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What do you like that is OEM, what do you prefer to be aftermarket ?

Kern Dog

Kern Dog

Life is full of turns. Build your car to handle.
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I know that some guys are strict purists while others like to use aftermarket parts for some things.
A guy I know LOVES the stock A/C system despite the bulk and weight of it all.
Another guy I know does NOT care at all about keeping his cars original.

Me? Here are the things I prefer:
Stock:
Torsion bar suspension.
Leaf springs.
8 3/4" axles or Dana 60.
Engine driven fans.
Carburetors.
Outer body. (NO wings or rear spoilers, fender flares or chopped roofs)
Grilles.
OEM based ignition systems.

Aftermarket:
Some engine parts including pistons and rods, heads, intake, headers and starters.
Transmissions: 4 speed 4L60 kits, Tremec 5 speeds, etc.
Radiators.
Seats and steering wheels.
Gauges.
Headlights.
Battery relocation.
Larger torsion bars and sway bars. Better shocks.
4 wheel disc brakes.
Wheels and tires.
Paint colors.
A/C systems including the smaller Sanden compressor.

What about you ?
 
I like everything you can see to be OEM and hidden stuff to be aftermarket. Sort of a OEM Sleeper
 
I prefer my matching numbers cars to be as close to original as one can make it. Maybe a few exceptions on some mechanical items for improved performance. On the other hand if a desirable car has no hope of being original again, I believe in making it something special that I like. Still I don't go in for body modifications or customs. Really the major thing that Kern Dog mentioned that I like to keep is the stock A/C compressor under the hood. I understand that they are big, heavy and may not perform as well as the other options, but that's just me.
 
It’s a mixed bag for me. Though I do not have any totally stock cars, never got them that way ether, a stock look is great IMO. But I’ll never restore a car. To much of a headache.

My ‘79 Magnum & my ‘73 Cuda looks stock except the wheel width. However if your into cars and MoPars and Cuda’s, (3 different depths of into cars there...) you could/should quickly realize the car isn’t stock at all. An AAR hood w/a 6 pack reside under neath with headers & a radical idle. Also a “GO wing” on the rear deck for the Cuda.

Similar with the Magnum. Outside stock, interior stock, minus radio, under the hood a 5.9 w/headers, A RPM & carb and a mass deletions of wiring. I’m looking around some to redo the dash in aftermarket gauges. Jury is still out on that.

Upgrading other things Kern mentions, I have done a few of those since it is to easy not to. Also quick and easy. I grabbed an aluminum radiator for my Magnum for $200 from AutoZone, a larger size radiator to boot, perfect fit except the shroud. Which was ez to attach and not really needed. The car doesn’t warm up for heat after 20 minutes of driving or idling.
Headlights next. An overdrive would be nice but at the moment, to deep for my wallet and last in line because other things are more important than a toy car. And there’s 4 of those with the wife’s ride.

The ‘71 Duster (sooner or later...) is heading down the race car setting.
Cage, slicks, etc.....
 
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I prefer the way stock stuff looks and how it fits so i always try and find OE stuff when i can but there have been many technological advances is the past half century that can really help the car as well.
 
Personally, don’t mess with the body or interior with the exception of seats. All else is fair game in my opinion.
 
I like my stuff to look stock, aftermarket rims are okay, as are OE style rims that are bigger than stock... Under the hood I prefer that the first impression is stock but if your paying attention there are subtle upgrades...

A/C compressor? Sanden cause it takes 1/3 the horsepower, it runs very smooth & it doesn't leak... The fact it's much lighter doesn't hurt either...

What do you see thats not stock?
IMG_4486.JPG
 
I have screwed with everything I've owned matching numbers blah blah or not. I build them to please me. I like the day 2 subtle hot rod stuff like tunnel Rams , wheels and tires... I don't ever mess with the factory body lines, bumpers and lights, or interior parts other than maybe a shifter. everything I do is completely reversible. I can't count the number of A/C units and bumper jacks I've tossed. most of what I change is under the hood..
 
