1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda

Author Topic: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda  (Read 3421 times)

Offline daryld

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1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« on: September 23, 2018 - 04:11:31 PM »
The Cuda finally made its way back home after 1.5 year rebuild. Whoever said these Gen 3 Hemi swaps are a piece of cake must be out of their minds. No one tells you that the engine does not make enough vacuum to run a standard brake booster and that you need to go to a hydroboost in order to have good power braking. No one also told me that the Mopar PS pump puts out way too much pressure and heat for rack and pinion, so you must use a GM style pump with reduce pressure. Thankfully Magnumforce sold a bracket for this. These are all things I had to learn the hard and expensive way. But I am happy it is finally done, mostly. The end result has yielded an amazing driving machine that everybody seems to love. I had a lot of regret doing this swap because my 440/6 pack ran flawlessly, but after driving the car with the 6.4 I have no regrets. If any of you have questions about these swaps please do not hesitate to ask me anything. I made a lot of mistakes along the way that cost me a lot of unnecessary money. I hope to help everyone avoid the same mistakes I made. Hope you guys enjoy.
Daryl




Offline JpRngr

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2018 - 02:34:52 AM »
Love it!   Glad to see you got it back and running.



So, did your Magnumforce front end not come with the right P/S pump? Mine came with an aftermarket one from Jones racing. I'm also going with hydro-boost for my brakes, but didn't realize the motor wouldn't supply enough vacuum for a standard booster. I did it cause a standard booster wouldn't fit in my car with the Magnumforce forward strut bars.


My 6.1L Challenger is getting closer. Hopefully have the car wired soon, and then it'll be some small stuff and I can try starting it.


Corey

Offline daryld

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2018 - 09:05:54 AM »
Love it!   Glad to see you got it back and running.
The suspension was already on the car when I bought it amd it had a March pulley set w GM pump. I sold the motor w the front assembly. Iasked Magnumfirce several times is the  Mopar pump would work w my rack and they said yes. Then 6 months later they said no after beating my head against the wall for months. They sold me the Jones GM pump w  a bracket that fits on the Gen 3 Hemi.

As for the hydroboost, same type of situation. No one ever shared that these engines do not make enough vacumm for an 8” booster. Willwood blammed the weak braking on the booster. The booster guy blamed it on Wilwwod. Everybody on the forums had a different opinion. So I figured it out myself after many months of troble shooting and wasted money. If younwanted great brakes you have to use a hydroboost or go with a MS strait to the wall. An 11” booster might work but why chance it.

Hope this helps.


So, did your Magnumforce front end not come with the right P/S pump? Mine came with an aftermarket one from Jones racing. I'm also going with hydro-boost for my brakes, but didn't realize the motor wouldn't supply enough vacuum for a standard booster. I did it cause a standard booster wouldn't fit in my car with the Magnumforce forward strut bars.


My 6.1L Challenger is getting closer. Hopefully have the car wired soon, and then it'll be some small stuff and I can try starting it.


Corey
Daryl

Offline JpRngr

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2018 - 10:46:17 AM »
So, couple quick questions. How do you like the Magnumforce front end? Since it was in the car when you bought it, I don't suppose you have any idea how it responds compared to stock, do you? Also, what size Wilwood master cylinder did you use? I think the one I got is probably too big, but have to get it running before figuring it out.

Corey

Offline daryld

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2018 - 11:13:52 AM »

The Magnumforce is way better than the stock which I had in my last Cuda. I am not impressed with the design though. I would go with RMF if I was buying. Or a full frame if possible. My Wilwood is a 2 1/8 bore. That way the brake pressure is dialed down some. Had to put some washers between the booster and MS because the pin was making the brakes apply all the time. The oin is not adjustable. Will probably have to modify the ball so it will give me more travel and I can remove the waskers. But it works great for now.


So, couple quick questions. How do you like the Magnumforce front end? Since it was in the car when you bought it, I don't suppose you have any idea how it responds compared to stock, do you? Also, what size Wilwood master cylinder did you use? I think the one I got is probably too big, but have to get it running before figuring it out.

Corey
Daryl

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2018 - 12:47:07 PM »
For what it is worth, I assisted in installing a Magnumforce system in a Cuda a few years ago and I have to say I was not at all impressed with the design. I think there are far better systems out there like RMS. That said, I guess it depends on what you want for the car, I contend that you can get nearly the same level of response and control using upgraded stock type components (UCA, steering box, torsion bars, etc). Of course you don't get the weight savings that systems like RMS provide in addition to the clearance gained.

While all these aftermarket systems are cool, I guess it comes down to what you want/need and how much you can spend. Despite that, I personally find it difficult to get past the fact that many Mopars using stock style suspensions are and have been very competitive in a wide variety of motor sports. 
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline daryld

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2018 - 01:17:19 PM »

I had a cuda with stock, lowered suspension and a  steering box. Thing drovr like a boat. It probably would have driven better with some aftermarket performance parts but I was never happy with the play the stock sterrimg had.

My Magnumforce is way better compared to stock but younwould expect that with rack and pinion. I am not impressed with the Magnumforce. It has a few things that need to be changed but don’t want to get into a detailed dicussion but it won’t happen so who cares. I would 100% go with RMS in the front if I was looking to upgrade or build. I am not a fan of their C-bolt 4-link though. Magnumforce has a really nice one. I have Control Freak now and it is a really good system.

Everybody had opinions and choices. That is what makes this world great.


For what it is worth, I assisted in installing a Magnumforce system in a Cuda a few years ago and I have to say I was not at all impressed with the design. I think there are far better systems out there like RMS. That said, I guess it depends on what you want for the car, I contend that you can get nearly the same level of response and control using upgraded stock type components (UCA, steering box, torsion bars, etc). Of course you don't get the weight savings that systems like RMS provide in addition to the clearance gained.

While all these aftermarket systems are cool, I guess it comes down to what you want/need and how much you can spend. Despite that, I personally find it difficult to get past the fact that many Mopars using stock style suspensions are and have been very competitive in a wide variety of motor sports.
Daryl

Offline JpRngr

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Re: 1970 Pro Touring AAR Cuda
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2018 - 08:53:59 PM »
Thanks for the response. I already have the Magnumforce front end, I was just curious on how it drives cause mine's not there yet. I like the beefiness of it compared to RMS and that's why I chose it. At the time, it didn't look like XV was going to be around or I probably would have went with that. Probably going to build my own rear based off a Mustang design as I have an 8.8 ready to go for it.


Corey