restomods vs restorations

[Kern Dog]

Most high dollar restomods are never driven except for articles or showcase in magazines. I am not a fan of those...and some ruin the signature charger features. I'm talking a true enjoyable daily driven restomod whether it be stock appearing or i guess to the extreme.... like my bucket, but cars that handle like modern ones, stop good, are fast and could go on long cruises. i just find it not cool when a 90's cadillac can out perform a restored charger on an autocross course  

Okay, I waited to respond here until I felt compelled to do so.
Great post. I agree to a point, but surprisingly we agree more that I expected. I've seen many of your posts and felt that your screen name implies different than what you seem to do. Cb Restorations implies just that: Restoring. The definition means to return to an original condition. I've seen nothing that you do to be OEM original. This is totally fine, I just see fault with the name being in conflict with the definition. Your fabrication skills seem amazing. You have the guts to take on seriously damaged and neglected cars and I am quite impressed by that.  The very fact that some of your projects start out looking so rough makes it easier to go the route of a "Rest-Mod".
Going back to the CB Restorations...I wish that there were a more satisfying word to describe the process of what you, me and others do. RestMod seems odd as a term, refurbish/Rebuild.....they are odd sounding too. No offense to anyone, just an opinion. 
I see OEM correct restorations on mundane slant six 4 door cars like Dave Waldens Valiant and while it may seem pointless to some, I'm glad they are being done. In a way, the modified cars are erasing history when the color is changed, they have 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.
Here is where I will look like a contradictory hypocrite....I have a red 70 Charger R/T with all sorts of changes, a car that left St Louis in December 1969 as a F8 Green Charger 500 with a 318 and drum brakes. How many guys would have restored mine back to original? We see cars in magazines and at shows with EFI, OD transmissions, sporty seats, 18" wheels, big disc brakes but what about preserving history? I think that while many say that their car wan't a desireable model, there still should be a few of the 2nd tier models out there to remind us that not every Charger was a 440 or Hemi car.
I put my car together the way that I wanted. Nothing permanent has been done. In fact, seeing fabrication skills like CB has done (Others as well) tells me that few things are permanent if you have the determination to fix them. I like a stock appearing body but with nicer paint than original. I like a mostly stock interior. I really prefer to see Chevy engines in Chevys, Ford engines in Fords and a Mopar engine in a Mopar. If one is building a real freak of a car like in Mad Max, sure...toss in any engine that fits and runs well.
My car is nowhere near as nice as some I have seen but I am not finished. Who ever is? I need it to be an ongoing project. I like changes every now and then.

[mike69440]

There are some who want to bring the car back to like new or better than new near original condition, and from a history standpoint, that is a good thing, if you start with a car in great shape.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,121983.0.html

Then there is this, and I must say, this restomod is done right.  A car that will be driven and enjoyed!
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=f6ng4lnuv2q14ouc824u257i70&topic=110212.0

or
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/turning-a-wrecked-charger-srt8-into-a-69-dodge-daytona-clone/

Then there is the obscene!  Just because you can do, I have to ask, should you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts0Z030mucc

Really for this effort, you could save a dozen good Chargers.

[Challenger340]

Discussing restomods like they are the "king" of power is IMO, pure folly.  

While Hellcats, Mustangs, and the newer tech et al do make great power.... it is important to remember they do so from "boost" ?
And specific to the Hellcat engine anyways, while "similar" to it's 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4 bretheren, it is in fact a new design sharing only similar architecture ?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/ten-shades-of-hell-10-things-we-learned-about-the-stonking-707-hp-hellcat-v-8/

The std 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4's, although extremely well running with Computers and EFI,  are just NO more of a panacea for power than can't already be achieved with the legacy Engines ?

I have read on this forum the claims of "magic" Cylinder Head Flow from the new HEMI's beyond the legacy Heads.... very simply NOT TRUE !

My point being, build the Car YOU want and are happy with, because it is after all your Car ?
But do so from a position of knowledge and education, not pie in the sky claims that a "gen 3 HEMI engine swap with computer" will magically and cheaply transform anything that can't already be done ?  It won't !  

[cbrestorations]

Discussing restomods like they are the "king" of power is IMO, pure folly.  

