Opinions

[plumcrazzy]

Got a '70 Challenger 440 Six-Pack, Plum Crazy, Black Vinyl top, 3.54 Dana 60, Pistol Grip, Black Interior. Did a full resto a few years ago--car runs great--no problems. #'s matching with fender tag and build sheet. Everything is correct. I like the car just fine but wish it handled  little more like a late model car. Looking for opinions on whether to keep it stone stock or try to upgrade it by adding--
*Power disc brakes
*A/C
*Late model style/type suspension
*Performance & handling upgrades
Just curious about availability of parts and whether these upgrades will have any effect on the cars value. Chime in with your thoughts. Thanks

[anlauto]

As far as hurting it's value......
Personally I wouldn't do A/C

I would start with 17" YearOne wheels with nice wide rubber...

Consider bigger sway bars, and better shocks....Nothing that can't be bolted on.....

[JoeGrapes]

Someone once said "anybody can restore a car to original, but it takes a real man to cut one up"  If you are going to enjoy your car more, them by all means make it the way you want.  I tried the originality route when I was doing my car and didn't like it. I don't like being backed into a corner with having to follow a fixed set of rules whether I liked it or not.   

[ToxicWolf]

Someone once said "anybody can restore a car to original, but it takes a real man to cut one up"  If you are going to enjoy your car more, them by all means make it the way you want.  I tried the originality route when I was doing my car and didn't like it. I don't like being backed into a corner with having to follow a fixed set of rules whether I liked it or not.

That's why I bought a car without a numbers matching engine.  No guilt.   

If you only change things that can be returned to original by a new owner, you never need to worry.  My advice, do anything you want to the car and just live with the guilt.  It's more fun that way.   

[tommyg29]

Bolt on parts only, and keep all the original parts carefully stored.

[Chryco Psycho]

Wicked car BTW
 handling up grades & brakes , better wheels & tires are approx. 1/2 of the better handling

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Wicked car BTW
 handling up grades & brakes , better wheels & tires are approx. 1/2 of the better handling

Suspension upgrades make a REAL difference! 

[HP2]

The Hotchkis and Firm Feel suspensions are capable of bolting in to stock positions and not being noticed as non original in most instances. Either of those with a radial friendly alignment will significantly improve handling, even with 15" tires.

Same with power discs. You can shop for parts to put a factory style system in there that  will appear OEM, use mostly Mopar parts, and  most guys won't know it isn't stock.

A/C will be much tougher to do and appear stock but could be done. Personally, I'd avoid the factory compression as teh new compressors are much more efficient and rpm friendly.

[GreenFishie]

If you're worried about the car's value ... then I agree with everyone that has said bolt-ons. If you want to  go extreme with the handling ... maybe ditch the rear leafs for a coil over system while converting the rear drums to disk.

 http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/1312_street_lynx_rear_suspension/

You could also swap that 440 for a 340 ... blasphemy I know

[brads70]

As far as hurting it's value......
Personally I wouldn't do A/C

I would start with 17" YearOne wheels with nice wide rubber...

Consider bigger sway bars, and better shocks....Nothing that can't be bolted on.....

The Hotchkis and Firm Feel suspensions are capable of bolting in to stock positions and not being noticed as non original in most instances. Either of those with a radial friendly alignment will significantly improve handling, even with 15" tires.

Same with power discs. You can shop for parts to put a factory style system in there that  will appear OEM, use mostly Mopar parts, and  most guys won't know it isn't stock.

A/C will be much tougher to do and appear stock but could be done. Personally, I'd avoid the factory compression as teh new compressors are much more efficient and rpm friendly.

   Lots of bolt on options that will allow the car to return to stock in a weekend!
The Hotchkis kit and the year one 17" rims are the simplest route. Also this brake upgrade using stock parts.
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html
Be aware the Hotchkis rear springs will lower the rear  of the car.
On a budget I'd suggest tubular front sway bar, bigger torsion bars 1.060" (or bigger! ) quick ratio arms Bilstein RCD or Hotchkis/ridetech/fox shocks and the 17" rims and tires

[calicuda70]

Xv motorsports stuff is still being made as well, I got my kit 3 weeks ago If you want a number for it pm me

Heres a write up on it http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=72360.0 not my car but I have the rear installed and I'm going to do the front soon.

Cuda james

[BS27R1B]

I would not go beyond the wheels and tires with a real numbers matching 440-6 4 speed car.

If you still have issues after that consider maximizing on your car's value and buy a car with most of the modifications already done. It is cheaper to buy a car already modified than to modify a car yourself. Starting with the wheels and tires you would be hard pressed to get better than 50% of your money back on any modifications.

[Mopar Thunder]

Bottom line is it's your car do what you want, it's your decision.  I would probably do all bolt on stuff with the car you have as noted with others.  I have a 65 Vette all original and I'm stuck with it rolling in the turns and such. It's a beautiful car but I enjoy the Cuda more. It's not all original but I also won't cut it up just in case the next owner wants to make it original.

[KZ]

I guess I am a purist, keep it stock, sure it doesn't handle like today's cars, you cannot compare today's car with a 1970 car

[71chmark]

Sell it and use the money to make a wicked awesome one of a kind car you're not afraid to drive for fear of value loss.