Starting PT Mopar project, need info

[4MuscleMachines]

Well, I got hooked by my 69 Camaro with the LS6 so I decided to sell two Mustangs and start a Cuda/Challenger PT project. One of the members looked over a real nice Barracuda for me (the one with boyds wheels), although I like the paint his parts choice is not really in touch with mine. I want to put a new SRT8 Hemi in there with the 5spd AUTO trans. I have been looking hard for PT suspension parts for 70-71 Cuda and Challengers, anybody know of any sources?
I have narrowed it down to the following pictures. They are all around the same price range +-$10K. The one I really like is the 71 orange Cuda (its a real cuda). The last white challenger pictured is the look I am looking for. Notice the billet 18" oem type wheels, sharp! What in your opinion looks best? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS...Cuda or Challenger? WHERE CAN I FIND THE AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION PARTS?:throw:

[Damn True]

Those 18" OEM lookin wheels are bitchin! It's awful tough to pull off "sleeper" with a Cuda, but that's about as close as you can get.

[ALLFAITH]

Love the 18 in factory look wheels. I think there was a magnum force racing that had different PT type suspension. Do a google search. I am sure the MOPAR people here can give you better advice, but in IMO go for teh factory wheel look.

Brad

[dropit69]

ahh that first one is sweet..where is it for sale at?..ive got a 70 barracuda that is really rough ..but might be gone this weekend..looking for a decent 70-71 to look at...

[Bigblue73]

Okay..Here goes.

That white challenger is way Swwweeeeeeet.....Where is that car from? That is the first 6.1 HEMI that I have seen installed in an E-body. I've heard of a few Charger's being built by Mopar Performance from display at SEMA.

Suspension - Magnum Force Race Cars, Alterkation, Hotchkiss, Just Suspensions

Brakes: Baer, Wilwood, AR Engineering (Adapts Viper Calipers and Huge Mercedes Rotors - all using mopar part numbers) SSBC and Precision Brakes (They are advertisers here) Recommendation - The majority of the brake systems that retro-fit for the E-bodies are designed for 1970 to Mid 1972. In '73 and '74 Chrysler switched to power disc brakes from the factory. Wilwood is the best bet on the later years. If others have kits available - please let the public know and I apologize for the bad info.

Transmissions - Keisler is about the only Mopar specialist if your want to row gears. T-56 and TKO 500 and 600 applications. The 5 speed automatic....interesting choice. Computer controlled.

Engine Management for the HEMI - Painless has a standalone system, that should be out now. I talked with them on the Power Tour in Milwaukee and they said it should have be available by August. I assume it's out now.

6.1 HEMI - have fun trying to get your hands on one. I've been trying for last 2 months to find a wrecked vehicle. I have not tried the factory since I have access to a dealers license for purchasing wrecked cars at auctions. Every car that has come across the block has had extensive front end damage.

Camshafts for the new HEMI - Crane and Hughes Engines.

Chips - JET has a piggy back chip for the 5.7 HEMI, not sure for the 6.1.

Exhaust - TTI - only use these people, they are the best out there.

Rear Suspension - Contact your local chassis builder to adapt DSE parts for mini-tubbing.

Those 18 wheels - Wheel Vintiques or Check the Overhaulin website for the Challenger they did last year. I recall that MHT was cutting them for someone.

People that have done crossed the line: Try www.musclecarrestorations.com (http://www.musclecarrestorations.com/)
They have built a challenger for Ex-NHRA funny car driver Dean Skuza. Nice car with really trick carbon fiber interior parts. Also check out the yellow 'Cuda that is to debut next Spring. Wicked! Another Source - Pure Vision - Steve Strope has the stuff for making a mopar stand out in the crowd.

Sorry for ramblin' on - Great to see another person building mopar tin.

Take Care -

[B Schein]

The pictures of the white challenger are from the Good Guys show in charlotte this weekend. The car has a five speed in it and is incredibly nice car. I am not shure if runs thought I was there when they loading it up in the trailer to go home and they were pushing it to load it up.

I talked to the guys from Everham motorsports who were selling new hemi crate engines at the show and there is no independent controls available yet for the 5 speed overdrive tranys you have to use the computer and wiring from a truck or car to make it work. He said he don’t know of anyone who has been successful yet.

Good luck

[70RT/SE]

I think either one would be great. I have a 70 challenger that I am building. Whatever car you get make sure all the hard to find parts are there.......grillls, trim, mirrors , etc. Price on 71 Cuda grills are out of this world is one example.

As far as the front suspension goes, check out www.firmfeel.com if you plan on running an oem type suspension. I have their UCAs,Stage3 p/s box and their fast ratio arms. Nobody makes anything like a Wayne Due subframe for Mopars. The best out there now is the AlterKation frontend. I would stay away from the Magnum force stuff.

A inexpensive way to get bigger rubber for the back is to put a b-body rear in an e-body with offset hangers. It is a bolt in. Here is a Cuda with a AlterKation and Heidts IRS underneath it which didn't look that difficult to put in.

If you want to spend some money on brakes contact ARengineering and have them make you a kit with some Porsche calipers.

