70 Charger "SRT", 6.1 Hemi + T56

[MikkoV]

Hi

Been working this for years, and now planning to get it finished. So at first, what has been done in those few years :)

First i took whole car apart, and had body, and doors, latches waterblasted to bare metal all around. Have to say, waterblasting is must method for paint and minor rust removal, 2000bar removes pretty much all. Fast and still gentle to metal, panels stay exactly in shape unlike in sandblasting, and result is clean and like new, unlike in sodablasting. Worse rusten areas that didn´t need to be welded were sandbalsted and/or acid treated.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107033&stc=1

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15595310393_14e2107a0a_b-1.jpg

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15592758504_ba47e3627e_b-1.jpg

Then i did seamwelded (?) whole body to add body stiffness, and painted interior and underbody.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/16029050809_97d9ae1050_b-1.jpg

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107034&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107035&stc=1

Then off to paintshop, this was in pretty decent shape and not much rust repairs needed, painshop did those, patched front floors. Changed rear valance panel and rear lower quarters, and rear window frames lowers. And it sprayed beatiful black with few layers of clearcoat.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107036&stc=1

I sandblasted front and rear axles and had these powdercoated. Rebuided rear axle and added Auburn lsd, and axles with new joints and urethane bushings, and fast ratio pitman and idler arm.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107037&stc=1

Then few years pause, consentrated to drifting as motorsport and builded couple of racecars. At meantimes painted and restored smaller parts and pieces for Charger.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107039&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107040&stc=1

And "restored" other Charger meant for more "dailydriver", but that was fast project compared to this.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107038&stc=1

And slowly started putting this one together. But mainly just collectted part and bits to it.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107041&stc=1


To be continued...

[LXCam]

Absolutely gorgeous!. Who built or is building the motor and which controller are you using?.

[MikkoV]

If something done to engine, me.

It´s 2007 engine, from 30tml Jeep Grand Cherokee. I´m trying to decide that do i keep it bone stock, or stick mild cam in it? Does 6.1 gain how much about cam?

Gearbox is from 2000 Ls1 Camaro, i did rebuild it with stage 2 kit + billet keys and bronze shifter pads for 1-6 gears, and viper 3-4 shift fork.

Quiscktime bellhousing to attach it to Hemi, and Ram 9.5" twin clutch meant for new Challenger.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/16163511622_56090d2890_b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/16138212756_3785f72ff4_b-1.jpg

Engine management:
I´m from Finland, i´ve used Finnish ecu called Tatech in my previous projects, are familiar with that and bought it for this too, needs offcourse custom harness, but jeep harness can be used as base so pretty simple. Uses engines original sensors, just need drive-by-wire throttle body, and probably i don´t use MAF, just MAP. It has sequential 8 cylinder injection and ignition control, wideband lambda and autotune, 2 programmable digital outputs for fan etc control, controls warning lights, fuel pumps, rpm signal and egt meter. Pretty cheap and good one.

[MikkoV]

Currently i´m fiiting the engine and gearbox.
Engine is pretty tight (impossible?) fit with steering box and drivers side exhaust manifold, any ideas which location should i move engine? If i remove A/C compressor, i can take it further back, but plannig to hav A/C on car so...

It´s now about 1.5" on right of centerline and oilpan at k-frame level. How far back are these usually mounted? Transmission tunnel seems to need quite a bit modification for T56, but that´s not big problem.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15541672304_8e7290349f_b-1.jpg

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I´ve also been playing around with idea of fabricating bolt on subframe add-on for steering rack, that would solve issue with steeringbox, and couple other problems too, like handling...

[Munssey]

Looking VERY nice! Keep up the nice progress and updates.

[Cop Magnet]

That car looks amazing in black every time I see one. I have been determined not to go with black again, but DAMN!

[MikkoV]

Added few pics and bit of text to first post...

Been fitting and planning engine&trans mounting.

I did cut away exhaus flanges off from Jeep headers, those fit between torsion bars. But not in any way with steering box, or atleast engine needs to sit really high.
Then i did plan bit of mounting my custon rack&pinion setup, rack could be fairly easy mounted back of k-member, but routing steering shaft to steering column is not. Headers come to way. Could be done with 1:1 ratio steering box that rotates direction 90 degrees. (Done that with mine 2 gen Camaros rack&pinion setup) Or by using multiple U-joints to clear header. But not quite roadlegal setup round here.

Mounting rack frontside of K-member seems also be possible, swapping spindles from side to side would place steering arms from back to front. And by cutting K-member rack should into k-member, embed to it? or how do you say it, but... I´ll get back to this later maybe?

For now i ordered 1 5/8 conversion headers from Dougs headers, those were on sale and shipping was reasonable. Should fit with original subframe and steering box.

Also have been planning brake setup. Got good deal on used Brembo calibers from 300C /(Magnum) SRT8, so SRT theme continues:) And ordered new 14" grooved discs from same car.

For rear i got 12,6" vented discs from 300C also.
I noticed earlier that 300c disc fits quite nicely to Charger hub when did brake job for wifes has-been 300C CRD.
Rear calibers? Dunno yet, maybe VW Touareg / Multivan ATE calibers? Quite reasonable priced and meant for disc that sized, and has handbrake in caliber.

[andrewb70]

Cool project. I can't but love these cars since I was a kid and was watching Duke of Hazzard.

Andrew

[72BBSwinger]

Mikko, very nice build my Finnish brother! I am doing same thing to my Dart. I recommend a Borgeson steering box for your car for first mod before you commit to engine mounting just yet. These are a very compact gear box and may be the only modification needed for clearance but I do not know FOR SURE if you still would not need TTI headers. Typically the Gen III Hemi swaps sit in engine compartment with 1.5" offset to passenger side from center of frame rails. Also all SRT8 exhaust manifolds were designed with a passenger side starter location so keep that in mind also, but the Jeep ones have been best for old car swaps from what I have read.

[MMcMasters]

absolutely cool!!! I'm with Andrew on loving Chargers and being influenced as a kid by the Dukes of Hazzard.

Mike

[Zapper]

Added few pics and bit of text to first post...

Been fitting and planning engine&trans mounting.

I did cut away exhaus flanges off from Jeep headers, those fit between torsion bars. But not in any way with steering box, or atleast engine needs to sit really high.
Then i did plan bit of mounting my custon rack&pinion setup, rack could be fairly easy mounted back of k-member, but routing steering shaft to steering column is not. Headers come to way. Could be done with 1:1 ratio steering box that rotates direction 90 degrees. (Done that with mine 2 gen Camaros rack&pinion setup) Or by using multiple U-joints to clear header. But not quite roadlegal setup round here.

Mounting rack frontside of K-member seems also be possible, swapping spindles from side to side would place steering arms from back to front. And by cutting K-member rack should into k-member, embed to it? or how do you say it, but... I´ll get back to this later maybe?

For now i ordered 1 5/8 conversion headers from Dougs headers, those were on sale and shipping was reasonable. Should fit with original subframe and steering box.

Also have been planning brake setup. Got good deal on used Brembo calibers from 300C /(Magnum) SRT8, so SRT theme continues:) And ordered new 14" grooved discs from same car.

For rear i got 12,6" vented discs from 300C also.
I noticed earlier that 300c disc fits quite nicely to Charger hub when did brake job for wifes has-been 300C CRD.
Rear calibers? Dunno yet, maybe VW Touareg / Multivan ATE calibers? Quite reasonable priced and meant for disc that sized, and has handbrake in caliber.

Great build!

I just picked up a 2013 5.7L Hemi and 6SPD for my '68 and will be installing it right after i get done with my Camaro

That's not the stance below...just mocking up the 345's....will be on RideTech AirRide

[RMonte]

Are you going to use the mopar power steering pump or switch it out for a GM?? I have read about the mopar ones having too much pressure and was curious what your plans are.

[MikkoV]

Plans are to use Mopar pump and lower pressure to right level.

I did bent drivers side header a bit to make descent clearance to torsion bars. Good news that seems to with fit normal style starter and fast ratio pitman&idler arm. In TTi instructon say that dont fit with them.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/16132955097_0204522262_b-1.jpg

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Engine mounts pretty much done, cutted Jeep mounts to right height and added bit of metal

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15696384784_857f701ce0_b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15698927933_7b21a02192_b-1.jpg


And one problem / question?

Can anyone tell, what is pinion angle in Charger, assuming that car is in level measured from sills? 8 3/4 rear end, leafs springs.

My car is on 2 pillar lift, so measuring that is bit of pain.

[MikkoV]

Bit of progress, gearbox tunnel quite ready, still smoothing and filler, and paint. But next, gearbox mount.

Btw. does everyone sees 4 pics below, im not quite sure of my flickr settings...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15768412644_de488e0f80_b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/15770851213_47d2182ce7_b-1.jpg

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Rearside of tunnel isn´t that pretty when looking inside of car but that will be under center console so who cares...

[MikkoV]

Little progress, trans tunnel ready for paint. Tranmission mount done and ready for paint. Engine and trans of, hopefully final time. And back in by the end of next week :)

Any hintś what is wise to assemble before engine and transmission go back in. Fuel and brake lines. What else, i have to get Charger off from my 2-pillar pretty soon. My wife arranged bit of sideproject for me, rolled over our family transporter Bmw, need to fix that. And also rebuilding my drift Camaros engine, so keeping busy.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/16235272097_6a33b385ee_b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/15798588153_7ec7327e34_b-1.jpg

[MikkoV]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/16249530370_f75710d056_b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/16249279688_89dc8c1dc2_b-1.jpg


Transtunnel painted. Epoxy primer and 2K polyurethane paint.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/15816874323_c6fe28f505_b-1.jpg


Also changed timing cover for engine, original was cracked in crash. Sourced one from ebay. Oli filter neck was also broken so opened two connection rod caps and checked bearings, should be first things that damage if engine has run without oil pressure, all like new so back together.


One question related to this. Ordered 4 connection rod bolts because of this, these are torqued to yield. Part number has changed and bolt design also. New bolts are 2gram lighter than original, so bottom end balance is now 8 gram of from factory balance. Should i worry about this?


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/16432429031_29e8fc6c07_b-1.jpg

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Sick build...you drift a 2nd gen camaro? Nice!

[MikkoV]

Sick build...you drift a 2nd gen camaro? Nice!

Yes i do, there has been videos of it in this forum also.

Take a peek if interested.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6hSRROk10

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