Frustration with dad and my restoration

[jims70cuda]

Sorry, but I have to rant. 

My dad is currently overseeing my 'Cuda during my time stationed in Germany. For the most part, he is spot on with his knowledge...he restored a 72 RR and has an unrestored numbers matching 73 Chally 318. His advice has already helped me with the purchase. Basically saying if I didn't buy it, he would. And he has helped verify the bodywork that has been done.

Here is my dilema: he has a different idea of how and to what level I should restore the Cuda. There are 4 major areas of disaggreement.
1) Replacing the 727 with a manual because I like the control and fuel savings; he says just use the 727 and add an overdrive from gear vendors
2) Add fuel injection since I know absolutely nothing about carbs and it would increase mileage; his response, learn and you won't drive the car enough to see a difference
3) Replace the suspension with the XV1 kit; his rebuttal is it would be a waste of time and money and the you won't be driving it to that performance level
4) He thinks I should add the shaker hood (it came stock with the sport)

Unless the Cuda is very rare, I don't see the point of restoring it to near stock, especially the suspension and drivetrain. I want the car to be a driver and perform better than stock; but if I ever did get rid of it, I want to be able to put it back to stock specs.

Maybe I should just fork up the money for Galen to verify that it's not very rare. I'm sure many of you don't know the car or me so here is the car's background. It is a 2 fender tag BS23 'Cuda and options include; 340, 727 w/ 3.91 on the floor, lemon twist, black vinyl top, rear window louvers, spoiler, hockey stick stripe, light package, rallye gauges, power disk brakes, AM-8track, dual racing mirrors. For the most part the car is exactly what I wanted, except for the auto trans.

Sorry to vent, but it sucks having the car back in the states and almost no control. Luckily, it should be a while before the bodywork and paint is done.

[Moparal]

It's your car and your money.   You have a cool car tho for how it was built.  But refer back to my first comment

[wagesofsin]

It's your car and your money.   You have a cool car tho for how it was built.  But refer back to my first comment

 

as a father who helps his kids restore cars , i can almost see his point, perhaps its his dream car and he hasnt told you. us dads can be a real p.i.t.a. sometimes as well.
i dont know either of you so im only speculating here.
i say do as you please, like alan said, its your car, and your funding this project.

[the_engineers]

First, has he not priced a Gear Vendors set-up?  $2700 would practically have the 4-speed conversion done.

Going EFI should allow you to run back and forth between regular gas and E-85, which is 108 octane.  That should perk up his ears.

XV is expensive, but seems to be worth it to everyone that has one.

Shaker hood: $3000.  If he'll buy it, run it.

You didn't mention the year of your car, but post-71 cars won't have as much restored value, so roll with the way you want it (I know, let the hate mail begin).

[72hemi]

Judging by the options on the car I am going to take a guess that it is a 70 cuda. Like was stated its your car and your money. If it were me and my car I would do the 4 speed conversion, install the fuel injection, get the suspension upgrades (either from XV or another source like Firm Feel) and I would add the shaker hood. But I would start with a plain jane barracuda and build it the way I want and not modify a factory 70 BS23 car.

[Grancoupe]

I would decide on a final config and stick with it. If stock is your thing then build the car in that direction. If your looking to achieve a higher level of performance and handling, then go for it. Once you start in that direction stick with it. The most expensive thing you can do is redoing what you completed because it was not what you wanted.

[IMNCARN82]

All of the ideas are expensive. I'd get it running with a 4 bbl. And an auto. Make your upgrades after it's bugs are worked out.Or your closer to driving it. It's easy to get in deep and get stuck. Just my   I understand though! You should hear me and my bro talk about the Charger.    It's pretty funny.   Personally I like your car the way it came from Ma'. Sounds like a cool ride. But make it yours in the end. 

[jims70cuda]

I know it's my money, but trying to tell him that is a pain. Especially when everything will be in his storage unit once the car is finished being painted.

Wages - I think he sees it as more of an investment. He rarely drives the RR or Chally and trailers one to any show more than 100 miles away. Nothing wrong with it, but I want to be able to drive the Power Tour and make it to Mopars on the Strip without worrying about if it's going to break down.

