My 70 Roadrunner Viper build

[70 Viper]

I have been working on my Viper powered Roadrunner for the last 2 years and thought it as about time to post up some photos of what I have been up to.
The car certainly didn't look pretty when I bought it but knew it could be brought back to a good body. The floor pan and chassis rails were rust free. It had the usual issues in the trunk , quarters etc.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Can not wait to see more of this! Do you already have the Viper powertrain? What are the other plans for the build?

 

[747mopar]

Sweet! This is one I'll be watching for sure.

 

[Budnicks]

cool build I hope to see & hear more about the combo & details of the installation too

 

[70 Viper]

As seen in the last pics, I had shell media blasted and then gave it a coat of etch primer before tearing into body work. Early on I decided to renew both quarters and fit a one piece trunk floor with new extensions also. The roof had some rust damage above drip rails at rear pillars. I wasn't going to replace roof but the bloke who did the blasting managed to warp the skin. I have tidied up the mess that someone made doing mini tubs previously and modified the outer wheel housings. I have modified the rear of the chassis rails to get hanger pivots higher up. The car has a spring relocation kit fitted when the mini tubs were initially done. Engine is a Gen3 8.3 out of a Quad Cab Ram, as I wanted an auto trans. I have retained the 489 differential and have added disc brakes. I picked up a good used cone type LSD for it and will run with the 3.23 gears at this stage. I am sure I will change the ratio later on, probably a 3.9 would suit it better.

 

[70 Viper]

Some more pics of the rust I found in rear pillars under roof skin. Obviously had some very average repairs done at some stage in the last 45 years in this area. I have increased the size of the side scoops in the quarter panels. I used the lower sections off my original quarters and butt welded them in. I plan the make a mold of original scoop trims and then extend the mold and manufacture new trims with carbon fiber. So far I have replaced both quarters, deck filler panel. trunk floor and extensions, r/h rocker, r/h door, roof skin and hood with new AMD panels. The AMD panels are good but I did find I had to make a lot of adjustments to get them fitting nice[/ATTACH]

 

[Kevman89]

Wow, I'm liking this build, which generation Viper engine are you going with?

 

[70 Viper]

Thanks Kevman89, Its a Gen 3 engine

 

[Kevman89]

Ahh nice, same series I went with, have you done much research on the wiring harness + computer?
I've got a few contacts at Arrow Racing in Detroit

Thanks Kevman89, Its a Gen 3 engine

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Wow, great looking work so far and bad@ss choice of drivetrain! All I could afford to Viperize my Charger were a pair of gen 3 bucket seats lol! Very cool modification to the side "scoops," too. Looking forward to seeing more progress

 

[747mopar]

Love the enlarged scoops, looks right!

 

[70 Viper]

Ahh nice, same series I went with, have you done much research on the wiring harness + computer?
I've got a few contacts at Arrow Racing in Detroit

I did make up a test loom to run engine when I got it. It started and ran for a few seconds then would cutout... security key signal not present. I sent computer to Arrington Performance and had security function removed and a re-flash done to give it a little more grunt. I haven't attempted to run it again yet.
I am not an expert auto electrician but I know my way round EFI systems and wiring better than most mechanics so hopefully shouldn't have too many issues, Haha hope I haven't spoken too soon. I will be making a complete new loom for it and I have just started drawing up a schematic to decide layout and number of fused circuits I will need.
Any assistance with ideas or tips is always greatly accepted.

- - - Updated - - -

Did a huge amount of test fitting and fixing gaps on quarters. The gaps when rear bumper was fitted was terrible so cut open and welded in filler pieces. It looks a little rough but pics were taken before I had finished working repair. I have made a new trans tunnel and joined torsion bar crossmember with new center section. I made a new firewall section to smooth it out and have relocated wiper motor and brake booster under the dash. I used a wiper motor and brake booster assy from a Toyota Hiace van and made new mounting brackets.

 

[kiwigtx]

Looking good so far mate. :headbang: Have you seen Ian's Viper powered '68 GTX in Auckland? That's has some very cool engineering on-board.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325898294162783.76655.322768704475742&type=3

 

[70 Viper]

Looking good so far mate. :headbang: Have you seen Ian's Viper powered '68 GTX in Auckland? That's has some very cool engineering on-board.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325898294162783.76655.322768704475742&type=3

Yeah I have chatted with Ian a few times. His car is very cool! I was amazed by the amount of time he spent colour sanding and polishing the underside. It will be flawless when its finished. It should be all painted by now and off getting its upholstery done from what he told me at Kumeu. I wish I had a similar budget to work with , the rate I am going I will be looking for a paint sponsor

 

[Budnicks]

Looking good so far mate. :headbang: Have you seen Ian's Viper powered '68 GTX in Auckland? That's has some very cool engineering on-board.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325898294162783.76655.322768704475742&type=3

That is impressive

 

[Kevman89]

The Drag Pak harness I have is pieced together from a Gen V Viper engine, and has all of the body module components removed, the ECU is also programmed to be a standalone and does not look for the body module. I have all of the schematics from Arrow that I can forward to your email if you'd like

 

[70 Viper]

The Drag Pak harness I have is pieced together from a Gen V Viper engine, and has all of the body module components removed, the ECU is also programmed to be a standalone and does not look for the body module. I have all of the schematics from Arrow that I can forward to your email if you'd like

That would be great.
Thank you

 

[keepat]

Awesome build! side scoops are cool!
good luck!
Pat

 

[rapidtransitric]

i'm looking forward to your progress.

 

[HawkRod]

Great build and some nice ideas taking shape!

Keep up the good work!