Need your opinion on which way I should go with my 71 Cuda

[Street_Challenged73]

I'd have to say I would probably approach it with the same intentions most others have already stated; keep it stock-appearing, yet do some bolt-on upgrades here & there to make it more to your likings.

On a side note, that's pretty cool that Choppintime used to own this car.

[Road_Runner]

I think the only real cutting I'll be doing is all the rust removal!  Most of the stuff I'll be doing is bolt on and some welding but nothing that couldn't be put back to original.

I like the idea of making the 383 a 438 stroker.....I'll have to start reading up on that.

Anyone use parts from XV motorsports?

A couple of links to get your reading started:

http://www.440source.com/strokerkits.htm

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0605_mopar_performance_383_stroker_engine/index.html

http://www.texas-jacksons.com/garage/info_431_stroker.html

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=31681.0

Not a stroker but a great 383 article & be sure to read the follow-on Intake comparisons:

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_0711_mopar_383/index.html

I'm going for a 70's 'period correct' look on my Roadrunner so mods from that period are fair game included a six pack intake which I actually ran on the car back then.

Later, Jim

[ragtopdodge]

I would make under the hood very stock looking.  I.e. use a b-block, like a 383 or 400.

Stroke it, put in some 440source heads, MP dual-plane intake (looks like a stock iron one), and roller-cam it.

What's the original color again?  I would paint it the original color, but add things like billboards and a wing.

Wheels are easy to change, so whatever you want to go with there.  Keep interior stock looking (I'd add a Rallye dash myself if it didn't already have one).

Good luck!

[n9671x2]

I would make under the hood very stock looking.  I.e. use a b-block, like a 383 or 400.

Stroke it, put in some 440source heads, MP dual-plane intake (looks like a stock iron one), and roller-cam it.

What's the original color again?  I would paint it the original color, but add things like billboards and a wing.

Wheels are easy to change, so whatever you want to go with there.  Keep interior stock looking (I'd add a Rallye dash myself if it didn't already have one).

Car is actually coded for a billboard!!  E mailed with the current owner, Choppintime bought it from me years ago.  We have stayed in touch over the years and actually hook up at Carlisle most every year.

Good luck!

[EB3-GranCoupe]

I opted for the stock appearance for now, for my humble little Gran Coupe, with the factory EB3 paint, blue interior, and the much despised black vinyl top.  But, as it already had a 440 in it when i got it, i decided to keep that.    I did a few upgrades, like adding sub-frame connectors, and a Sanden compressor, which i don't think will cause too much of a stir.  Eventually i will put on the Minilites, and maybe do a few other bolt-on's, but i am happy that i went the stock look route.   

[Fish Tale]

Road_Runner - thanks very much for the links. I will definitely read through them.

ragtopchally - The original color is Rally Red with billboards (like n9671x2 mentioned).  I've gone back and forth about what color to paint it.  When I was a kid I remember seeing a yellow cuda down in southern California and I thought that was the coolest car.  I've also thought about Tor-Red and even going all out and doing a two tone.  Luckily is has a black interior so it opens up a lot of options.

[Choppintime]

If your going to do little modifications I'd paint it the correct red. Only other thing I may stray from is putting rally gauges in it. I was going to put the car back correctly (and I'm not a huge fan of red). Since it isn't a numbers car putting a 440 in it isn't a huge deal to me.

The red with the billboard will look pretty damn good. Only reason my car is so crazily customized is that I bought the body that way. Interior is stock looking and even the engine bay, other than chrome, is pretty much stock.

[AARCUDADEN]

Lots of good advice here from everyone  I'll put in my  worth. I myself would keep the car original appearing but i think i would go more pro street looking like maybe cutting the original wheel wells in the rear and widein them out for a much wider tire and skinys up front with a nice looking aftermarket wheels. I would also tie the subframe together for the extra support. Like someone stated before a nice big block stroker that has a stock look would fit the package together nicely with the color of your choise with some kind of factory stripe. Im thinking the billboard stripe. If anything ever happened to my engine and tranny in my AAR you can better believe i'm gettin the torches out  I have a 73 Dart Sport i'm really considering of doing up this way but its a #'s matching 340 four speed car  with moonroof and a/c car this is very solid and rust free so i don't know if i should do it or not. I think i need to look for a rust bucket non matching anything         

[Fish Tale]

How about XV Motorsports, anyone have any experience with their products?

[dodj]

Should I restore it to original/stock form being as rare as it is or should I not care since it's missing the original engine and tranny and make a restomod out of it?

Thank you for your time.

You could just sell it to me and save yourself the difficult decision. 

But if you really want to keep it, keep your exterior mods to the 'reversable' kind. Suspension and engine?- whatever you want/can afford. IMO

[aris_unlimited]

How about XV Motorsports, anyone have any experience with their products?

From what I've read they make a really good product, but their customer service is crap. Good luck trying to get ahold of anyone there. I personally have their sub-frame connectors, under radiator brace, and inner fender braces. They look like good stuff and I am in the process of having those installed at the moment. I am sure they will no doubt do what they are intended to do. But I had a heck of a time getting ahold of xv to order them, and you really do need to get ahold of xv on the phone because 1/2 the time their stuff isn't in stock.

I didn't mind dealing with them for something minor such as those braces, but I won't be dealing with them for suspension components. Mostly because if I'm spending $2k+ on something I want someone to answer the phone everytime I call during business hours if I have a problem with it.

[torredcuda]

Read this on XV
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=70240.0

[Fish Tale]

Wow, never knew this about XV.  Good that I asked.  Does anyone else make similar sub-frame connectors, under radiator brace, inner fender braces, and also the engine compartment brace?