Author Topic: New member with old Challenger under construction  (Read 2159 times)

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
New member with old Challenger under construction
« on: October 14, 2010 - 11:31:28 PM »
I can already see this forum is an excellent source of information and interesting discussions, so excited about finding it.

A brief background, my first car was a used 1970 Charger SE (in 1972) with a 383 Magnum and 727.  Eventually it got headers, intake, & 780 Holley before the 383 was swapped out for a 440 with the street hemi cam and a B&M torque converter.  My fastest car was a 70 V-code Cuda.  It got upgraded bottom end, valve train and aggressive cam, B&M converter & 4.56 gears.  Both of those cars were sold years ago.

I bought a 2009 Challenger R/T with the 6 speed, and have enjoyed it so much as a daily driver that I've finally taken the plunge and have a 1970 Challenger currently under construction (of course it is WAY over budget).  My goal is a fun, reliable car that can and will be driven.  Exterior will be stock appearing R/T with the rallye wheels. 

Under the hood, upgrading the 440 with 750 Edeblrock, Torker II, modern version of street hemi cam, Edelbrock RPM heads, 10.2 CR with Keith Black pistions and TTI headers and 2.5" exhaust backed by Tremec 5 speed and 3.55 8 3/4 rear end.  It is designed to run on 91 octane pump gas, since that is the best available in some areas.  I am hoping it can get 18 mpg on the highway with the overdrive Tremec.

The car already has front disc brakes so adding disc brakes on the rear axle rather than refurbishing the drums.  Likewise, rather than refurbishing the stock suspension, upgrading to the Hotchkis TVS with Bilstein shocks.  Power steering box upgraded by Firm Feel. 

Inside, stock appearing rallye cluster with tach electronics upgraded to work with MSD ignition.  Otherwise, stock look inside except for aftermarket stereo and Procar leather buckets.  Factory AC dash from Year One with Vintage air to keep things cool while looking like the original.  Finally, 4 window power kit from XV Motorsports.

« Last Edit: October 15, 2010 - 09:50:35 AM by MizzouRT »
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger




Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2010 - 12:02:14 PM »
Welcome  :cheers:
using Alum heads & only 10.2 compression I bet it would run on 89 pump gas , you will lose more heat to the alum so it will act more like it has 9,2 compression
I woudl also seriously look at using a Proform 850 carb over the too small Edelblock

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2010 - 04:20:43 PM »
Welcome! Post some pictures when you can! :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

sleepychallenger

  • Guest
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2010 - 04:24:42 PM »
welcome...

I get to do it! i get to do it !   :useless: :useless:

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2010 - 10:39:16 PM »
Hmmm, a little trial and error on resizing pix so they will upload.  Still clipping back of 2009 R/T but close enough to give the general idea.  Only exterior mods are replacing the factory HEMI hood badges with old school style 345 Hemi badges, adding the 70 R/T fender badges, 70 window bees, and replacing the front Ram's head with a Pentastar logo from BT.

Tried a MBRP catback but too much resonance between 1500-2000 rpm and not that much improvement in performance, so pulled it back off.  So only mods are drop-in K&N filter and Mobil1, which gave me about the same improvment as the catback.


« Last Edit: October 15, 2010 - 10:43:54 PM by MizzouRT »
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2010 - 10:57:56 PM »
Here is "before" on 70 Challenger.  It is older restoration with a stock 440 Magnum and 4 speed.  Everything that could leak did leak and the 4 speed was the sloppiest thing I've ever come across and needed to be totally rebuilt or replaced.  Rather than just fix the leaks, this is opportunity while everything is apart to make mods, since I wanted a mild street machine not a pure stock engine.  Media blasting revealed almost no rust but plenty of sheet metal issues to be addressed...
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2010 - 11:13:37 PM »
The 70 looked pretty good before you started! :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2010 - 11:35:22 PM »
Welcome  :cheers:
using Alum heads & only 10.2 compression I bet it would run on 89 pump gas , you will lose more heat to the alum so it will act more like it has 9,2 compression
I woudl also seriously look at using a Proform 850 carb over the too small Edelblock

Yes, you are right that I am leaving a lot of inexpensive horsepower on the table.  When I did engine specs with Diamondback, they came back with a 550+ hp engine that would not cost that much more $ (850 carb, stroker kit, more compression, different intake, and a custom cam).  However, I am aiming for something closer to my old 383/440 Charger that was a daily driver for 10 years rather than the 440+6 Cuda.  The Cuda was a blast, but it only got about 6 mpg and a lot less with the inevitable spirited driving.  With a 18 gal tank, after about 40 minutes you need to stop and fill up again.  I am not worried about the $ to fill the tank, but want something with enough range that it can be taken on road trips where you don't know where the next gas station is or what octane gas they sell.

Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2010 - 11:50:45 PM »
Made pix smaller again so hoping they will fit the screen this time.

Here is what was found after media blasting.  New the passenger fender needed to be replaced, but also found tons of bondo in the passenger door.  Even worse, the previous restorer had been too aggressive with their sand blasting, and put waves in the roof, hood, & trunk.  That explained why the paint was so thick.  Question then was to smooth it over or replace the sheet metal...
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline MizzouRT

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2010 - 11:54:50 PM »
Didn't want the same problems to come back, so went with new roof, hood, trunk, fenders & door skins.  Major pain for the budget!  Here are a few pix after sheet metal has been replaced...
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline AARCUDADEN

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2010 - 12:24:28 AM »
Wow! i would have been very happy with what you started with. Welcome  :wave:
Dennis,Ohio

Offline hezzel

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1105
  • Matching numbers 383 Magnum ,727 at and 3:23 rear
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2010 - 12:10:37 PM »
Welcome :wave: Nice Cars  and good luck with your 70..... :2thumbs:
1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid

Offline GranCuda1970

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5515
  • Rev 20:4. Mat 6:33 John 1:3 Mat 26:41
Re: New member with old Challenger under construction
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2010 - 12:46:49 PM »
That's nice 70 and she is pretty darn staright, perfect canvas to start with.