Aron
Well-Known Member
This site is amazing, I've already connected with one Mopar Master (Hey Mike!! thanks again!) and gotten tons of great advice on my build. Figure I'll start a photo journal of what I'm doing to keep myself accountable. This is a '68 Charger I've had since 1997. It ran as my off and on driver until 2012 - I decided to pull out the 440 and do a rebuild. Then I had two daughters...the engine is still on the stand and I have systematically torn the rest of the car down - it was always a 20 footer anyway. So here it goes. I am not a mechanic and my math is GARBAGE! Capital "G". I don't have the 70K to have someone else do it, so with a few exceptions (like paint and body and pressing in the rear gears) it's all me. I can do this. That's what I keep telling myself.
Build Specs / Goal: Resto-Mod w/ the 440, 500-550 hp, firm handling, not a drag car or a track ride, just weekends and car shows and the occasional burn out to let me know I'm alive. Five Speed - the swap kit with the Tremec from SST arrives tomorrow.
* Phase 1:
- Replace all suspension - guys at Firm Feel already helping me out, order in place, 10-12 weeks out on delivery. That's fine, I have other projects....
- Replace the Trans. - the 727 is out and sold, the 5 speed Tremec manual arrives tomorrow.
- Sub Frame work: Putting in US Car Tool sub-frame connectors now - holy **** grinding out the damn undercoating is the filthiest thing I may have ever done. I have black sand in every crevice. Also putting in US Car Tool torque boxes front and back - considering radiator support too, but undecided.
- Rear end: 8 3/4" - pull the 472 carrier and have 3.73's or 3.55's put in (the overdrive gear is .64 or so, so the freeway driving should be real nice)
- Brakes : Replace the front discs - - they're pretty trashed, convert the rear drums to disc.
- Gas Tank / EFI ready: pulled the old one - anyone interested in 12 gallons of 8 year old gas (now kerosene)? I may or may not use the old gas to kill the gophers in my lawn. Wife not amused by that plan.
* Phase 2: Body and paint
* Phase 3: Wiring Harness, Interior, Stereo and, of course, the motor and accessories.
Total budget: Uh...well...it was a very rough "I think it will be $35K honey, all told." Did an excel spread sheet during this pandemic...trending towards $45K quick. Hopefully it tops out there.
Love this site, hope everyone is staying safe.
-Aron
Build Specs / Goal: Resto-Mod w/ the 440, 500-550 hp, firm handling, not a drag car or a track ride, just weekends and car shows and the occasional burn out to let me know I'm alive. Five Speed - the swap kit with the Tremec from SST arrives tomorrow.
* Phase 1:
- Replace all suspension - guys at Firm Feel already helping me out, order in place, 10-12 weeks out on delivery. That's fine, I have other projects....
- Replace the Trans. - the 727 is out and sold, the 5 speed Tremec manual arrives tomorrow.
- Sub Frame work: Putting in US Car Tool sub-frame connectors now - holy **** grinding out the damn undercoating is the filthiest thing I may have ever done. I have black sand in every crevice. Also putting in US Car Tool torque boxes front and back - considering radiator support too, but undecided.
- Rear end: 8 3/4" - pull the 472 carrier and have 3.73's or 3.55's put in (the overdrive gear is .64 or so, so the freeway driving should be real nice)
- Brakes : Replace the front discs - - they're pretty trashed, convert the rear drums to disc.
- Gas Tank / EFI ready: pulled the old one - anyone interested in 12 gallons of 8 year old gas (now kerosene)? I may or may not use the old gas to kill the gophers in my lawn. Wife not amused by that plan.
* Phase 2: Body and paint
* Phase 3: Wiring Harness, Interior, Stereo and, of course, the motor and accessories.
Total budget: Uh...well...it was a very rough "I think it will be $35K honey, all told." Did an excel spread sheet during this pandemic...trending towards $45K quick. Hopefully it tops out there.
Love this site, hope everyone is staying safe.
-Aron