1970 Cuda EK2 Build

Author Topic: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build  (Read 14122 times)

Offline Cazbah362

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1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« on: January 01, 2017 - 01:35:10 PM »
Hello all, I wanted to share my build on my 1970 Barracuda which I bought in late 2014.  I bought the car from a local Mopar guy - I wanted I was looking something non-numbers matching, but with a little spunk for a nice all around build (pro-touring, drag, daily and a little spirited if needed).  This car popped up, and fit my needs.  1970 Ek2, no frills options, with 318 and 4 speed, all non-numbers. 

To date, car is painted with a 470, TKO600 5 speed, 8 3/4 with 4:10’s.  I just finished the rear end with 489 with 410’s, EPSO springs, AR hangers, powder coating and Hotchkis sway bar.  This matches the front which has reenforced lowers, Willwoods, factory sway, and all powder coated. 

My ultimate goal is to make this all an “digital” car.  Right now I have a Dakota Digital dash, Megasquirt Pro, and a few other gadgets which are or will be installed to leverage their potential.  I have a 451 which i am building (whole separate thread) with fuel injection all the way down to the coil near plug setup.  Right now the carborated 470 will work just fine, I will just use things like TTI’s with 02’s sensors as tuning tools.

Hope this makes up for allowing me to “lurk” on the site for the last year.  Here is a short punch list - with a video below

Punch list:

Interior
1.  Install the side glass
2.  Wrap rear seat

Electrical
1.  DD Install
2.  Dome light
3.  Brake pedal/lights

Body Upgrades
1.  Install roll-bar
2.  install sub-frame connectors
3. Harness -  Belts

To Drive
1.  Front end alignment

Exterior
1.  All seals

Rear-End
1.  Shocks

Glass Install
Seals - all around




https://youtu.be/VMyoo8aposQ




Offline redo1973

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2017 - 06:39:34 PM »
Man, that sounds great.

Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2017 - 04:44:23 PM »
Thanks Redo - guessing you looked through the videos and seen it running. 

- Back to work for the week, brakes should be here by weekend and will post more later.

Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2017 - 06:45:05 PM »
 :cheers:

Looking good so far!!  Are you going to add the AAR stripes?

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2017 - 09:17:33 PM »
looks like an awesome build. Glad to have you onboard.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2017 - 11:29:06 PM »
Made a little progress over the last week.  Most of my energy has been focused on getting the rear-end pulled, rebuilt and back in.  Pretty much only thing which is original now is the banjo and axles.  The 741 was swapped for a 489 with 4:10's, spool, crush sleeve eliminator, and a 1350 yoke.  For brakes I went with Dr. Diff's smaller disc kit, awaiting the e-brake cables time of this post.  Leaf springs I purchased through ESPO, replaced all the shackles and hangers.  Front hanger supports I beefed up with AR Engineering's heavy duty with backing plates.  The axles received new green bearings and disc studs, nothing to great, just nice to have.   Everything I could have powder coated satin black was done, really turned out nice.  The nice upgrade I did was add the Hotchkis sway bar.  Since everything was out, it was much easier to weld in the required brackets and set it all up.  This weekend I ordered Calverts 9 way adjustable shocks.  These, along with the E-brake cables should be here next weekend.  This will allow me to fix novice double-flare brake lines, weld in tangs for the disc conversion and bleed the brakes. 

While I wait on parts, I installed Rob Yules head light relay kit.  Kit went in pretty easy, no issues but it make me realize my front marker light/drive light wiring is frail, broken and needing to be replaced.  This will another project, and probably after I get it road worthy before spring.  However, it did lead me into doing a partial amp meter bypass and head me into starting my Dakota Digital (DD) install.

Since I had the dash out, I started running all the sensors and related wiring for the DD install.  Right now I gave the TKO's VSS, oil, fuel, and temp sensors wires run to the general location for the control box.  Finding a nice easy access place for the box is my concern, this is a "general" location for the time being. Tomorrow brings another day.  What I need to do is pay for a Rallye Gauge bezel, which I already have with a complete Rallye Gauge system on hold from a friend.  Seems there is more money going out then coming in, nothing a brass pole won't fix for my weekend job.....

"Next up is Bambi, please tip but don't touch gentlemen and uh, ladies" - as the 38 Special song of your choice starts



   

Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2017 - 11:36:01 PM »
EB3 - Sorry, yes I was going to do custom AAR decals, just wanted to wait until most of the work was done so I could buff it out once more before it hits the road.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2017 - 02:29:08 PM »
coming along nicely. :)
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline redo1973

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2017 - 08:42:08 PM »
Nice progress.

Offline fantum

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2017 - 12:00:30 PM »
Looking good!!!!

I have a question.  I noticed the "carbon fiber" finish on your hood and fender tops - a look I am really interested in having on my car.  How did you accomplish that?  Is it carbon fiber or a decal?

Thanks


MIKE
fantum
Mike

Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2017 - 09:45:23 AM »
Hey Mike,
That is 3M vehicle graphics material.  I wanted to follow the AAR type of vehicle, but in my own personal way, so I made a deal with a buddy of mine who does wrapping and graphics for a profession.  One thing he really expressed was the type of "carbon fiber" material to purchase.  The older 3M and the off brands blemish when touched, lightly damaged or have difficult areas to wrap into/out of.  Based on this, he recommended the type we ended up using.  It went on really nice, no issues or weird stretch areas.  It was about $300 for the bolt, seamless cutting tape, and glue. 

Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2017 - 01:08:18 PM »
Nice build!  I have the same rear sway bar....do you have any pics where you attatched it to the frame....or measurements how far down you mounted it?  thanks in advance.....

Offline Topcat

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2017 - 10:52:51 PM »
One thing I learned about the rear sway bar is that you have to go the Hotcthkiss rear sway bar set up if you go over sized dual exhaust over pipes.

The factory system has interference challenges if the over axle pipe is a 2.5"
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #13 on: January 21, 2017 - 09:38:38 AM »
Mpd - I will get you photos and measurements this weekend when I install the shocks and button everything up. At this time, only ones I have are what is posted.  Thanks TC, happy I went with Hotchiss, my 3" would have issues.

Charles

Offline Cazbah362

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Re: 1970 Cuda EK2 Build
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2017 - 06:31:19 PM »
MPL I have failed you, sorry just got focused on other things and spaced the photos. 

So got going on things today and have the installed the e-brakes, bled the brakes and worked on the dash install - oh and shoveled a lot of snow.  I have finished wiring in all the senders for the DD dash and bolted it in.  Did a quick test fire with it and got all the gauges excluding the speedometer working, speedo needs to be out driving to configure.  Here is a quick photo, very impressed with the DD, easy setup. 

Also, yesterday installed the Calverts shocks and set them in 5.  Now we need the snow to go away so we can drive, check and finish things.  And I need to stop procrastinating on seals and the door glass (no fun).