Starting with a Mopar Performance R3, Con prepped the block and added a Scat crank, Scat H-beam rods, Diamond pistons, high-volume oil pump and a custom camshaft with a menacing idle – just what every tough street car deserves. The tough bottom end now sports a capacity of big block proportions – 441cubic inches! Con then added a pair of Edelbrock alloy heads and filled the gap with a Weiand tunnel ram and twin Quick Fuel 750cfm carbs to feed the fire below with ample amounts of 98-octane fuel. An ICE ignition system provides ample spark to burn the fuel. The exhaust system starts as a pair of snug fitting headers and flows through no less than four mufflers. On the dyno, the engine produced an impressive 703hp! An everpopular two-speed Powerglide has been adapted to the back of the rammed small block and uses a 5600rpm TCE converter to help send those stampeding ponies through to the TruTrak 9-inch diff fitted with 35-spline axles and full-floaters. Street car drivelines don’t get much tougher.
Not many people can say they kept their very first car, let alone attest to creating a mechanical monster with it. Theo’s intentions for the Val were obviously straight-line speed, so it comes as no surprise to see some basic steering, suspension and braking upgrades. The Torsion bar front end remains, but has been updated considerably with the fitting of the VC Commodore steering rack, Moroso Competition front shocks and Nolathane bushes. The rear-end scored a Gazzard Bros mono-leaf slide link, Moroso shocks and again, Nolathane bushes. Pulling the big Val up after a quick hit down the quarter is a quartet of disc – PBR on the nose and Wilwood on the rear, with the Wilwood master cylinder controlling all four. 78
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