Engineer - I know, I also looked into the Keisler TKO 600 (really expensive and doesn't shift well over 5k from reviews). My father won't get on the cars. I think he has hit 4k once, so E-85 won't impress him. I told him if he wants a shaker, buy it for me. His wallet hasn't opened yet. And it is a '70. Funny thing is, I like the 72-74 round tail lights better.

My biggest point to him is that all the changes can be undone. He is just hardheaded and stuck in his ways. Like I said, just needed to vent. 

[Bullitt-]

Funny your Dad would want to spend for the one item on the list that would contribute the least to performance.... & I for one prefer the non-functional hood scoops for strictly the aesthetics.

Do you really plan on driving this car a LOT??.. Carb may make more sense if not.

I have an automatic but don't believe the stock 4-speed swap worth it....I want a 5-speed $$$

What all does the suspension need?.. Get a tally of all the component costs that it would take to make a stock style suspension anything close to the XV & you may be able to show him that the XV is not a bad buy.

Getting along with parents is a necessary struggle.  I'm 50 & still try to get my Dad's approval or at least seek his wisdom on many things.

[the_engineers]

Neither of you should be too frustrated, it's just the generational differences.

Your dad sounds like he likes them as original as possible.  You're angling towards "pro-touring"

Both are cool.  It's just a matter of how you enjoy your car.  Can dad search out a non-BS car for you and take over the 70 for himself (both happy)?

[Topcat]

Judging by the options on the car I am going to take a guess that it is a 70 cuda. Like was stated its your car and your money. If it were me and my car I would do the 4 speed conversion, install the fuel injection, get the suspension upgrades (either from XV or another source like Firm Feel) and I would add the shaker hood. But I would start with a plain jane barracuda and build it the way I want and not modify a factory 70 BS23 car.

If it were me, I'd leave it bone stock including the correct manifolds. Once you go tearing out floor humps to switch to M/T, you will never get it back like it originally was with OEM sheet metal.

[69bronzeT5]

My dad would do the same thing with my Charger. He kept coming up with ideas of his own and would pretty much try really hard to convience me his ideas were better than mine. He's gotten to the point now where he knows it's my car and as long as I'm long the way it turns out, that's what matters.

[73Chally]

To get some better input, you need to spell out your intentions with the car as far as how much/how far you plan on driving it.  What is your reasoning for the XV and the EFI?  If mileage is a concern and you want to drive the Power Tour, you will probably be better off with EFI and the 727 with overdrive.  If it is just weekend cruising, go with the 4 speed and carb.  Personally I wouldn't bother with the XV or shaker hood.  The hood is purely a looks thing and not worth the extra $$$$$, and for the suspension, just do a rebuild with poly bushings, and get bigger torsion bars and add a front sway bar if it does not already have one. 

[jims70cuda]

IMNCARN82 - I see what you are saying about getting the car running, but I'd rather build it once and be done (like it will ever be "done"). Right now it's a blank canvas, the best chance to make the changes.

Gran - I pretty much did have the final picture in my mind. Which is everything I said, but included stroking the 340 since it is not the numbers matching engine and updating the audio. Everything else would be near stock. Those items he had no problem with.

Engineer - I agree, generational differences. He doesn't get why I like my neon SRT, being a 4 cyl. I haven't brought up to possibility of him searching for another barracuda, it's something I will think about.

Topcat - the floorboards have already been replaced. Actually, I think the only metal that is original are the frame and doors.

Bullitt - Driving it will depend on my location. If I am up north, then it will be put away for winter. However, if I get stationed in the southwest, I plan on driving it whenever possible.

[HemiOrange70]

First off I am a dad and Dad's are never wrong! LOL

It is your car so do what you want. I think a #'s 340 cuda is worth something.

I agreee with other posts that build the 340 with auto and change what you want later.
4 speed conversions, XP suspension, shaker hoods and the like are a lot of work and money.
build it, drive it, change what you don't like later