This is not a restoration as such but somewhat modified Challenger project.. started already way back during winter = lazy a** work from me
I think I've been more in Topcat's backyard speculating from A-Z on world politics and such than in the garage.
Well, long story short;
Perfectly working '70 R/T, originally 383 4-sp car which was flown to Finland back in 97. since that pretty much everything done to get it up and running, engine swapped to 440, then 500 and now it's another edition time.. as I took the car with me back to Ca...in a furniture container. Enjoyed ~ 4 times around those back country roads during last 9 months, wowser!!!
So, what happens now....
- Bought all 540cid aluminum Indy/B1 engine topped with 12-71 BDS air mover and BDS injection + TF727 (got nice wine barrel on top!!!)
- Bought narrowed Dana60 with MW heady duty axles
- a set of -01 Viper seats arrived as well
- Sold my 500cid to Sweden
- Sold the rear end to Italy
... so "numbers matching parts" are in Sweden, Italy and Finland ... not that I'm too much interested on those.
What then, a complete rip-open for the engine -> changed the rod bolts to ARP2000 series. Also swapped the cam to Lunati custom roller, upstairs shimmed and new titanium retainers assembled. Cam boasts some decent figures as 265/275deg @ .050", .700 lift, LSA 114 and installed 4deg advanced (yesterday).
Today it's about assembling the heads back, valley tray and intake... working on the roller rockers to make some room between rocker and valve spring.
Downstairs enjoying the full drag race oil pan with Milodon dual system.
Tubular K-member front end should be arriving in few days, as well the 4-link rear parts. After that it's minitubing time and some welding to be done. Before that we have to pack the house and change address.. to somewhere... in 1,5weeks
As time passes these mods should be in place as with the aluminum cooler, fiberglass hood/bumpers and lots of more. Interior gets a little touch as well with new dash cover, custom center console, Viper seats and couple of other tricks. In the engine side water-methanol injection will be added, target +1000hp at around 8-10psi boost.
Some progress pics following as time passes;
baseline is da Challenger, off goes the 500 and check out the Centerforce clutch and flywheel
New steamer also in the background