- Profile for Doug Mill’s ’57 Bel Air “Sleeper†-
Purchased in May 1972, my ’57 Chevy has gone from being a normal Bel-Air to one that is quite unique. Being a performance enthusiast, my goal was stock appearance with muscle car performance. The following summarizes the changes why this car is such a hit at the drags.
The Mechanicals ================================================== =============================
Engine – On June 30th, 2000, a new 408ci 4-bolt main small block, built by Dale Green of “DG Machine†in Auburn, WA, was fired up for the first time. The engine utilizes the following components:
· Air Flow Research 210 “Comp Pkg†100% CNC machined heads (#1103) with 65cc combustion chambers, 2.08/1.60 valves with 8mm stems and angle plugs. Specs at: http://www.airflowresearch.com/index.php?cPath=24_33
· J&E/SRP forged flat-top pistons - With the AFR heads the resulting compression ratio is 11.2:1.
· Eagle forged 4340 crank and 6-inch Hbeam rods, internally balanced rotating assembly.
· Competition Cams Extreme Energy "XR300HR" hydraulic-roller cam and lifters –
Lift: .562 int /.580 exh Duration at .050â€: 248 int / 254 exh
Complete specs at: http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDe ... d=163&sb=2
· Competition Cams “Pro-Magnum†1.52:1 roller-rockers (7/16†studs) and Competition Cams push rods.
· Edelbrock “Victor Jr.†aluminum intake manifold (#2975), port-matched by DG Machine in Auburn, WA.
· Holley 650 “Double-Pumpâ€carb (#4777) with Stage 3 build-up by Brad Urban’s “The Carb Shopâ€, now flows at 794 cfm.
A Barry Grant ½†phenolic spacer is used and the carb is fed via Mallory “Series 140†electric fuel pump with regulator.
· MSD “Pro-Billet†distributor (#85551): http://www.msdignition.com/product.aspx?id=5679
· MSD 6AL ignition box with rev-limiter and MSD “Blaster 2†coil. Note: All shifts made at approx. 5800 rpm.
· Accel 8mm “Extreme 9000†black silicone plug wires routed via R&M looms to AC “RapidFire†#5 spark plugs.
· ATI “Super Damper†(7-inch) balancer with Tavia pointer.
· Chevrolet GM high-performance air cleaner lid utilizing a K&N base plate and K&N 3†tall air filter.
· For cooling: 4-core "High Efficiency†Desert Cooler radiator, PermaCool 17†flex-fan with shroud, and an Edelbrock “Victor Series†aluminum water pump (#8810) with 170 degree thermostat.
Exhaust System – Hooker “Super Comp†1-3/4†full length headers (#2112-1HKR), ceramic coated, feeding 3" exhaust into Walker Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers, 3" in and out (#17769). Note that the headers tuck up nicely, even with the frame.
Transmission - TH400 built by Cary Holmgren of Tacoma, WA, coupled to a B&M “Quick-60†converter with 3600 stall. Note that the on-the-column shifter utilizing a Lokar linkage #ACA-1800, is still retained to preserve stock appearance!
Differential – ‘69 Camaro 12-bolt "Posi" with 4.10 gears, Moser axles with 1/2†studs, and Eaton heavy-duty center section.
Tires / Wheels – Street: 225/70-14 radial whitewalls on 6" rims. Strip: M/T 11.50x15 ET Streets on 8†rims with 4.5†offset.
Suspension – Nothing fancy!! Comp Engineering drag shocks set at 80/20 up front and good ol’ Gabriel "Hi-Jackers" air shocks with separate fill-lines control 5-leafwagon springs in rear. For brakes, late ‘70’s GM mid-size frontdiscs with stock drums in rear. Car has never used traction bars and has never had a problem with "wheel-hop"! It launches straight!
The Results ================================================== =================================
The above components make my innocent'57 manage a VERY respectable 1/4 mile result …
On a cool October 10th, 2009, the car ran its best-to-date ET, mph, and 60-ft …
11.385 secs @ 118.66 mph / 1.560 60-foot … lifting the left front 6†in the process!