While Hellcats, Mustangs, and the newer tech et al do make great power.... it is important to remember they do so from "boost" ?
And specific to the Hellcat engine anyways, while "similar" to it's 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4 bretheren, it is in fact a new design sharing only similar architecture ?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/ten-shades-of-hell-10-things-we-learned-about-the-stonking-707-hp-hellcat-v-8/

The std 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4's, although extremely well running with Computers and EFI,  are just NO more of a panacea for power than can't already be achieved with the legacy Engines ?

I have read on this forum the claims of "magic" Cylinder Head Flow from the new HEMI's beyond the legacy Heads.... very simply NOT TRUE !

My point being, build the Car YOU want and are happy with, because it is after all your Car ?
But do so from a position of knowledge and education, not pie in the sky claims that a "gen 3 HEMI engine swap with computer" will magically and cheaply transform anything that can't already be done ?  It won't !  

actually the modern hemi heads out flow the old 906 heads by a loooong shot. they modern hemi is smaller and makes 50hp more stock for stock.  all an engine is, is an air pump. the better at air getting in and out the more power. the old 906 heads dont compare...not by a long shot.

take a stock 440 and drop in a good performance cam, makes a little over 400hp. take a stock 6.1 hemi and drop in a good performance cam. now ur tapping 500hp and still a smaller displacement engine. all in cylinder heads and intake. plus it has 6 bolt mains, mahl hyper floating pistons with moly rings, and just a much lighter rotating weight. makes far more power with the same mods. plus alot lighter

[Challenger340]

Discussing restomods like they are the "king" of power is IMO, pure folly.  

While Hellcats, Mustangs, and the newer tech et al do make great power.... it is important to remember they do so from "boost" ?
And specific to the Hellcat engine anyways, while "similar" to it's 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4 bretheren, it is in fact a new design sharing only similar architecture ?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/ten-shades-of-hell-10-things-we-learned-about-the-stonking-707-hp-hellcat-v-8/

The std 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4's, although extremely well running with Computers and EFI,  are just NO more of a panacea for power than can't already be achieved with the legacy Engines ?

I have read on this forum the claims of "magic" Cylinder Head Flow from the new HEMI's beyond the legacy Heads.... very simply NOT TRUE !

My point being, build the Car YOU want and are happy with, because it is after all your Car ?
But do so from a position of knowledge and education, not pie in the sky claims that a "gen 3 HEMI engine swap with computer" will magically and cheaply transform anything that can't already be done ?  It won't !  

actually the modern hemi heads out flow the old 906 heads by a loooong shot. they modern hemi is smaller and makes 50hp more stock for stock.  all an engine is, is an air pump. the better at air getting in and out the more power. the old 906 heads dont compare...not by a long shot.
OutFlow a 906 HEAD ?? I should HOPE so !  But the new HEMI heads do NOT outflow most aftermarket entry level B Engine offerings OOTB little-lown Ported, and let's not forget offerings to 400-450 + cfm ?

take a stock 440 and drop in a good performance cam, makes a little over 400hp. take a stock 6.1 hemi and drop in a good performance cam. now ur tapping 500hp and still a smaller displacement engine. all in cylinder heads and intake. plus it has 6 bolt mains, mahl hyper floating pistons with moly rings, and just a much lighter rotating weight. makes far more power with the same mods. plus alot lighter

Attago... go BUY a new HEMI and do the Cam swap for close to 500hp, and I'll build a 440 with similar parts for the same money using a FLAT TAPPET Hydraulic Cam and top 550 hp with 564 Ft/lbs ? Oh wait... I already have, see here:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,106687.50.html

My point being.... people should build whatever THEY want for THEIR car and enjoy it, if restomods floats somebodys boat ? have at it !
But IMO,
the "new HEMI swap and Computer" is no cheap, easy, nor panacea to anything power-wise that can't already be done with legacy engines. YES, they run great, but EFI is now available for anything anyways ? Not to mention the "swap" is a TON of work cutting Trans tunnels and on and on..... wiring nightmares... BIGGER commitment all around, again here, IMO.

[crj1968]

Most high dollar restomods are never driven except for articles or showcase in magazines. I am not a fan of those...and some ruin the signature charger features. I'm talking a true enjoyable daily driven restomod whether it be stock appearing or i guess to the extreme.... like my bucket, but cars that handle like modern ones, stop good, are fast and could go on long cruises. i just find it not cool when a 90's cadillac can out perform a restored charger on an autocross course  

Okay, I waited to respond here until I felt compelled to do so.
Great post. I agree to a point, but surprisingly we agree more that I expected. I've seen many of your posts and felt that your screen name implies different than what you seem to do. Cb Restorations implies just that: Restoring. The definition means to return to an original condition. I've seen nothing that you do to be OEM original. This is totally fine, I just see fault with the name being in conflict with the definition. Your fabrication skills seem amazing. You have the guts to take on seriously damaged and neglected cars and I am quite impressed by that.  The very fact that some of your projects start out looking so rough makes it easier to go the route of a "Rest-Mod".
Going back to the CB Restorations...I wish that there were a more satisfying word to describe the process of what you, me and others do. RestMod seems odd as a term, refurbish/Rebuild.....they are odd sounding too. No offense to anyone, just an opinion. 
I see OEM correct restorations on mundane slant six 4 door cars like Dave Waldens Valiant and while it may seem pointless to some, I'm glad they are being done. In a way, the modified cars are erasing history when the color is changed, they have 4 wheel disc brakes, etc.
Here is where I will look like a contradictory hypocrite....I have a red 70 Charger R/T with all sorts of changes, a car that left St Louis in December 1969 as a F8 Green Charger 500 with a 318 and drum brakes. How many guys would have restored mine back to original? We see cars in magazines and at shows with EFI, OD transmissions, sporty seats, 18" wheels, big disc brakes but what about preserving history? I think that while many say that their car wan't a desireable model, there still should be a few of the 2nd tier models out there to remind us that not every Charger was a 440 or Hemi car.
I put my car together the way that I wanted. Nothing permanent has been done. In fact, seeing fabrication skills like CB has done (Others as well) tells me that few things are permanent if you have the determination to fix them. I like a stock appearing body but with nicer paint than original. I like a mostly stock interior. I really prefer to see Chevy engines in Chevys, Ford engines in Fords and a Mopar engine in a Mopar. If one is building a real freak of a car like in Mad Max, sure...toss in any engine that fits and runs well.
My car is nowhere near as nice as some I have seen but I am not finished. Who ever is? I need it to be an ongoing project. I like changes every now and then.

Is that your car Kern dog?  All these years and I don't think Ive ever seen it.  I like it !

[Kern Dog]

Thank you... Yeah, that is me. I've posted a few pictures here and there. I never had  red car before so I did a color change when I had this one apart. I have been thinking about taking it apart to change the color again......To the new B5 blue on the new Challengers!

[crj1968]

Looks awesome.  Blue would be great too......since we're talking mods, have you seen the blue on the new WRX's ?

http://i.imgur.com/WK3iOd8.jpg

Looks amazing in person.....

[cdr]

I built my car to drive, very mild 512 cid solid FT cam 248 @ .050, cold AC , A518 overdrive with lock up converter, Dana 60 3.54 , Rack & pinion steering, large front & rear sway bars, 2010 Challenger Drag pack front seats, EFI will be the next project.

[Kern Dog]

Looks awesome.  Blue would be great too......since we're talking mods, have you seen the blue on the new WRX's ?

http://i.imgur.com/WK3iOd8.jpg

Looks amazing in person.....

I have seen those. I agree, great color.
Going back to my "allegiance" to all things Mopar....I like the idea of going with the Challenger/Charger color even though FCA isn't the Chrysler that we remember!
My seats are from a Neon SRT 4.... 

[Derwud]

There is something about a BBM loping through a set of 2 inch headers, Can't be beat!!

[cbrestorations]

Discussing restomods like they are the "king" of power is IMO, pure folly.  

While Hellcats, Mustangs, and the newer tech et al do make great power.... it is important to remember they do so from "boost" ?
And specific to the Hellcat engine anyways, while "similar" to it's 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4 bretheren, it is in fact a new design sharing only similar architecture ?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/ten-shades-of-hell-10-things-we-learned-about-the-stonking-707-hp-hellcat-v-8/

The std 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4's, although extremely well running with Computers and EFI,  are just NO more of a panacea for power than can't already be achieved with the legacy Engines ?

I have read on this forum the claims of "magic" Cylinder Head Flow from the new HEMI's beyond the legacy Heads.... very simply NOT TRUE !

My point being, build the Car YOU want and are happy with, because it is after all your Car ?
But do so from a position of knowledge and education, not pie in the sky claims that a "gen 3 HEMI engine swap with computer" will magically and cheaply transform anything that can't already be done ?  It won't !  

actually the modern hemi heads out flow the old 906 heads by a loooong shot. they modern hemi is smaller and makes 50hp more stock for stock.  all an engine is, is an air pump. the better at air getting in and out the more power. the old 906 heads dont compare...not by a long shot.
OutFlow a 906 HEAD ?? I should HOPE so !  But the new HEMI heads do NOT outflow most aftermarket entry level B Engine offerings OOTB little-lown Ported, and let's not forget offerings to 400-450 + cfm ?

take a stock 440 and drop in a good performance cam, makes a little over 400hp. take a stock 6.1 hemi and drop in a good performance cam. now ur tapping 500hp and still a smaller displacement engine. all in cylinder heads and intake. plus it has 6 bolt mains, mahl hyper floating pistons with moly rings, and just a much lighter rotating weight. makes far more power with the same mods. plus alot lighter

Attago... go BUY a new HEMI and do the Cam swap for close to 500hp, and I'll build a 440 with similar parts for the same money using a FLAT TAPPET Hydraulic Cam and top 550 hp with 564 Ft/lbs ? Oh wait... I already have, see here:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,106687.50.html

My point being.... people should build whatever THEY want for THEIR car and enjoy it, if restomods floats somebodys boat ? have at it !
But IMO,
the "new HEMI swap and Computer" is no cheap, easy, nor panacea to anything power-wise that can't already be done with legacy engines. YES, they run great, but EFI is now available for anything anyways ? Not to mention the "swap" is a TON of work cutting Trans tunnels and on and on..... wiring nightmares... BIGGER commitment all around, again here, IMO.

i said cam swap only...you changed to aluminum ported heads, cam and intake. if thats the case then we can swap to ported hemi 6.1 hemi heads, taller tunnel ram intake and cam then be tapping 600hp and still using stock short block as you said.  of course if you wanna be fair...then stroke the 6.1 hemi to a 440 and yeah...old rb440 is a not even close. although...you can stroke a 440 up over 550ci with big race heads, tall intake, huge roller cam and shoot for the moon but that costs alot of $ and kills practicality. much easier and cheaper to just take a stock 5.7 hemi, boost it to 20psi and make more hp than that big block race motor and only spent half the $. plus if that big motor blows up thats really gonna hurt the wallet vs just dropping in another $500 long block for the 5.7. many of times have i seen a junk yard turbo swap whoop up on a big block race motor and then the turbo car drove home while the big block car got trailer'd.

restomods dont commonly have big race motors, small boosted motors are faster and more practical. no replacement for displacement...except boost lol
big nasty N/A motors do sound bitchin though

[cdr]

as much as I wish I would have gone with a stroked gen3 Hemi, the cost was WAY more than what I built thats in my car, so I drove 80mph,80 miles round trip with AC blowin cold , got to the track turned off the AC & raced 2 HellCats, they both spun & so did I real bad, but I beat both of them, turned my AC on & drove home.

https://youtu.be/-2avRWIxI3A

[Challenger340]

[/quote]

i said cam swap only...you changed to aluminum ported heads, cam and intake.
if thats the case then we can swap to ported hemi 6.1 hemi heads, taller tunnel ram intake and cam then be tapping 600hp and still using stock short block as you said.
I could have more easily just used OOTB TF240's with 40 cfm MORE with NO porting for 330 cfm if targeting 600 hp ? and I just used a dual plane EDDY RPM, NOT a Tunnel Ram ! with a $129 Flat Tappet Cam NOT a Roller ?
    If using a Roller AND a Tunnel Ram I could have EXCEEDED 600hp

