The 1971 Challenger AutoX / Track Day car

[cudazappa]

Well, for the benefit of all, here's the start of turning a 71 Challenger into a Street Mod / C Prep car.

I spent today cleaning OUT the car.  and putting it all up in the garage attic.  oh fun fun...



oh and I thought it'd be fun to see how the conquest wheels fit



not bad, not bad at all...

[MEK-Dangerfield]

It looks like you definitely have something solid to start with.    Good luck with it.


  Mike

[go-fish]

Details my man. What are the plans for engine, suspension, cage, seats???

[Super Blue 72]

Vwery cool project!

Do the Conquest wheels work ok?  What are the specs on the wheels?  Diameter, width, backspace?  They look nice!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

The Conquest wheels look nice, but a little small, wouldn't you say?   



    Mike

[cudazappa]

ok, the specs on the Conquest wheels:
16x8, 4.125" backspace (-10 offset), tires are 245/50s (fronts will be 245/45s, you see the only two tires I have mounted LOL)  These will most likely be just street or SM tires.  For CP I'll probably hunt down a set of 16x10s and run 275 wide tires on all fours.  Why not larger?  well, if I go over 10" wide, 50# weight penalty.  Go to 17" tall?  200# weight penalty.  Ain't rules a pain?  a lot of the late model CP guys complain because their cars came with 17" wheels stock (mustang/camaro)...

They might look small because there's no engine in the car...  That pic was taken before everything was put away...

Engine will be a stroked magnum 360.  I've made money on the engine, and have the most important parts still, so I'll make use of it instead one of the other LA 360s sitting in the garage.  Trans will be a four speed.  I'm not going to AutoX an auto again, too many hassles IMNSHO (I did a Diplomat for 4 races this season  tee hee)  Going to get a Comp Eng 8 point bar as a starting point.  Probably won't do an entire cage (although national level CP cars are turning into trans am level chassis) but will add subframe connectors, torque boxes, and probably the XV front bracing.

Haven't decided on seats yet.  I keep looking in the local trader rag and craigslist (where they pop up more often now).  I'll probably have to spring for them soon so when I'm ready to do the roll bar...

The Challenger will be a 3 season car that I'll have to DRIVE to each event.  So a heater and most of a full interior will be wanted.

Going to place an order at Autobody Specialties (down the street) for a 4 speed hump so I can start on the floor pan next weekend.

[cudazappa]

thought I'd share with y'all some progress I did.

Started out by test fitting some big meats in the back of the car.



285/40ZR18s on 18x10 wheels with 5" backspace.  Stock suspension.





as you can see its a tight fit.  The SCCA lowered the weight penalty for larger than 16" diameter wheels so until I can afford slicks...

so next up was actually getting off my butt and and try to accomplish something.  I managed to put the last patch on the driver's side of the firewall and fit the floor.





I managed to drill ALL the holes in the floor pan.  I'll cut the remainder of the four speed access after it is welded in place.  It was getting dark so attempted to push it back into the garage.  Gave up and used the Ram as... well... a ram

Made a big difference working on it outside (before the snow flies) than inside.  SOO much more room.  Next up, finish the floor and work on the pass side firewall.

Also in the works:

Managed to score the 8 point Comp Engineering roll bar from moper.  Also snagged some racing seats off of craigslist for $150!!!  Sorry, no pics of them, went straight into the (now crowded) attic.  and finally have some racing belts on the way!  All that's left is the 2x3x.125" wall frame connectors (which will be after I finish the firewall) and the 30" caps from Auto Rust Technicians.  I might be starting the rear quarters in February!!!

[go-fish]

Sounding pretty good. Those TSI wheels will do you pretty good for track day wheels if you put some slicks on them. I'm sure they are alot lighter than the TT II's. You have to think about Moment of Inertia. The bigger wheels will have much more rotational mass and if you don't need the extra inches to clear big brakes the smaller lighter inches will get better performance.
Ceck out this thread at pro-touring.com. It hits on the wheel size issue.
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38563
I didn't know F1 cars use 13 inch wheels! They do pretty good with small wheels.

[cudazappa]

i know what you're saying.

The one problem with the TSI wheels is width, and the fact I still need to buy good tires.  I have 16x8 front and 18x10 rear of the TTIIs.  And they have new tires on them.  A 10" wide tire will out perform a 8" wide.  I'd hate to divulge the shoe-string budget I'm putting this together with.  A LOT of spare parts, and using what I bought with the car.  and what I do buy will be USED speed equipment (or never installed).  Just have to find a fuel cel...

yeah, 16 and 17" rims are the best for auto cross.  Only problem with 16s is the fact that good tires are getting harder to find.  My only option is the expensive Hoosier Slicks.

They are a great street rim.  Crap, a buddy just offered me 18x9s and 19x10s Ronals ($1000 a RIM) set for $600 with 3 tires.  (in 2 payments no less!!!)  Those would look cooler, but... that's $600 to go towards shocks LOL  Tempted to buy and ebay...  Heck I've got other stuff to do that with, too...

[go-fish]

Have you tried the Blood Bank? 

[cudazappa]

not too much progress as I've been working steadily on the car, but some nights its more moving things around to GET AT the Challenger than actual Challenger work.  Here's some pics from 2 Sundays ago.  Found the hood on eBay locally, $325+gas for a liftoff, needs some work *shrug*





Ok, here's the floor.  I'm a little farther now, worked on the toeboard last night.  Still way to stiff to go out in the cold tonight and putz around with it.



Currently eyeing a fiberglass hinged decklid on eBay, then add a T/A repro spoiler and bond it on.

I decided on keeping the TT2 rims on my 300 and will use the Conquest wheels in one form or another.  If anything I'll find some 15" steelies and dog dish caps for the street, and when the bux come around spring for some 16x9.5-10 Centerlines and Slicks.  I'm liking this style:



Also, playing the waiting game with Uncle Sam so I can pick up a parts lot that includes 340s and 4spds!

Total spent so far:
~$4734
Still a lot left to go!

[cudazappa]

ok, finally an update....

how to save a ton of body work... get a new body!!!!  this will be an E/SP or S/M car.  But per the rules, I'll still end up playing in C/P.  I don't have the guts to cut this one completely up... I'll keep it a full interior...

[brads70]

Ah  a Carlisle purchase?

[422STROKER]

Yes, I remember this car from Carlisle this year, is that the one you bought in MA?

Tom

[A110235]

Your new car looks like a twin to mine!  I've got a '71 that is citron yella with a black top.  Mine is all beat up and crappy looking and the vinyl top was gone when I bought it.  This is the first time I have seen what the color combo really looks like.  Keep us posted with the progress pics man.   

Kyle