Dutra, aka Doctor Dodge, has written countless technical articles and built as many slant six powered machines. Doug is the Technical Advisor and Slant Six Guru Extraordinare at Slantsix.org, as well as just one of the troublemakers behind the Killer Bees – a roaming fleet of buzzin’ half dozens that gather most anytime there’s a Mopar-oriented drag race going on. There are no rules for the Killer Bees other than the obvious engine requirement, and the idea that things are kept on a budget fitting of the economy leader in the performance Mopar lineup. The 12.70 best elapsed time on the Dutra Special is the end result of years of development, which includes casting his knowledge into a set of intake and exhaust manifolds for the mighty Slant 6.
The 1962 Lancer is sort of a Dart, and kind of a Plymouth. Valiant was the beginning of all new compact thinking at Chrysler for 1960. The slant six was to power this new idea. Plymouth only later became attached to Valiant, and the Dodge Dart was a full size offering for a time before the moniker was applied to the new for 1963 compact fleet. Dutra’s Lancer was originally equipped with a 170 cubic inch mill as a base model Dodge Lancer. Doug built the 270 cubic inch engine in the car now with durability in mind, and to last through a season of racing without any drama. So far the engine has been under the hood for two! Doug picked up the Lancer after his slant six 1968 Plymouth Barracuda met its demise in a wreck. While the Barracuda may have been mistaken for a V8 car, the Lancer sends a clear message about what’s under the hood. “This early Lancer screams slant six”, said Dutra.
More: Find (much) more Slant Six everything over at Slant6.org
This might just be my favorite car of the week.
Still, as proof the Australians really have been getting it right all along, they seem to have explored the performance potential of these engines in a way we just didn’t (and then followed it up with the Hemi 6).
You like slant sixes? Check out my friends sight. This guy loves em too! Here it is-moparwriteups.com
Awesome.
Well done and thanks for the write-up.
There is a strong group of SL6 racers and owners out there so come join the fun!
D. Dutra
Ahhhh, so many fond memories of cutting my wrenching teeth on a ’64 Valiant coupe that my great aunt bought brand new off the showroom floor, complete with dash mounted push button transmission. My dad inherited it when she passed away and gave it to me my junior year in high school where I promptly ran it up to 110mph and seized the engine. An engine overhaul and fresh “Wimbleton White” paint job later, I had myself a great first vehicle that lasted me for a few years until the trans dropped and I got tired of the constant repairs. Good times!
At one time, I owned an early 70s Plymouth Valiant, with a 225 ci. slant 6 engine. An ex fleet mule that had sat for a number of years prior to my purchase. After a number of repairs with used bone yard parts it served as a very reliable car that was capable of 25 miles per gallon when driven at a steady 50mph on the open highway.
My daily driver is an ’80 Volare. The original engine was sabotaged and destroyed, so it now has an engine from a ’76 dart, which I will soon be going through again to make sure all is good. The 225 in my car now has enough torque and power that it destroys all light-duty rear ends. I have to use a 10-bolt out of a station wagon, but, when I can tweak my baby to achieve 47 mpg around 65-70 mph on the highway, I could care less what Dodge, Plymouth, or Chrysler my parts come from. Later on I will be upgrading to the 2-barrel carburetor. My engine was only made for about 4 years, and was designed to rip a Ford or Chevy small V8 off the line and will be pushing around 180 horse power once I upgrade to the 2 barrel carburetor, right now, she is pushing 147 horses with a 1-barrel.
Most say the 225 is a pain to work on, but I love it and do all my own work so I know what i have under the hood.