**1970 Dodge Charger STUDENT build!!! matching numbers! (teacher posting)**

[HawkRod]

Do you know if a bench from a 68 cornet would have similar internals?

I don't think a 68 has provisions for head rests like the 70 does.

 

[Coelacanth]

What a great project and teaching vintage muscle and restoration of an iconic car to young kids! I'll go out on a limb when it comes to the engine suggestions and say "why not buy and build a 383?" They're cheaper and much easier to come by than 440's are...and it's a big block too! I'm not a fan of swapping in a modern Hemi, though. Teach these kids how to tune a carburetor.

 

[Kern Dog]

Yeah, a 383 is cheaper than a 440 but costs the same to build while making less power when you're done. A difference of a couple hundred bucks on initial purchase is worth it to me.

 

[SpartanGarage]

What a great project and teaching vintage muscle and restoration of an iconic car to young kids! I'll go out on a limb when it comes to the engine suggestions and say "why not buy and build a 383?" They're cheaper and much easier to come by than 440's are...and it's a big block too! I'm not a fan of swapping in a modern Hemi, though. Teach these kids how to tune a carburetor.

We are building the 318 to have 400-450 horses!!!

 

[Kern Dog]

It would be nice to get more than just a slight trickle of updates on this.

 

[SpartanGarage]

So updates that I can type out:

Transmission: A904. Reassembling this week and will be painted after clearances are verified. New steels and clutches, new bands, and thrust washers, valve body was degreased and reassembled. Deep pan is new from summit racing. I'll have more pictures for this later.

Engine: Is currently being machined in Memphis NY at TBR racing. Its getting .030 over, with aluminum cylinder heads, and then we will have it back in classroom as soon as the push rods are verified (have to be measured).

Interior: finishing up headliner, although its out at paint right now. still in search for a seat back for the springs and metal pieces to finish ours, rear seats are covered, sound deadening is in. roof insulation is in. Students voted (this is killing me) for a Sniper EFI Standalone 12.3 digital Dash.... I was pushing them for original. I still have it. Our engineering students are currently making a dash piece from the original design to accept this new dash but still awaiting on the CAD stuff to come through.

Still need to decide on: Carb or EFI.

Joe G from Pypes Exhaust has put through to donate the exhaust for the car.

Thoughts on Headers? TTi or another brand?

Looking into CVF racing pulley kit to add modern A/C

Rick Farr and John Price from Old Air Products are in process of donating the A/C we are putting into this 1970 Dodge charger.

Students voted for 18 inch american racing black spoked with polish lip wheels
running 255/40R18 in front
running 295/35R18 in rear.

Vehicle came with Summit racing disc brake conversion kit, so that is just awaiting the lines that we just got in from FineLines.

which also leaves in question the rear. I believe it to be 8 1/4 rear odd to me because I thought was supposed to be 8 3/4 rear or Dana 60.

Any input on above would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Kern Dog]

There were no Dana 60s with the 318 or 383 engines. The Dana was only available with the 440 4 speed or Hemi cars, from what I recall.
The 8 1/4 was phased in late in the 1969 model year for slant six, 318 and 383 2 barrel cars.

 

[Derwud]

I am a little late to the game and don't know if you are getting a price break on the Engine parts and machine work, but for what you are spending, go Gen 3 Hemi..

Always got F.I. and I would suggest Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4..

 

[Kern Dog]

Gen 3?

You're at $4000 or more just to pay for the mounts, headers, a fuel system and stand alone computer NOT including the engine itself.

 

[SpartanGarage]

Some pictures. Can’t wait for color!

 

[DeltaV]

We are building the 318 to have 400-450 horses!!!

That's a bunch!
Subframe connectors were added?

Transmission: A904. Reassembling this week and will be painted after clearances are verified. New steels and clutches, new bands, and thrust washers, valve body was degreased and reassembled. Deep pan is new from summit racing. I'll have more pictures for this later.

Torque converter made by; and specs?
Shift kit too?
Transmission cooler?

Joe G from Pypes Exhaust has put through to donate the exhaust for the car.

Nice! 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" pipes?

I believe it to be 8 1/4 rear

Adding a Sure-Grip?
Which gear ratio?

***
FWIW, I would go with EFI instead of carb.

***
Looks great. Lots of progress too!

 

[SpartanGarage]

That's a bunch!
Subframe connectors were added?



Torque converter made by; and specs?
Shift kit too?
Transmission cooler?



Nice! 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" pipes?



Adding a Sure-Grip?
Which gear ratio?

***
FWIW, I would go with EFI instead of carb.

***
Looks great. Lots of progress too!

Looking for recommendations on a torque converter.
Will also have a transmission cooler
Will have a cvf racing pulley kit
2.5 pipes I do believe
Believe currently a 2.76 set of gears.

 

[Kern Dog]

If it is an 8 1/4" axle, the closest to that is a 2.71 gear.
Any 318 that makes over 400 HP is doing it with RPM, not at idle, not at mid range, I'm talking a high rpm engine. It will not have much for throttle response at low speeds. A 440 making 400 HP will be a LOT stronger with torque and with that, even a stock converter and the 2.71 gear would work okay. Not an ideal setup but the torque would crutch the imperfect combination.
To get the car moving with a peaky engine like a 400 HP 318, you'll need a higher stall converter and much deeper axle gearing. I would never build a car this heavy with a 318 for street use, heck, even for race. You'll need at least a 3000 stall converter and 3.91 or deeper gears to get it moving.
The engine and a high stall converter will be an absolute slug with that 2.71 axle ratio. I'm talking maybe a high 16 second car. It will be sluggish at low speeds and get really poor fuel economy.
Sorry, man.
It isn't too late to make some changes.

 

[Don Frelier]

More CI: 408

 

[Coelacanth]

If you want a mild-mannered Charger that'll get compliments, build it around a 318. But if you want a Charger that'll perform, I agree that you're aiming your dollars in the wrong direction if your platform is a 318.

 

[Kern Dog]

More CI: 408

Fellow FBBO buddy @CoronetDarter built a 5.9/408 for this car:

That car S-C-R-A-M-S ! holy crap....what an improvement over the MP crate 360/380 it had before.
Unfortunately, it was not a cheap build. Trick Flow heads, Hughes cam, PRW rockers and other goodies made it spendy but worth it if it is in your budget.

 

[ckessel]

So updates that I can type out:

Transmission: A904. Reassembling this week and will be painted after clearances are verified. New steels and clutches, new bands, and thrust washers, valve body was degreased and reassembled. Deep pan is new from summit racing. I'll have more pictures for this later.

Engine: Is currently being machined in Memphis NY at TBR racing. Its getting .030 over, with aluminum cylinder heads, and then we will have it back in classroom as soon as the push rods are verified (have to be measured).

Interior: finishing up headliner, although its out at paint right now. still in search for a seat back for the springs and metal pieces to finish ours, rear seats are covered, sound deadening is in. roof insulation is in. Students voted (this is killing me) for a Sniper EFI Standalone 12.3 digital Dash.... I was pushing them for original. I still have it. Our engineering students are currently making a dash piece from the original design to accept this new dash but still awaiting on the CAD stuff to come through.

Still need to decide on: Carb or EFI.

Joe G from Pypes Exhaust has put through to donate the exhaust for the car.

Thoughts on Headers? TTi or another brand?

Looking into CVF racing pulley kit to add modern A/C

Rick Farr and John Price from Old Air Products are in process of donating the A/C we are putting into this 1970 Dodge charger.

Students voted for 18 inch american racing black spoked with polish lip wheels
running 255/40R18 in front
running 295/35R18 in rear.

Vehicle came with Summit racing disc brake conversion kit, so that is just awaiting the lines that we just got in from FineLines.

which also leaves in question the rear. I believe it to be 8 1/4 rear odd to me because I thought was supposed to be 8 3/4 rear or Dana 60.

Any input on above would be greatly appreciated!

TTI for the headers gets my vote.

 

[Derwud]

Gen 3?

View attachment 1962599

You're at $4000 or more just to pay for the mounts, headers, a fuel system and stand alone computer NOT including the engine itself.

After what I paid for my rebuild, I could have had 3 Gen 3 engine swaps.. So yeah, seeing what it costs to "Rebuild a 318 or Build a Stroker Small Block" the Gen 3 might be a better choice, especially if you are going to make it a give away.