ON 1967-72 A body cars, I often change the K member and steering linkage to the 73-76 stuff.
I like wider tires so that is a given.
Like many others, I eliminate the ammeter in several of the cars I've owned.
 
It depends on the car for me. I'm the second owner of my Charger, and I like it's originality. My Demon will be quite a bit modified. Eventually.
 
WP29440SE said:
I have screwed with everything I've owned matching numbers blah blah or not. I build them to please me. I like the day 2 subtle hot rod stuff like tunnel Rams , wheels and tires... I don't ever mess with the factory body lines, bumpers and lights, or interior parts other than maybe a shifter. everything I do is completely reversible. I can't count the number of A/C units and bumper jacks I've tossed. most of what I change is under the hood..
Click to expand...
Next time you wanna toss a bumper jack, let me know first, ok? :)
 
I find that most aftermarket stuff usually needs extra work to get it to fit and function correctly.
One common change that should be a bolt-on, but has alot of extra issues, is changing to an aftermarket intake and carb.
First, on many manifolds, the stock manifold bolts will be too long to get around the inner runners, so may have to shorten a few bolts to install the manifold.
Next the, you need to get a carb stud kit which is never part of the manifold or carb kit.
Then you find the carb needs a Chrysler throttle arm adaptor, ok more stuff not included.
Then the factory throttle bracket won't fit the intake, so have to modify the stock one or get something aftermarket.
Then you find out the carb linkage is a few inches forward from stock, so the transmission kickdown linkage, and often the throttle cable, need to be extended.
And, then there is plumbing up the new fuel line(s), and wiring the electric choke if it has one.

Just saying that when someone mentions something like "just swap on this performance part", there is usually more involved than just remove and replace.
 
chtampa said:
I like everything you can see to be OEM and hidden stuff to be aftermarket. Sort of a OEM Sleeper
Click to expand...
I agree. I shoot for OEM look visually, but I always go with a new mini-starter, electronic ignition (mopar or Pertronix), a better coil (normally the accel 8140 painted and stenciled to look OEM), LED lights in the dash, extra row on the radiator, better headlights, an aftermarket carb where it makes sense, better clutch, radial tires. I have had a bunch of cars in row over some 25 years (about a dozen have come and gone, including A12 and Hemi) and this is the recipe that I seem to have landed on.
 
I want my car to look like a 69 Roadrunner looked in 69 but I have no issues with upgrades to shocks, engine upgrades and so on. I have the utmost respect for those that restore their cars using all original parts but for me, I'm more into go than show so yeah, exterior, interior, under the hood look stock as possible but my car has a 440+6, and a dana. It came with a 383 and 8 3/4 but I never had the original engine and never lost any sleep over it.
Oh and I have a pistol grip shifter because well it's a pistol grip! Still have the original shifter though and can put it back in 15 minutes anytime I want
 
Old School Hot Rodder. I use what ever I can find,what I can afford and make it work.Within reason.
 
Body lines stay the same. Everything else is upgradable if I so desire.

The next owner can restore it back if they want.
 
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These cars were special just the way they were, so original in appearance for sure.Having said that, improving handling, braking, performance and drivability makes good sense.I have found more times than not, aftermarket parts are usually a step backwards.Factory style paint with a tiny bit of orange peel rather than cut and polish suits me fine.And for me real nice original pieces are preferred over perfect or show reproductions parts.
If you must must...just a splash of jewelry or lipstick.
 
Kern Dog said:
ON 1967-72 A body cars, I often change the K member and steering linkage to the 73-76 stuff.
I like wider tires so that is a given.
Like many others, I eliminate the ammeter in several of the cars I've owned.
Click to expand...

Ive never had a problem with the amp meter. Probably because I check and upgrade the wiring making sure everything is tight and proper. I get told all the time for decades now how my car will go on fire if I don’t do the change. LMAO! 33 years and counting, no fire!

I also do not tax the system with big power alternators and extra equipment that draws heavy power loads.


moparedtn said:
Next time you wanna toss a bumper jack, let me know first, ok? :)
Click to expand...
Bumper jack for what car/style?
 
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