79 Magnum GT dream build idea

I've always loved the 78-79 Magnum GT's. Especially the 79 with the revised taillights. So, I have been tossing around ideas about building a Magnum with some upgrades, keeping it fairly faithful in appearance. Here's some thoughts I have:
Start with a decent Magnum body-78 or 79
GT flares
15x8 Super coupe wheels
295-50 rear tires, 255-50 fronts
No A/C or power options.
400 stroked to 451
aluminum heads
mini starter
modern EFI system
electric pump in the fuel tank
orange dual snorkel air cleaner to appear stock
headers, or at least magnum manifolds
2 1/2" or 3" dual exhaust with 69-70 Dodge square exhaust tips
Or, a modern Hemi swapped in.....
Tremec 5 speed
pistol grip shifter
solid K frame biscuits
71-71 B body Hemi rear springs
replace the rubber isolated spring plates and rear axle with 71-72 B body 8 3/4
3.91 gears
lose some pounds of sound deadening etc.

Or alternatively, do this same recipe to any 75-79 B body, 2 or 4 door.

The beauty of these late B bodies, is tons of parts from the 71's swap right in

I've wanted an old T-top Magnum since about '85, finally gave up and bought a newer one....

from 73 to 79 , the suspensions are basically identical with the exception of the shock plates from the 74 to 75 transition. not much more other than drivetrain will interchange.

Its nice to dream but sometime reality needs to set in. Some of the parts you list are difficult at best to find. It took me 35 years to find another '79 Magnum GT that had the addition of E58 package and T-tops. Some could care less but it nice to bring one of my cars to a car show and not see another like it.

Pete Kaczmarski said:

Its nice to dream but sometime reality needs to set in. Some of the parts you list are difficult at best to find. It took me 35 years to find another '79 Magnum GT that had the addition of E58 package and T-tops. Some could care less but it nice to bring one of my cars to a car show and not see another like it.
View attachment 931715

Click to expand...

Beauutiful car.
I have a 79 Magnum GT myself. I have my eye on a regular Magnum XE to apply my ideas to.

WP29440SE said:

from 73 to 79 , the suspensions are basically identical with the exception of the shock plates from the 74 to 75 transition. not much more other than drivetrain will interchange.

Click to expand...

And that is what I am talking about. Drivetrain updates. I know these cars in and out. There are way more interchangeable parts than some think

Fm3 Dart said:

And that is what I am talking about. Drivetrain updates. I know these cars in and out. There are way more interchangeable parts than some think

Click to expand...

I've had a few myself. I've had a 74 charger sitting next to a 77 SE and tried to interchange every part off the 77 on to the 74 that would possibly fit.

If your interested in a 78 black with a red interior bucket seats, 400-4 motor, with sun roof (rebuilt), gauge package with teck. Also have a 400 stroker block built 10.1 removed from a wrecked magnum. , a spare 72 8.75 rear end. Some spare GT flares. Body panels were repaired professionally (trunk lower quarter on one side- small patch). Many NOS parts (Grill, front end side pieces, tail lights, emblems.....). bumper holes filled in with studs for mounting. Need painting, gas tank. Located in Denver CO sent PM if interested.

dodge1972 said:

If your interested in a 78 black with a red interior bucket seats, 400-4 motor, with sun roof (rebuilt), gauge package with teck. Also have a 400 stroker block built 10.1 removed from a wrecked magnum. , a spare 72 8.75 rear end. Some spare GT flares. Body panels were repaired professionally (trunk lower quarter on one side- small patch). Many NOS parts (Grill, front end side pieces, tail lights, emblems.....). bumper holes filled in with studs for mounting. Need painting, gas tank. Located in Denver CO sent PM if interested.

Click to expand...

Hmmm! interesting. And not far away either.