At least it didn't have the 2.0L as the 79s did! A couple drove a 2.0L four speed Spirit from Oregon to Florida a few years ago. It had been upgraded with a Pertronix ignition. They said it made a noticeable power increase. When you have barely adequate power a 3-5 hp increase is very noticeable! But they did say it was adequate with a four speed. The Iron Duke would probably be much better with a five speed (as would the 2.0L) and a low rear axle. But an EFI Duke should be very nice indeed! About the same hp as a 232, though a bit less torque. Five speed and geared right it would be good. A 2.5L AMC/Jeep four would be even better -- a little more torque than the Poncho, and in the family. -- Frank Swygert Publisher, "American Motors Cars" Magazine (AMC) For all AMC enthusiasts http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html (free download available!) -------------------original message----------------------- Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 10:16:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Play on Words On Sun, 24 Sep 2006, Russell Neyhart wrote: > ...not to keep you talking about this long enough to go out and get > another Spirit, but... maybe a four worked a bit with a manual would > have given you a better front/rear weight bias and made for better auto-x? As Joe points out -- power. But a modern 2.5 would probably kick butt -- the V8 was a tight fit in that little car. It was clearly meant for the big six. _______________________________________________ AMC-List mailing list AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or go to http://www.amc-list.com