Author Topic: 73 Challenger restomod  (Read 78434 times)

Offline dave73chally

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73 Challenger restomod
« on: February 09, 2015 - 06:33:25 PM »
Been on here for awhile, so figured I'd start a build thread. Have a 73 challenger that I am building into a restomod style build. Its a base 318, 3 speed manual, power steering, manual brakes. Previous owner painted it sublime and put on a set of glasspacks, other than that it's bone stock. I bought it about a year ago now, here's what I started with:





It's currently in the body shop getting all the rust cutout and new panels welded in. The typical lower quarters on both sides, around the rear window and se surface rust on the rockers, other than that it's solid. Also shaving the sidemarkers, fender mounted turn signals, antenna. Recessed fiberglass bumpers, smooth and painted body color, smooth rear valance, body color mirrors. Adding a ta style ducktail spoiler, rear window louvers and ta stripe without the text.

Suspension is stock for now with the exception of espos 1.5 over stock springs. Within the next few winters I will be going with the Hotchkis TVS kit, 17" or 18" wheels, rear spring relocation to fit 315 tires, possibly 335s, hydroboost and wilwood disc brakes all around.

I have a 440 at the machine shop now being built into a 512 stroker motor. Will have aluminum heads, water pump, intake, etc. to get the weight close to the same as the small block. Also to help save some weight, going with an aluminum radiator, relocating the battery to the trunk and fiberglass bumpers with aluminum brackets. Have 4 speed with a pistol grip that will be rebuilt and installed with the big block.

Interior will be replacing the seats with either Corbeau CR1 or Recaro Toplines in black leather/suede. Will have the rear seat re-foamed and upholstered to match the fronts. New grant steering wheel, new gauges, replacing carpet and headliner.

I'm sure I'm missing a bunch, but that's my plan so far. It's not a rare car so don't shoot me for not staying purist, the plan is to drive the wheels off this thing.
« Last Edit: January 02, 2016 - 05:51:58 PM by dave73chally »
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension




Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2015 - 11:10:57 PM »
I like where your going with it   :2thumbs:

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2015 - 06:44:47 AM »
Sounds like a nice functional road machine...  :thumbsup:
  Given any thought to chassis stiffening? Now's the time to do it.
I'm considering these  http://store.uscartool.com/dodge-challenger-E-Body-chassis-stiffening-pack.html
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2015 - 08:44:07 AM »
Sounds like a nice functional road machine...  :thumbsup:
  Given any thought to chassis stiffening? Now's the time to do it.
I'm considering these  http://store.uscartool.com/dodge-challenger-E-Body-chassis-stiffening-pack.html


Yea I plan on buying that stiffening kit from US Cartool but not sure if I want their weld-on frame connectors or to run the hotchkis bolt on that would come with the TVS kit. Anyone know of a significant difference in performance?


Also planning on 1.12-1.22 torsion bars and extra welds on the k frame, engine mounts, and steering box mount.
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline daaboots

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2015 - 11:45:04 AM »
Looks nice. Do you have any pictures of the engine being built?

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2015 - 04:48:54 PM »
Looks nice. Do you have any pictures of the engine being built?


This is all I have right now, haven't seen it since it's been a bare block.









« Last Edit: February 12, 2015 - 10:23:28 PM by dave73chally »
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline jimynick

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2015 - 09:45:25 PM »
I've got a 74 and enjoy your plans for this car. I put the US Cartool conformal SFC's in mine and while I have no direct knowledge comparison-wise, I have to think that welding them in the complete length of the floor has to make them more efficient at stiffening the car, than bolting them in at the ends. I also installed the upper apron reinforcements as well and they're light years ahead of the puny oem brace. Hope to see more of your build as it progresses. Good luck with it!  :cheers:

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2015 - 10:08:59 PM »
Here's some bodywork before pics:









« Last Edit: February 12, 2015 - 10:18:36 PM by dave73chally »
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2015 - 10:17:56 PM »
And some bodywork progress:





 









All of the bubbling wasn't as bad as I thought. Apparently to previous owner thought it'd be a good idea to fiberglass over the rust, then bondo and paint....brilliant!
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline daaboots

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2015 - 08:31:02 AM »
Good job on the body work. Did you get your engine parts from 440Source.com? I've been looking at the stroker kits that they have as well as their aluminum heads.

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2015 - 08:47:18 AM »
Good job on the body work. Did you get your engine parts from 440Source.com? I've been looking at the stroker kits that they have as well as their aluminum heads.

I pieced together my own kit based the preference of my engine builder. From what I've read the pistons are the same that 440 source includes in their kits, they are built by Keith Black. I will be buying the 440 source stealth heads and some misc. parts from them, will report back when I do. I've talked to them on the phone, they seem like honest good people.
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2015 - 01:36:39 PM »
While the car is in the body shop updates will be slow. So I figured I'd throw in some pictures of what I've already done to the car:

There was a birdnest of wires hooked up to an old alarm system. There was a keyhole mounted on the lower front valance that was not functional anymore and a killswitch under the dash. The wiring was faulty and was periodically cause the car not to start so it had to go.

« Last Edit: March 04, 2015 - 01:56:32 PM by dave73chally »
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2015 - 01:43:06 PM »
Black steelies installed:
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2015 - 01:55:06 PM »
Rear tail panel was discolored so I decided to black it out:

73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline dave73chally

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Re: Just another 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2015 - 01:57:58 PM »
The stance was was horrible so I ordered some ESPO's 1.5" over stock. The car had the standard leafs with some real long extended shackles that hit into the valance. The exhaust tips also ran into the valance. Instead of installing the correct shackles and exhaust turn downs, the previous owner cut the valance in 3 pieces and hacked this up:
 :pullinghair: :banghead:



New AMD valance was temporarily installed before going in for paint and body work.

ESPO's 1.5" over stock installed, front torsion cranked down 1 full turn:
« Last Edit: March 04, 2015 - 10:19:51 PM by dave73chally »
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension