To Swap or not to Swap

[Suave25]

Hey guys

I have this thought that keeps coming back about swapping out my 727 3spd with a 4spd A833. I have 373 gears and will be outputting about 600hp with 640ft of torq. Car is a 1968 Dodge Charger Standard model with AC.

My issue is that I am trying to restore the car as original as possible and I am afraid that if I do the swap it will bring down the actual resell value of the car on day. It orginally came with Matching Numbers 383 727 Auto and already swapping out the engine with a 440.

What do you guys think about the impacts on the cars value later on. And does this also mean that I have to remove the centre console and put a boot?

Thanks

 

[Kern Dog]

It may actually increase the RESALE (Not resell) value.

 

[tnfastback]

Real cars have 3 pedals, but I like Automatics too I would think it makes car more attractive during resale just my opinion. Being a 68 Charger it is a super desirable car to start with. I think if you store all original parts for the car it can always be restored back to matching numbers and therefore changing over wouldn’t be a deal breaker. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

Typically more people are concerned about a matching number engine then the transmission. A 727 can be bought for a couple hundred bucks, the 4 speed, clutch, pedals, shifter can run several thousand. It should be more desirable. I am guessing the value added from the manual transmission will be about the same as the investment to get it installed. It's not going to make you money, but it's not going to lose any $ either...my 2cents.

 

[Budnicks]

stock is stock
#'s matching is #'s matching
everything else is day 2 mods
it's only original once

if you were going to race it I'd say; bad move
it will just be a damn headache

but seems you're not concerned with that
having A/C & all, not mentioning racing etc.

now;
that mod, may not effect the value as much
putting a 440 & a 4 speed, pref. a 18 spline Hemi trans
add; the Dana-60 all 440 4 speed cars had in 68 "from the factory"
(last/hold up to that 600hp & especially the 640ft# of torque)
so it's more correct for a factory type/style org. build
IF you do all that, it'll be a wash probably value wise

unless it's a concourse OEM points restoration

just keep the engine & trans in the corner
& offer them with the car when sold

if you're building it to resale, why bother

That's my $0.25 cents worth,
enjoy

 

[Basket case]

4 speed...you won't regret it

 

[RT SE 440]

It's not a R/T to start with so the value is already down . you've already changed the engine the 4 speed wont affect anything do what you want your car

 

[Suave25]

Real cars have 3 pedals, but I like Automatics too I would think it makes car more attractive during resale just my opinion. Being a 68 Charger it is a super desirable car to start with. I think if you store all original parts for the car it can always be restored back to matching numbers and therefore changing over wouldn’t be a deal breaker. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Thanks man much appreciated

 

[451Mopar]

If your going to sell it, why spend the time and money to do the swap. Since it is no longer numbers matching and modified, there is no telling if it adds or subtracts from the value as that would be what has greater value to the buyer, and we don't know what the buyer is willing to pay for (or subtract from) the value of the car.
In short, if you plan to keep the car, do what makes you happy

 

[Darter6]

Let your creative side free !

 

[Begood03]

I say always go with a 4-speed, but I am biased.

 

[Suave25]

Hey Mopar Brothers...

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.

I intend to keep thos until the day I can't drive anymore. As far as the build goes this car will surpass any RT out there. I am restoring it from the ground up using original MOPAR parts. No cutting corners. My goal is to have it up to 95% Original without any changes apart from going to a 383 2 Barel up to a 440 BB with an orginal 67 HP Casting year match block.

I don't intend to race the car, apart from lighting up the tires ones in a while.

The care is completely rust free and down to bare metal as we speak. I am doing a full Color change and somewhat of a quazy resto mod but keeping it 95% original.

So if going with a 4speed won't effect the resell value then I should maybe go for it. Will post some pics once I can.

Thanks guys

 

[Kern Dog]

Hey Mopar Brothers...

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.

So if going with a 4speed won't effect the resell value then I should maybe go for it. Will post some pics once I can.

Thanks guys

Good for you. Best of luck with the car.
For the record, the term is R E S A L E value, not resell.

 

[Suave25]

Good for you. Best of luck with the car.
For the record, the term is R E S A L E value, not resell.

Yeah sorry I speak and write in 6 different languages and also the Keyboard on my phone has a mind of its own.

 

[Kern Dog]

Keyboard on my phone has a mind of its own.

I hear you on that. I don't like my electronics thinking for me though. I get annoyed with the auto-correct feature sometimes.

 

[70chall440]

My thoughts on this since I have done it more than once. If you want a 4spd then put one in. Personally I do not think it is going to move the resale needle one way or another all that much (but it might). I have a 70 Challenger RT, original 440 AT AC car but NOM and trans, I have thought about putting a 4spd in it many times but elected not to; nothing to do with value and everything to do with what I wanted. I have a 73 Cuda that I did put a 4spd in and am doing a 70 RR that I am putting a 4spd in, so I think I am covered. Where I am going with this is build it how you want to own and drive it. If converting it to a stick makes more sense to you from the financial side, then go with that...

As to your "95%" original, look I am definitely NOT a stock or resto guy (unless it is restomod) but given that you have changed the drive train and are changing the color I'd say you are a long way from original. That said, I "think" what you mean is that you are making it original in the sense that you are not using aftermarket parts that are not similar or the same used in the year/era of manufacture. I am not trying to nitpick your meaning, just looking for clarity.

 

[NoCar2023]

You may resell it for a profit in time.

 

[Slap Stick]

If ya get into old cars looking to profit from them you need to rethink what your goals are.
When you sell the car be honest about your mods and leave the fender tag in place to show what the car was when built.
I don't think it would hurt the value much if any and might help.
It would probably help in selling it.
Good luck and most importantly enjoy it!

 

[steve from staten island]

Im doing a 4 speed conversion very soon. Im spending way more than I should and won't see much of my investment returned when I sell.
I don't care
At my point in life, I finally deserve to have what I want and that's a 4 speed and so a 4 speed it will be.

 

[Budnicks]

Yeah sorry I speak and write in 6 different languages and also the Keyboard on my phone has a mind of its own.

don't worry, he does that grammar & spelling NAZI **** to everyone