How do you guys feel about clones?

[dfrazz]

I have no doubt the FF box is a big improvement.
But the price for that is +$600
You can do this mod for $6
Is the FF box 100 times better, maybe.

This was a quick, simple, inexpensive change for me.

The FF box is $379 by the time you turn in your core.  http://firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_power_steering_box_rebuild.html

[Katfish]

I bet the shipping for the new box and your core return will change that just a little.

[dodj]

I would recommend you look at going stage 3, everyone I have talked to that had a stage 2 has said they wish they had gone stage 3. It isn't twitchy or crazy sharp.

I have a stage two. Should have gone with a three. Nothing wrong with the stage two, it is much better than stock, but I think a three would be better. Never hear anybody that bought a three that wish they had bought a two.

[soundcontrol]

I bought a stage 2, we'll see if I regret it later. What is the actual difference in engineering, can a stage 2 be converted to a stage 3?

[73440]

Old info about the power steering pump and gears.

talks about the shims ,in their words do NOT change the shims, reaction springs etc.
Don't tell me what to do , even I don't tell myself what to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj6xtiEMLuE

[1 Wild R/T]

Different reaction springs deep inside the box... Forget about it, stage two is fine.... In the future if your looking at changing another box get a stage three...

[IMADreamer]

I hear you but I wish the guys building & selling these kits felt as much responsibility for the safety of their customers as the customers buying the stuff initially believe they do....   

My suggestion, look at Hotchkis, It's based on the original Chrysler design but with improved geometry... Get a Firm Feel stage 3 box, again based on Chryslers orginal steering box design but greatly improved feel & feed back... No not 100% equal to rack & pinion but allot closer than many give credit for.... Hell Mercedes & BMW used steering gears into the early 2000 time frame... Done properly it can't be that bad... & contact Dr Diff for your brakes...  He offers kits based on OE components so...

A) they are factory engineered components
B) parts are available locally...

If your car has a stock power booster keep it, the aftermarket CP unit everyone sells is a piece of crap..

While we are discussing this, ok I'm a week late, but still.  I'm curious to what this forums opinion on Hotchkis is?  As I said in my intro post I come from the Vette world and I've got a set of Pfadt coil overs on my car.  It handles like it's on rails and I like that.  Now I'm not expecting a 40 year old E body to do that that would be unreasonable of me.  However I'm curious as to how systems like the Hotchkis TVS perform.  Sure their videos youtube, and the journalist they've provided the  car to say it's great, but those are journalist.  The car still uses a lot of "old" tech and maybe that's fine, I truly don't know, but I do know handling and stance is one thing I want to address right off the bat.  If Hotchkis isn't the way to do that what is?  If it is the way to do that then great.  I do like how it's pretty much bolt in with some minor welding. 

BTW, to answer the original question.  I really like clones and resto mods.  I hope to not be as "cookie cutter" and I've got some ideas, but I have to hunt down the right car first.

[1 Wild R/T]

I've never had a Hotchkiss equipped vehicle on an alignment rack to see what they do but I read their ads, ridden in an recently had the opportunity to drive a vehicle with their parts on it.... I have nothing bad to say about them....

The ever popular Alterkation stuff I have plenty of bad to point at...

[340challconvert]

Speaking on Clones, build your car the way you want to. BUT;
I can't believe the money that "clones" are going for.  Way too much money for what used to be known as a hot rod or built street car.
In the long run, when this resto fad passes, the original/restored and or close to stock cars will always worth the money spent.
Please don't butcher up an original performance car, including the 340 and 383 models.
Build your dream on a less rare model since you are likely to replace everything anyway!
Just my thoughts.

[70chall440]

I respectively disagree; the low number rare special cars will retain value because they will be traded around like art; however over time all the rest will begin to depreciate as the potential buyer pool changes generations; the well done restomods will increase to a point because they can be used, don't need a mechanic on speed dial and will use relatively common parts. As I noted earlier, it will not be very long when the majority of "car guys" will not understand how to work on a carb, will not have the patience for the temperament of an older engine, nor the acceptance for mediocre handling and braking.

I love these cars as much as anyone, but the future is in EFI, good brakes and trouble free electrical systems.

[HP_Cuda]

 

I think the younger crowd still thinks the muscle cars are cool but want the amenities they are used to in their previous cars: disc brakes, custom seats, A/C, you get the idea.

[chargerdon]

If the younger crowd wants all the amenities plus rock solid reliability, great handling etc...   Then go buy a new Challenger !!!   Still a market out there for originals, without doing resto-mods on them !!

[70chall440]

Well that is why America is great, everyone can have and express an opinion. I will say up front that the next one I do will be full restomods; new gen hemi, etc.

[340challconvert]

I'm just glad that some of the younger crowd has any interest in our "old" muscle cars.

The clones and resto-mod cars are selling at the auctions and at good prices.
Creation of these cars is fun, innovative, and very expensive.

Another thought to add to this conversation:
Many serious collectors are currently selling off their car collections on the auction sites.
Additionally, many of cars that were part of the "restore it someday" group are coming to the market as the old timers age out, get too old to work on the cars, or just pass on.

Is it a prelude to demand for our cars slowly declining as the younger generation moves on to the more modern muscle?
The next decade will be interesting; time will tell.

[70chall440]

I'm just glad that some of the younger crowd has any interest in our "old" muscle cars.

The clones and resto-mod cars are selling at the auctions and at good prices.
Creation of these cars is fun, innovative, and very expensive.

Another thought to add to this conversation:
Many serious collectors are currently selling off their car collections on the auction sites.
Additionally, many of cars that were part of the "restore it someday" group are coming to the market as the old timers age out, get too old to work on the cars, or just pass on.

Is it a prelude to demand for our cars slowly declining as the younger generation moves on to the more modern muscle?
The next decade will be interesting; time will tell.

You are absolutely correct; there will always be someone who likes the old cars as they were back in the day (kind of like vinyl records), however as the generations change out ownership, it is going to come down to the ability to enjoy the cars and less and less young people are or have learned how to work on the older stuff, not to mention how much better modern cars are in terms of reliability, turning, braking, etc.