughters first car , it has the 170 in it now . I'm changing the 3 on the tree trans to the floor shift 230 for better driving and was wondering if I should upgrade to the 225 also ( I have one I just picked up ) ? It will be kind of my car also and the 170 sure is slow ... Does the 170 have any value to somebidy for race purposes to build ? I plan on shaving the head (probably a small cam and bigger exhaust also)and going to a SS for a nice upgrade on the 225 . Am I crazy to change the motor out ?

Daughter's first car? Give it a slow engine and excellent brakes! Seriously, the 170 in a lightweight early A-body with 3.55 rear axle provided good (if noisy) performance, up in the higher rev range the 170 likes, but in today's traffic the small engine is over its head in a heavier later A-body with a taller rear axle. The 225's much greater torque makes it easier to live with and more compatible with quieter and more economical rear axle ratios (and larger/safer tires).

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I wouldnt even blink at changing it to a 225,, as you said,, its kinda gunna be your car also,, update the motor,, but as SlantSixDan said,, make sure you give the car a nice set of brakes..

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Thanks guys , I agree the brakes were first on the list ( she wants paint first LOL !! ) . I have found a complete set of 10 " drums ( front and rear) from a 65 Barracuda , and I just pick up a set of 2 piston disk brakes ( SBP) from a 67 Barracuda ( no M/C or prop valve ) . Would the drums do the trick or should I bite the bullet and find the rest of the set-up for the disks ? ( I have a feeling I know the answer) .

Thanks,

Steve

Drums would be ok for YOU because you have probably driven lots of drum cars.I wouldnt even think about putting a young new driver in a car with drums,they wouldnt get it till it was too late.Mark

Now me being 17 almost 18 my thoughts prolly dont matter to you but I feel that the drums are fine. My dart has drums and i have never had an issue. Also i feel if you learn on drums if you get a disc brake car it makes it easier to switch than going from discs to drums the first time. Just my .02

id definatly swap the 225 in the 170 is nice if u want the quick rev for race applications but i love the torque of a 225!

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Just a thought, but somehow I, and many generations of drivers, have learned to drive drum brake cars without cracking them up. Are today's driver really that much stupider than yesterdays???

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Its more the other drivers out there,I drive a all drum 62 Valiant,I learned on drums.I leave plenty of space between me and the car in front only to have someone squeeze in that space.I just wouldnt want my son or daughter to get hurt because the brakes werent as good as the other idiots out there.Back when everyone had drums people didnt drive as fast or aggressive in my opinion.I do live in LA where if you dont drive 70-75 on the freeways you are getting passed.Also, most kids today learn on discs and re learning how to drive drums isnt what I want my kids to do.DRUMS for me,my kids would get Discs,,,Ex wife,,,, single master,leaky wheel cyls,shoes down to metal would be fine.Mark

Yes , it really should not have been a question , I want the best way to stop that car , period...

I already told her that she has to learn how to change a tire and the oil before she even gets a wiff of practice driving , and so far she is fine with that .

Thanks guys for the responses !!!

Discs, no question. The small-bolt discs are 4-piston (not 2). If you're going this far to change things, make life easy for yourself and go to the '73-up big-bolt single-piston discs. They're nicer and less costly to live with in just about every way.

If I were putting together a first car for a teenager with your basic parts, it'd be the 225, 3.23 gears, good tires of about 205/70R14 or so (BFG Radial T/A is a solid pick, or if you want super-duper, I really like the Vredestein Quatracs on my '73). Upgraded headlamps and brake lights (send me a PM), power steering, and good seatbelts.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

This is the reason I'm switching to disc brakes. These people aren't observant. I had a young woman attempt to merge into my truck as she entered the highway. I was surrounded by traffic, and had no where to go, so I had to edge the car over that was in the passing lane (luckily, without contact). She was involved in a phone conversation, probably something like this: "This jerk is cutting me off."