1973 Challenger project with 5.9 magnum and 518/46RE overdrive install.

[Travis72]

Sounds like an interesting project and you've done a ton of work already.  I have not seen many 5.9 Magnum installs.  Be aware that the 518 is a big tranny and will take some cutting.

If you're running a stock computer, then yes it will require the cat and O2 sensors otherwise it will throw a code.  If you're running some sort of aftermarket computer you won't need the car but the O2 sensors would still be needed.

My old 5.9 Dakota had 3.92's which was a good gear even on the highway with 28" tall tires.  If you're going to run shorter tires then a 3.73 might be a better option.

Travis
72 Cuda

[Kelly B.A.]

I have done a little home work on the tranny and have photos of where to "trim" tranny,to get it in.I am not gona trim car tunnel.I know I will have to fab up a new mount and have a driveshaft made.Being able to run 3.91 and have 2.7's in OD sound great to me.I' am not up on all preformance mods to the Magnum engines,where would I get a computter that would allow me to remove the cat? Also if I use the stock 2000,van computer,with out cat,it will throw the code,but will it have any neg effects on preformence or driveabilty?Because 73 in NY will not have to be plugged in to pass inspection. I want to get this going then mabe start hopping it up. But goal to to drive the hell outta this thing.Mabe after she is going drop in a junk yark 5.7 hemi,I have been a good boy, mabe Santa will.......

[Kelly B.A.]

Well started to tear the van down today for the install,I think,I might make a trailer out of what is left from the van. If I take out the front windsheild,and remove doors,then cut the pillers and bend the roof down to meet the door pillars.I know this may take some work but could be cool.I will take some photos as I plan to cut van in 1/2 tomorrow.I want to try and have it so the engine will still run in the front 1/2 of van.If I cut right at front of dog house,it may work.Then I can keep it in the corner of my shop.Will be sometime after the new year before it will go in.

[the_engineers]

Sweet.  Lots of pics, please.

[Street_Challenged73]

It looks like you have a very nice start on this project!   Keep up the good work!

[Kelly B.A.]

Well I ran into 2 snags today,1st it snowed last night,not a lot,and the roads were clear by 7:00am when I went to the shop,but the van was not cleared off.So after I brushed off the snow/ice that I could,without peeling paint.I pulled in the heated shop and had icy water dripping on me all morning.I had to change my pants twice(not that kinda change) :poopoke:because they somehow fell in the pool of water under my creeper.2nd snag, I have to learn to look at what I have and trust no one,because my tranny does not look the same as all the carved up 518 photos I have on this e-body swap.So this may suck I little more then I had thought.I have posted photos of my tranny,it looks like it has a speed sensor vs speedo cable. So I went to my work van(2000,Ram 3500),and took a look at that tranny,the same thing.So I also discover the van I just got for the conversion is a 1998,not a 2000 like I was told.

[Kelly B.A.]

Here is photo. I drove the 1998 and it is a sweet running,driving 5.9 w/some sort of overdrive tranny 3500 van with 70k.My 2000 work 3500,also 5.9 with overdrive.Any Idea what tranny I have and how much crap I'am about to get into?Photos from cell phone sorry,and that light is the sun comming through the window.

[Travis72]

Back to the computer question.... the stock Magnum computers can not be reprogrammed or modified. However as long as you are only doing basic bolt-ons to the engine you should be fine.  The only place I've heard that can do anything with them is B&G Chrysler but I don't know if they still do that.   If you're worried about throwing a code without a cat (on my 2000 Dakota it had a O2 sensor before and after the cat and the computer was looking for a change between the two), you can buy O2 simulators that would replace the after cat O2 sensor with a resistor to give the computer the proper reading (you used to be able to buy them at Summit and other places).

There are a couple different intake manifolds that replace the beer barrel intake, along with cams and even aluminum heads.  So you have some options for future engine modifications.

On the tranny, I'm not sure... you might have better luck posting your question to the tranny forum where the guru of transmissions tactransman can respond as he'll know for sure.  I do know that sometime in the 90's Dodge went from the RH (rear wheel drive, hydraulic) to the RE (rear wheel drive, electronic) version of the 518.  That might be what you're dealing with between the 1998 and 2000?

Travis
72 Cuda

[the_engineers]

Transmissions after '95 are computer controlled, but if you're staying with stock-ish combinations, you shouldn't have any issues.

[Kelly B.A.]

So then it will fit grinding the case like all the 518 swap photos? If I don't have to hack the crossmember,just transplant eng,tranny and wires and computers,then I think I'am still on,like donkey kong, with this project.Just got to do some more homework.

[Kelly B.A.]

Did not work on Challenger,but still had some fun.

[Kelly B.A.]

Started life as a one ton,guess it is a 1/2 ton now?

[Kelly B.A.]

Still runs!!!!!

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

I guess that makes things a lot easier to work on...............

[Kelly B.A.]

Everything is stuffed it the van,now I can see all the wires I will need,and get to the stuff ez.
And cause chicks dig it.