Purchased in May 1972, my ’57 Chevy has gone from being a normal Bel-Air to one that is quite unique. Being a performance enthusiast, my goal was stock appearance with muscle car performance. The following summarizes the changes why this car is such a hit at the drags.
The Mechanicals ================================================== =============================
Engine – On June 30th, 2000, a new 408ci 4-bolt main small block, built by Dale Green of “DG Machine†in Auburn, WA, was fired up for the first time. The engine utilizes the following components:
· Air Flow Research 210 “Comp Pkg†100% CNC machined heads (#1103) with 65cc combustion chambers, 2.08/1.60 valves with 8mm stems and angle plugs. Specs at: http://www.airflowresearch.com/index.php?cPath=24_33
· J&E/SRP forged flat-top pistons - With the AFR heads the resulting compression ratio is 11.2:1.
· Eagle forged 4340 crank and 6-inch Hbeam rods, internally balanced rotating assembly.
· Competition Cams Extreme Energy "XR300HR" hydraulic-roller cam and lifters –
Lift: .562 int /.580 exh Duration at .050â€: 248 int / 254 exh
Complete specs at: http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDe ... d=163&sb=2
· Competition Cams “Pro-Magnum†1.52:1 roller-rockers (7/16†studs) and Competition Cams push rods.
· Edelbrock “Victor Jr.†aluminum intake manifold (#2975), port-matched by DG Machine in Auburn, WA.
· Holley 650 “Double-Pumpâ€carb (#4777) with Stage 3 build-up by Brad Urban’s “The Carb Shopâ€, now flows at 794 cfm.
A Barry Grant ½†phenolic spacer is used and the carb is fed via Mallory “Series 140†electric fuel pump with regulator.
· MSD “Pro-Billet†distributor (#85551): http://www.msdignition.com/product.aspx?id=5679
· MSD 6AL ignition box with rev-limiter and MSD “Blaster 2†coil. Note: All shifts made at approx. 5800 rpm.
· Accel 8mm “Extreme 9000†black silicone plug wires routed via R&M looms to AC “RapidFire†#5 spark plugs.
· ATI “Super Damper†(7-inch) balancer with Tavia pointer.
· Chevrolet GM high-performance air cleaner lid utilizing a K&N base plate and K&N 3†tall air filter.
· For cooling: 4-core "High Efficiency†Desert Cooler radiator, PermaCool 17†flex-fan with shroud, and an Edelbrock “Victor Series†aluminum water pump (#8810) with 170 degree thermostat.
Exhaust System – Hooker “Super Comp†1-3/4†full length headers (#2112-1HKR), ceramic coated, feeding 3" exhaust into Walker Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers, 3" in and out (#17769). Note that the headers tuck up nicely, even with the frame.
Transmission - TH400 built by Cary Holmgren of Tacoma, WA, coupled to a B&M “Quick-60†converter with 3600 stall. Note that the on-the-column shifter utilizing a Lokar linkage #ACA-1800, is still retained to preserve stock appearance!
Differential – ‘69 Camaro 12-bolt "Posi" with 4.10 gears, Moser axles with 1/2†studs, and Eaton heavy-duty center section.
Tires / Wheels – Street: 225/70-14 radial whitewalls on 6" rims. Strip: M/T 11.50x15 ET Streets on 8†rims with 4.5†offset.
Suspension – Nothing fancy!! Comp Engineering drag shocks set at 80/20 up front and good ol’ Gabriel "Hi-Jackers" air shocks with separate fill-lines control 5-leafwagon springs in rear. For brakes, late ‘70’s GM mid-size frontdiscs with stock drums in rear. Car has never used traction bars and has never had a problem with "wheel-hop"! It launches straight!
The Results ================================================== =================================
The above components make my innocent'57 manage a VERY respectable 1/4 mile result …
On a cool October 10th, 2009, the car ran its best-to-date ET, mph, and 60-ft …
11.385 secs @ 118.66 mph / 1.560 60-foot … lifting the left front 6†in the process!