The test vehicle for today’s Carolina Performance dyno session is none other than the G-Body belonging to the Old Man’s Garage. Called Cracker Barrel (CRKABRL), this Malibu has been upgraded with a brand new Chevy 400 small block. It is running a stock bottom end with a set of Trick Flow cylinder heads. Don’t look for the turbos and forget the supercharger, this heavy Chevy is getting a jump off a double shot of go-go juice from Nitrous Express. That’s a GM 700R automatic transmission with a (Ford) 9-inch rear end. The Old Man is on radials today with 750 and 950 cfm ATM carburetors.
After several dyno pulls, the crux of the situation is this: Without nitrous, an increase of 16whp could be realized by switching from pump E85 to Ignite Red. Beyond that, I was surprised to see the SRC Malibu hit 776hp and nearly 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.
Keep watching as the Old Man illustrates the key difference between dyno and the pavement at Wilkesboro Dragway. Old Bill has a head full of knowledge and fast car.