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Blaine Johnson and his Dodge Dart
Welcome to Haltech Heroes, where we celebrate masterminds of mechanical marvels and wizards behind the wheel.
These are the drivers, builders, and enthusiasts whose blood bleeds Haltech yellow instead of red. From record-breaking rides to show-stopping creations, we’ll showcase these incredible Haltech-equipped machines and the innovative minds that bring them to life.
But the story doesn’t end there. YOU get to crown the ultimate Haltech Hero, and in doing so, you could win an iC-7 dash! – Voting is now open. VOTE FOR BLAINE’S DODGE DART HERE
Meet Blaine Johnson, and his impressive 1968 Hemi Dart. As today’s Haltech hero, he shares the journey of transforming this classic car into a high-performance machine.
In 2015, Blaine purchased the Dart from a seller in Texas. Initially a small bracket car from the ’60s, he brought it home with a vision. Along with his father’s help and five years of hard work saving funds, they finally completed the project.
They removed the original wedge motor and replaced it with a Hemi and a Turbo 400 transmission. The Dart is loaded with a Mark Benston Racing Engines fettled 540ci Noonan Hemi tuned by Blaine’s brother-in-law Mark Benson JR. The whole setup produces over 4,000 horsepower!
Racing runs in Blaine’s blood. His grandfather is a member of the NHRA Hall of Fame. The family raced junior dragsters until they were about 17.
When Blaine’s grandfather passed, he left him with a ‘35 Plymouth coupe with a 528 Hemi, though he wasn’t using it. His love for the Dart’s body style led him to search for one to restore.
After months of searching, he finally struck a deal on his birthday in May 2015. “I loaded it up in a U-Haul and drove it back home.”
Blaine’s father, experienced in mechanical tuning from his days with Top Alcohol Dragster, adapted to the new EFI technology. They aimed to maintain tunability for individual cylinders while ensuring the blower operated optimally along with plans to incorporate EFI at the top using the Nexus R5 VCU.
One of Blaine’s favorite aspects of the Haltech system is the Nexus R5, which massively simplified wiring up the car.
“It was so easy to wire; I did it all myself and it all works flawlessly” he says proudly.
Recently, Blaine recorded a PB of 3.69. He has plans to continue refining the Dart, aiming to break records next season.
This Hemi Dodge Dart is more than just a car; it’s a testament to a family’s racing legacy and a passion for performance. With ongoing upgrades and aspirations for speed, fans can expect to see more from this impressive machine in the future.
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