New guy has some questions about 71 Challenger

['Cuda Hunter]

Take off the hard back and look for a build sheet.


I don't think I have seen a chevy motor in an ebody.

[Super Blue 72]

The Chevy engine, although the purists will raise stink over it, does make sense from your standpoint.  I can appreciate the price discount with Chevy stuff compared to Mopar or even Ford prices.  Will be interesting to see.  As you can imagine, it isn't going to be a straight bolt together process.  I think the Chevy engine mounts are closer to the front so it'll push the engine back towards the firewall... 

I thought of the LS1/LT1 route but with an old gen 2 Trans Am.  Semi modern fuel injection, daily driver economy and "reliability".  Also thought of using the IROC-Z rims.  Would be a "craigslist build", meaning all the parts I would scrounge for cheap of craigslist.

[glovemeister]

The Chevy engine, although the purists will raise stink over it, does make sense from your standpoint.  I can appreciate the price discount with Chevy stuff compared to Mopar or even Ford prices.  Will be interesting to see.  As you can imagine, it isn't going to be a straight bolt together process.  I think the Chevy engine mounts are closer to the front so it'll push the engine back towards the firewall... 

I thought of the LS1/LT1 route but with an old gen 2 Trans Am.  Semi modern fuel injection, daily driver economy and "reliability".  Also thought of using the IROC-Z rims.  Would be a "craigslist build", meaning all the parts I would scrounge for cheap of craigslist.

I do appreciate the advice there Cuda Hunter. I never even considered looking behind the hard back of the one seat I have. Nearly as much as I can determine is that the build sheet was tucked up into the seat springs of the rear seat, and now it is all scraps. I'm not really a chevy guy, but the motor fits all of the requirements that I have.

I do agree Super Blue. If it wasn't for a parts run that I made in September I wouldn't have had much for my car at all, essentially just a rolling shell. I am really gonna be bad if I have to get a grille and taillights/panel too, and if I have to go that far I will start docking what I am paying my friend.

I do appreciate the info on the motor mount location, that will be one of the primary things that I am concerned with.

[glovemeister]

I stripped the seats down today. Foam and covering is toast. Do I need to remove the springs from the inside of the foam or does the new foam come with those?

The one hardback challenger seat I have apparently has a broken post on it so the seat is basically garbage since it is so rusty. Was only the back though so it doesn't really matter.

['Cuda Hunter]

Was there a build sheet in the broken back?

[glovemeister]

Was there a build sheet in the broken back?

No, but I found what I believe to be a build sheet in the rear seat springs. It is roughly about the size of a sheet of paper and a slightly pinkish color, where as the foam is yellow. I couldn't make anything out on it though and it is just a guess. The car is now bare on the inside and I've looked in every crack and crevice and found none. I was really disappointed about that. 

Did discs come as a rare factory option?

[Super Blue 72]

For '71 I don't think they are rare.  Definately not rare for '72 and up.  I would venture a guess that for '70 most cars came with the disc brakes. 

[glovemeister]

For '71 I don't think they are rare.  Definately not rare for '72 and up.  I would venture a guess that for '70 most cars came with the disc brakes. 

Ah ok. I just hoped it may be kind of rare, oh well lol.

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

You're going to put a Chevy engine in the Challenger? 

As far as I have seen, I think all seats had the hard plastic backs... 

The Chevallenger R/T. Will it have an L88 Hood or the Z28 Cowl Induction and a Camaro interior?

[Super Blue 72]

Oooo....I love those L88 hoods!  Look awesome on Vettes and Camaros.  I have yet to see one on a non GM car.  I think those are a wicked cool design.  They need to be, IMO, on something with a point in the front, thus they look cool on a Vette.  E-bodieshave a flat lip on the hood.  If having to choose between an L88 or Cowl induction, I would go cowl induction. 

[glovemeister]

The Chevallenger R/T. Will it have an L88 Hood or the Z28 Cowl Induction and a Camaro interior?

Body/interior is going to be 100% original like it left the factory. Gauges will be the rally cluster it left the factory with. Only thing that I am doing different is the underhood/tranny because I need every single thing, and two because I have no build sheet, and 3 I really like the LT1 motors and want to be different.

 

[glovemeister]

What all do I need to get my front clip of my car back together?




I already have an original R/T hood that I picked up. I have the front bumper, and what you see is it. I assume I need the grille, the headlight surrounds/panel (think that is what they are called), front valance, and then the hood latch/core support mechanism.

Anything else? Just trying to compose a list so I have some goal to work towards. Getting the exterior together and then interior is my goal right now, drive train and such can wait.

[glovemeister]

Also I would really appreciate it if someone has a 71 and can take some pics of their interior. Just trying to get an idea of how everything looks and what I need. I've browsed around and found a few pics of various cars. The 3 point seatbelt design of the car is confusing me a bit. It will be a while before I need to worry about that though I guess.

[glovemeister]

Hey everyone,

Bringing this back from the dead. Fixing to start getting the  old primer removed and abrasive blast the car, new floor boards, and find out whatever else bondo is on the car. Gonna need to fix the b pillar as it is cracked (bondo is at least). I'll know more about what I need to do when the layers of paint and whatever else are off. Hopefully car will be primed and painted in the next couple of months. Will post pics as I get it done.

[Super Blue 72]

What all do I need to get my front clip of my car back together?




I already have an original R/T hood that I picked up. I have the front bumper, and what you see is it. I assume I need the grille, the headlight surrounds/panel (think that is what they are called), front valance, and then the hood latch/core support mechanism.

Anything else? Just trying to compose a list so I have some goal to work towards. Getting the exterior together and then interior is my goal right now, drive train and such can wait.

That sounds like a good list for now.  Will need all the wiring/lights and such.  You'll find out as you go along.

Post pics and we can help you better!