[DarkBuddha]

YOU SOLD THE MUSTANGS???? THE '71 BOSS 351? THE '70 BOSS 302? REALLY??? Wow, you had a couple amazing cars there... I can't believe you just let 'em go to get a Cuda. Don't get me wrong, Cudas are sweet and very "in" right now, so I totally understand. But the Mustangs were totally legit and had real collector value to boot. Just crazy... :poke:

That said, you've got a nice plan for a really sweet and subtle Cuda. Should make for a great driver with those features. Keep us posted.

[MrQuick]

Frank, go for the 71 Cuda, you can always buy a Challenger later...im sure you will.
Im keeping my eye on the 6.1's myself. I will check with the Moparts guys this week on the 6.1L crate engine,rumor has it will be available summer next year.. I beg you, go down to your nearest dealer and drive an SRT8...beat the hell out of it. Its a great car. We have a customer with an SRT Magnum running flowmasters, its a monster. Sounds great.

Suspensions, I looked at the Magnum force ones,pretty nice unit. Took a test drive in a Challenger equipt with the front end and I must say it felt good even at speed.The Altercation set up is nice but I've never seen one close up.

70 RT/SE, what didn't you like about the setup? Like to know what your thought are on this...
The rear I would do a mini tub with 315's or 335's...I personally don't like the Heidts/ Jag based rear...If your gonna do it, go with a Viper IRS unit...The center sections are around $1200 my cost. the suspension parts can be picked up used.
If you don't want to get that far into it a custom link rear suspension can be made up. Really depends on the direction you want to go also if you plan to keep or sell it later. Might be worth more in stock form.

[bnickel]

http://www.evolutionmsport.com is working on a watt's link and they have plans to possibly start doing a three or four link rear as well.

[4MuscleMachines]

ahh that first one is sweet..where is it for sale at? Here is the link. http://www.redlineautosports.com/71cudaorange/index.htm


That white challenger is way Swwweeeeeeet.....Where is that car from? As B Schein stated, its from the Good Guys show.


YOU SOLD THE MUSTANGS???? THE '71 BOSS 351? THE '70 BOSS 302? REALLY??? Wow, you had a couple amazing cars there... I can't believe you just let 'em go to get a Cuda. Not quite my friend, I sold the 65 Mustang and just sold a driver 70 Mach1. I want to hang onto those two cars for a while. The 70 Boss is not done yet!


70 RT/SE, what didn't you like about the setup? Like to know what your thought are on this...
The rear I would do a mini tub with 315's or 335's...I personally don't like the Heidts/ Jag based rear...If your gonna do it, go with a Viper IRS unit...The center sections are around $1200 my cost. the suspension parts can be picked up used.
If you don't want to get that far into it a custom link rear suspension can be made up. Really depends on the direction you want to go also if you plan to keep or sell it later. Might be worth more in stock form. Ahh, wise words from a wise man. The set up I didn't like was the second pic of the 71 Barracuda (with painted gills on the fenders). Not my wheels, NOT MY PRICE at $50k and not even a real Cuda!

I am looking for something with a very nice paint job that I can pluck the drivetrain from, install the SRT8, and bolt-on mod the suspension for a noticeable improvement, nice 18" wheels, seats/gauges, but keep all else close to stock. I really like the first orange Cuda, but somebody beat me to it by one hour. I want to keep it simple but effective and most importantly save money...Mopar tin is EXPENSIVE. I will keep trying for a 71 Cuda since will continue to be the most valuable...You selling yours Vince?

Thanks to everybody for the supportive and positive comments...keep them coming!:smoke:

[MrQuick]

Damn beat and sold hu? that was a nice find since all the hard stuff was there...minus shaker hood.

No,mine is a keeper.nice try sorry. I've been trying to find a nice builder to play with and then but no luck. You going to SEMA this week?

[4MuscleMachines]

6.1 HEMI - have fun trying to get your hands on one. I've been trying for last 2 months to find a wrecked vehicle. I have not tried the factory since I have access to a dealers license for purchasing wrecked cars at auctions. Every car that has come across the block has had extensive front end damage. yes, very difficult to find but not impossible
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOPAR-6-1-L-HEMI-HEADS-INTAKE-CAM-SHORT-BLOCK-SRT8_W0QQitemZ8009024247QQcategoryZ33613QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

This guy below sold it in less than one day.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-300C-6-1-HEMI-SRT8-COMPLETE-DROP-IN_W0QQitemZ8008628755QQcategoryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

Told ya I've been looking! :)

[70RT/SE]

Suspensions, I looked at the Magnum force ones,pretty nice unit. Took a test drive in a Challenger equipt with the front end and I must say it felt good even at speed.The Altercation set up is nice but I've never seen one close up.

70 RT/SE, what didn't you like about the setup? Like to know what your thought are on this...


I don't like the way they mount the coilovers. They use the stock mounting point for the upper mount. Even if you strengthen that area, I have heard people tweaking the front frame rails. Look at the AlterKation and how they mount the coilovers.

[MrQuick]

good point, the BBdart set up has a nicer c/o mount but that could be fixed. I would personally like to see a cage strut mount, and would most likely change it over to that.

Frank, keep your eyes out but beware of warrenty pull outs...you might be buying a grenaded engine. Insist on having it inspected or a witness of its running.

[DarkBuddha]

Not quite my friend, I sold the 65 Mustang and just sold a driver 70 Mach1. I want to hang onto those two cars for a while. The 70 Boss is not done yet!
Good to hear... you had me in a panic. You've got quite a collection apparently, or at least a few more than 4 Muscle Machines, Man. :)