Well here I go...

[cudadave72]

As of this week the Cuda is coming completely apart for the first time in 38 years. Its only had a few repaints and quarter panels in the past. If things go as planned I have a buyer for my engine coming down Tuesday or Wednesday. From that point I'm going through it inch for inch. Most people think I'm crazy as the car is still a stunning driver but there are several issues with the car that is driving me nuts. The hood hinge area has rust issues, the trunk is very week, the last guy who install the quarter panels did not address rust issues with the trunk extensions and the list goes on. Upcoming plans include a new 440 cube small block being built by Ryan at Shady Dell out of a 48 degree simese bore R3 block with an Indy top end package. The last one he built made 729hp on pump gas!!! My goals when the car is done is to have a stock appearing Cuda that runs low 10s/high 9s! I already have a new set of ralley wheels that will be going on the car. I'll be keeping a log of my progress in the restoration section. I hope to have the car done within a year to a year and a half. Wish me luck! Here are last pictures of how the car looks now.

[EDGEFIND]

As long as you're happy with your decisions, that's all that matters. Best of luck with everything and may it kick much butt once it has been revived. 

[4Cruizn]

WOW sounds like big plans!  Can't wait to see the final results!   

[Chryco Psycho]

Looking forward to the new version , sounds awesome to me 

[torredcuda]

Already a sweet car that will be even better when done and wil kick a lot of big block a$$!

[Bullitt-]

            Get-Er-Done

[brads70]

Sounds like fun! The new engine sounds impressive!

[cudadave72]

I figure it would be a perfect time to do it now as my twins are 7 months old and we have been so busy with them I only took the car out of the garage 2 times since they were born. I own an auto repair shop which gives me a perfect opportunity to work on it when I'm slow. On average I think I can put in about 2 hours a day on the car. I converted one of my bays to house the Cuda and serve as my "body shop". My shop manager was in the body shop business for years and his brother is one of the best painters in town so it looks like I'll be into the paint and body for very little $. The engine is a different story.

[Cooter]

Please be sure and post the parts as well as their perspective prices on a 720 HP small block, on pump gas...
And whether or not it is streetable, even though it runs on pump fuel...
Would be curious as to the cost with a SB VS BB....

[cudadave72]

Well Cooter I know we have butted heads on small block vs big block stuff before and I clearly admitted that there is no replacement for cubic displacement. However as for 1972 my Cuda rolled off the line as the top offering of that year being a BS23H code 340 car and eventhough its not a numbers matching car I want to keep it a small block car. If I was lucky enough to own a 70/71 big block car (which is next on my list) rest assured that it would be one bad ass stroker big block. That being said I am spending proably twice as much to build this small block. According to Ryan the typical build for this engine is between $18 to $22,000.00 dollars depending on certain options. Being that I am a shop owner and have wholesale deals with several performance vendors I wil be closer to 15k as I intend on suppling Ryan with some of the bigger items.(Block, crank etc...)
Like I said he has built several engine similar to what I am looking to do and are very streetable. The numbers he got on the dyno were on pump gas. Also keep in mind I am using top notch items and should I decide that I want add a supercharger or turbo(s) later on the bottom end will support well over 1200hp plus. I think for now 730hp is plenty enough to crush anything I come across on hwy 74 on my way to work!

[dutch]

I`m looking forward to following your build. I think it`s the perfect time to restore the body, now it is still in good shape. Pretty cool you keep a smallblock in there too....outragious smallblock that is....
good luck in the process 

[AARCUDADEN]

Best of luck with the project Dave and looking forward to seein progress pics  That is a purdy Cuda you have there. Your one of the few here caring the small block torch dor us small block guys  

[Road_Runner]

Beautiful car as it sits right now, but totally agree about getting the rot out before it severely compromises what you have.  700+ HP small block? Unreal!  That is going to smoke a lot of unsuspecting modern 'hot' cars.  I'm toying with a Supercharger Store Procharger setup on either the stock 318 or the 340 I have to build for my 73 Barracuda.  And like yours, stock appearing is big on my priority list at least until I pop the hood if I decide to go blown.   Do you think you can get the traction you need for low 10s, high 9s with the rallyes?  Just curious.

Later, Jim

[Aussie Challenger]

Are you going to strengthen the body at all, frame connectors and upgraded suspension as well? This is certainly going to be a car that will keep the MOPAR flag flying high and the rest in your dust.   

[Street_Challenged73]

Best of luck with the build!   Your car has always been very nice & threw down some respectable numbers in the 1/4, but your upcoming engine build sounds like it's going to be intense!   It's awesome your plans are essentially what I'm eventually going to be doing with my Chally; keep it stock-appearing, but have some major power happening under the hood.