1974 Chevelle 454 Drag Races 1969 Olds Cutlass W-31: Video

July 20, 2023 11:02 am

We’re headed back to the drag strip, this time with a matchup between a 1974 Chevelle 454 and a 1969 Olds Cutlass W-31. These two machines will line up for three rounds of straight-line racing, but the question is – which will walk away victorious?

Coming to us from the Cars And Zebras YouTube channel, the video is a little over seven-and-a-half minutes long, and includes walkarounds and specs on both vehicles, all done in the classic C&Z style.

Let’s start with that 1974 Chevy Chevelle, which is running a 454 Big Block V8 engine. As the video host points out, this particular combination is somewhat rare, with the 454 included as part of the police package. The package also included a four-barrel carb, aluminum intake manifold, and more. The 454 has a compression ratio of 8.5:1, with output rated at 235 net horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 360 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. The engine mates to a Turbo 400 three-speed automatic, which was upgraded with a performance valve body, while factory 3.42 gears and posi were out back. Heavy-duty suspension, skid plates, and larger sway bars were also part of the police package. Weight with driver isn’t exactly petite, tipping the scales at 4,490 pounds.

In the other lane, we find a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31. That means that under the hood you’ll find a 350 V8 with a specially tuned Quadrajet carb, special heads with 455 valves, a Winters aluminum intake manifold, air induction, a 308 cam, and large harmonic balancer. With a compression ratio of 10.5:1, peak output from the 350 comes to 325 gross horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 360 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A four-speed manual sends the muscle rearwards to 3.42 rear gears. Weight with driver is lighter than the Chevelle, but definitely isn’t lightweight, tipping the scales at 3,870 pounds.

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