As with many builds, you need to iron out the bugs... Again, good looking car...but heck.. and yes, one more critical comment that has been already stated.. Want to go fast with new tech? "Why didntcha put in a New Generation Hemi? I'm sorry...I just don't get it But hey...it's your car Kind of like having the "Hottest Gal at the party...you know...sexy, asian...super exotic looking...tall and lithe, but when you get her home...she has an 8" dick"
Addendum: Great car and congratulations on the "build" I'm confused but that is your car...it's all cool....
Some people do not understand Loyalty. OK you are happy don't push it on others looking for affirmation, tell it to the Chevy Crowd instead.
All of the guys that are giving this guy a a hard time wouldn't have been welcome in any old timer hot rod group. Hot rodding is about trying different things and making something that is your own. In my opinion it shows how immature you are and I'm guessing that most are still kids that just don't get it !!! It really isn't sacrilegious to put a different brand motor in a Mopar. I've been driving Mopars for 50 years and they really are only cars you know
Kern, an LS swap isn’t any different than putting aftermarket suspension or wheels on a car. Remember the 90’s when everyone and their brother swapped Corvette suspensions into everything under the sun? Even Mopars! Non-original parts are non-original no matter what they are. I have two non-original turbos hanging underneath mine and I hacked the original rallye dash up for my non-original EFI dash. There’s not one original mopar part on my engine... not even a single bolt! Look at the Hate Tank roadrunner.... BBC power but still a cool car!
Have to disagree. I feel the engine even if in architecture only is a big part of a vehicles identity. Your hemi for example, even if not a single part original still at a glance can be identified by many, even, non 'car people'. There are as this thread shows, far easier and cheaper options so why go through the trouble otherwise?
With all this comments we probably miss the opportunity to check this guy restoration, and a new young member, we need this kind of participation here, we may disagree on the engine choice but is undeniable that for a young boy this car is an attractive car , we need the young people to continue this hobby, we should better encourage him to keep going, beside, this cars are what they are, merely toys for grown up men, i disagree too in the engine choice but I love to see how he's moving forward with this.
I agree, with others it's your car, do whatever blows your skirt up but with all the great engine choices out there you go with a GM LS platform It's like everyone else is all doing, in all kinds of builds (follow the trendy BS) it's not something new or fresh or even different don't get me wrong I think they make great power they are plentiful & less expensive to build but in such an Iconic Car as a 69 Charger the car does appear really nice to each their own, I don't have to agree with it I just don't think it's a good choice But; I didn't pay for it either
Couldn't agree more! I go to a Mopar show and walk right past every "correct" restoration at the show... I respect the time, money and work put into them but it's like looking at modular homes, cookie cutter cars... same ol, same ol boring cars. I may not agree with the LS but I'm 100% behind customizing and making them your own, enjoy the build and please do share. As for the haters, if they have any dignity, now that they've voiced their opinion maybe they'll move along.
Wow - there are some brutal people on this forum... let's all remember people... his car - his build. So what if he dropped an LS engine in his car? All you guys are raving about swapping in a Tremec or an A41 auto into your mopars... A41 is a GM auto trans... Swapping an LS is just a pragmatic decision - cheap and easy to find. I am in socal and can throw a rock and hit a <$1000 LS - even the larger 6.0. I can't even find a decent 5.7L Hemi core for <$2500... then add in the limited PCM options and the more expensive swap parts... The LS has been scienced out and has HUGE support that Gen III hemis still don't have Would I do it? no. Am I going to chastise someone for how they build their car? nope.
Actually, I saw an LS in a 68 Charger that was the movie car from Fast and Furious several years ago at a Hot Rod show in Pittsburgh. Being a Charger owner myself, I was a bit taken back. But when the people at the exhibit explained that it was easier to maintain, and replace if needed. Made sense to me since Chey enginges are a dime a dozen, and B/RB not so much. I applaud you work and ingenuity. Don't let some of these old farts discourage you. Good work kid. And welcome.
This. I'll never get the purist stance on cars. I get where it's coming from but I'll never really understand the need for such purity. Many of the Mopar purists rival the air-cooled Porsche folks in this respect. Among the car groups I'm in it's almost always the Mopar guys that take it farthest. You want to keep your car all Mopar? Fine. But don't hate on everyone who dares stray from your holy path. Let people enjoy things and stop gate-keeping the hobby. People say they're disappointed that more of our generation (millennials and gen x) don't pick up a wrench but when we do and it's not to your tastes all you do is degrade our work. I wouldn't LS swap a Mopar but I see no reason to look down upon someone who does, specially when done well (as appears to be the case here). Keep on motoring Pritchert. That's a sweet ride you've got there. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
It could be worse.....Id rather see a Chevy (or Merc or BMW or Cummins....whatever) engine in a Charger than a Mopar engined one with the body modified...you cant beat perfection!....Very few Chargers with modded bodied are an improvement to my eye. In the future that motor could be torn out and a 605 all alloy Hemi with a 8-71 on the top might be slid in there (still no Mopar parts again but most on here would see that as fine!!!....Hmmmmm.).....much easier to do that (and you would have the LS to sell to part recoup costs) than it is to put a body back to stock. Go for it son.....and hopefully members wont frighten you away.
