71' Challenger Restomod

[MoparJunkie]

I bought this in the spring of 2013. It was originally a GY9 71' Challenger 383 2bl, but I bought it as a shell only.

The plan is for this car to be a restomod, with the goal of 550-600hp N/A and making it a street (Occasional track) car. So far it has been stripped down, sand blasted and sealed. Next spring/summer it will have body work done and then paint shortly after. My buddy is helping me a lot with this project, this will be a learning experience for me that I plan on being hands on with as much as possible. Engine plans are 440, (Possible 512 stroker) attached to an auto with a shift kit and possible stall. I also have a 69 4.10 superbee a12 dana rear end for it, as well as a US car tools stiffening kit. Willwood brakes, aftermarket heads, headers, cam, intake, etc are a few of ideas I will do to the engine once I get to that point. Comments and suggestions are welcome

When I first bought the car in the spring of 2013







After sandblasting, it has since been further sanded, and sealed (Just don't have pics yet).

[dfrazz]

Looks like a great project!  '71 Challenger is my favorite year, I had a black one that I put a stroker 408 in and it was fast.  I can't imagine how fast yours will be!   

[MoparJunkie]

Looks like a great project!  '71 Challenger is my favorite year, I had a black one that I put a stroker 408 in and it was fast.  I can't imagine how fast yours will be!   

Well I took a break from cars in 2010 when I sold my 05 Neon SRT4. I put a good deal of time and money into that car, and it made ~400whp/350whp and had plenty more room for more horse power. That car was pretty damn fast and surprised quite a few people. So my challenger needs to be just as fast, although my srt had a crate bottom end good for 1000hp, and it was turbo'd, I want my challenger to be close to that as I can or faster N/A if I can help it. I don't know what a challenger weighs, but I think my srt4 weighed 3000lbs w/o me in it. At least at the track I will have a better advantage with rwd vs fwd, not to mention bigger tires and the oh so great V8 rumble

[MoparJunkie]

It's been quite awhile so I figure its time for an update of the progress that's been made. The shell has had some body work done to fix imperfections so it's a good deal further on. I'm hoping the body work will be all done next year and it sitting in primer waiting for paint. I told my buddy doing the body work I'm not in a real big hurry since I need to save up for it anyway (And he has other projects as well).

More major stuff that's done includes, the engine which is a 440 source 440>500 stroker (40 over), Edelbrock RPM Performer heads, Comp Cam Xtreme Energy Hi-Lift .564, etc. I was told compression to should be right around 10.7 to 1. I've recently bought a rebuilt 727 trans with a transgo stage 2 shift kit, etc, a hughes 3500 stall converter, AMD deck lid, and Dr Diff 1" offset shackle kit that will get my B-body rearend dana to work with my Challenger. After talking to Dr Diff (forgot his name, lol) he recommended his rear disc brake setup that will allow a 28x12x15 MT Sportsman SR for street use. So I'll most likely go with that. I'm also considering exhaust and suspension as well while I am waiting for the body to be finished. So far I'm thinking TTI from headers back. Not sure if I will need the 1 7/8" w 3" collectors or the bigger 2" w/ 3 1/2" collectors, but I did notice that their exhaust system seems to fit to their 3" setup, so I will need to research that more. I am thinking a Caltracs setup for supension as well. I know I've bought more stuff for this car, but that's what I can remember off the top of my head, lol.

Overall just buying major components while the body is being worked on. My buddy is finishing the finishing touches on my uncles 68 Charger, and he will also be helping my step dad with his 69 Coronet, besides my car. I will update this with more pics when more major stuff is done. As usual comments and suggestions are more than welcome!

[70chall440]

Nice engine. going carb or EFI?

[MoparJunkie]

Thanks, going carb at least for now (950ish range). EFI might be a future option though. I have so many plans for it, its hard to do them all after awhile I just want to drive it, lol. I most likely won't be buying a carb until I'm ready to start the engine. Hopefully next summer if time and money allows.

[70chall440]

Very cool.

[YellowThumper]

Cool project.
With your stated hp goals the 3" will be more than sufficient.
Same end goals for my turbo setup

Mike

[MoparJunkie]

Thanks guys.

TTI states the headers (1 7/8" w/3" collectors) is good for 400-600hp. I just like how it seems to match up with the rest of their exhaust w/o using a reducer or going 3.5" back if I got the bigger 2" headers w/ 3.5" collectors. Hopefully it fits, not sure if the b body dana rear end I have will interfere or not. I'll have to research more. Wanting to make closer to 600hp or over 400rwhp and nail mid 11s at the track. No cage for this car.

A turbo setup sounds fun. I thought about that or a procharger but decided on keeping things more simple first time around.

Is it a small block turbo combo?

[YellowThumper]

"Is it a small block turbo combo?"
Yes. Currently the la 360. When it blows (lol) will go to forged Magnum 5.9 w/Eddy heads.

Definitely not simple. Little did I know when I started transition 3 years ago. I posted a build in restored section.

Mike

[brads70]

Looking good!   What hood are you planning? The R/T style it came with I assume?

[MoparJunkie]

Mike,

I'll have to check out your build thread, sounds fun! I miss having a car with a turbo, feels good when the turbo comes on and pushes you back in your seat! Even crazier when I had a nitrous system as well, lol. So at the very least I figured I better get a stroker and have fun with torque, so here I am I also thought about a newer hemi as well, sounds fun just don't want to cut up the transmission tunnel to get the tranny to fit. Trying to keep the car itself in great shape and not cut it up or change major stuff that isn't easy to change back to original.

Brad,

Thanks! Yup I plan on running the R/T hood, plus like you said it came with it. Honestly lately the hardest question I have is what color I want the car to be. Sorry to the purists out there, but I don't care for the original GY9 (Dark Gold). It's a classic look but not what I want. I've been debating two newer dodge colors, High Octane Red and Granite Crystal Metallic.

[dfrazz]

Honestly lately the hardest question I have is what color I want the car to be. Sorry to the purists out there, but I don't care for the original GY9 (Dark Gold). It's a classic look but not what I want. I've been debating two newer dodge colors, High Octane Red and Granite Crystal Metallic.

I like the High Octane Red!  It would look sweet on your resto-mod.   

[MoparJunkie]

High Octane Red is very nice and so far is my leading choice and most likely what I will be painting the car. I'll just have to start another build after this one so I can paint more colors I like lol.

[usraptr]

. I'm hoping the body work will be all done next year and it sitting in primer waiting for paint. I told my buddy doing the body work I'm not in a real big hurry since I need to save up for it anyway (And he has other projects as well).

Told my buddy the same thing 3 years ago and I'm still waiting for my doors, fenders, hood and deck lid to be painted.     Fortunately, he did get the shell, quarters done so I'm in the process of putting the interior in although I had to take a two year break for back to back back surgeries.  Anyway, looking forward to seeing your progress on the motor as I'm also going to be building my 440, hopefully this spring/summer.