of course if you wanna be fair...then stroke the 6.1 hemi to a 440 and yeah...old rb440 is a not even close.
And you would have most probably then exceeded the entire cost of the 440 RB Engine build, just BUYING that 6.1 Stroker Kit all by itself ?
although...you can stroke a 440 up over 550ci with big race heads, tall intake, huge roller cam and shoot for the moon but that costs alot of $ and kills practicality. much easier and cheaper to just take a stock 5.7 hemi, boost it to 20psi
a "stock" 5.7 Hemi ? with Hyper Pistons ? then add 20 psi Boost ?
Let me know how that 20psi Boost works out long term on those "stock" Mahle Hyper Pistons OK ?
Just say'in... there may be a REASON the factory "boosted" Gen 3 Hemi Engines, and others, don't run Hyper Pistons ?
and make more hp than that big block race motor and only spent half the $. plus if that big motor blows up thats really gonna hurt the wallet vs just dropping in another $500 long block for the 5.7. many of times have i seen a junk yard turbo swap whoop up on a big block race motor and then the turbo car drove home while the big block car got trailer'd.
"REAL" BB race motors ? even the just "well built" RB Street Motors ? They just don't very often "blow up", nor get "trailered" home after a street race ? unless of course bubba built and driven ? They are very reliable Engines.

restomods dont commonly have big race motors, small boosted motors are faster and more practical. no replacement for displacement...except boost lol
PROPERLY built for the "boosted" application small motors are GREAT ! Sure they are, I agree 100% !
But the "boosted" Gen 3 Hemi versions are NOT the typical $500 junkyard Gen 3 N/A versions ? hence my point with the folly of expecting a junkyard std Gen 3 version with the "HYPER" pistons as being a prime candidate for 20 psi Boost ?
Even a blind chicken gets the odd kernel of corn.... but it's not IF... but WHEN... those Hypers exit stage BOTTOM !
big nasty N/A motors do sound bitchin though
[/quote]

The Gen 3 Hemi's are great motors, no doubt about it.
My only point being that the simple "junkyard acquisition and swap with Computer/wiring, etc" is not a panacea recipe for instant power and reliability for cost/time and effort required, versus what can be done with properly planned, built and executed legacy Engines.
As with anything, very careful consideration must be given to wants and expectations in the final product.

[cbrestorations]

i said cam swap only...you changed to aluminum ported heads, cam and intake.
if thats the case then we can swap to ported hemi 6.1 hemi heads, taller tunnel ram intake and cam then be tapping 600hp and still using stock short block as you said. 
I could have more easily just used OOTB TF240's with 40 cfm MORE with NO porting for 330 cfm if targeting 600 hp ? and I just used a dual plane EDDY RPM, NOT a Tunnel Ram ! with a $129 Flat Tappet Cam NOT a Roller ?
     If using a Roller AND a Tunnel Ram I could have EXCEEDED 600hp

of course if you wanna be fair...then stroke the 6.1 hemi to a 440 and yeah...old rb440 is a not even close.
And you would have most probably then exceeded the entire cost of the 440 RB Engine build, just BUYING that 6.1 Stroker Kit all by itself ?
although...you can stroke a 440 up over 550ci with big race heads, tall intake, huge roller cam and shoot for the moon but that costs alot of $ and kills practicality. much easier and cheaper to just take a stock 5.7 hemi, boost it to 20psi
a "stock" 5.7 Hemi ? with Hyper Pistons ? then add 20 psi Boost ?
Let me know how that 20psi Boost works out long term on those "stock" Mahle Hyper Pistons OK ?
Just say'in... there may be a REASON the factory "boosted" Gen 3 Hemi Engines, and others, don't run Hyper Pistons ?
and make more hp than that big block race motor and only spent half the $. plus if that big motor blows up thats really gonna hurt the wallet vs just dropping in another $500 long block for the 5.7. many of times have i seen a junk yard turbo swap whoop up on a big block race motor and then the turbo car drove home while the big block car got trailer'd.
"REAL" BB race motors ? even the just "well built" RB Street Motors ? They just don't very often "blow up", nor get "trailered" home after a street race ? unless of course bubba built and driven ? They are very reliable Engines.

restomods dont commonly have big race motors, small boosted motors are faster and more practical. no replacement for displacement...except boost lol
PROPERLY built for the "boosted" application small motors are GREAT ! Sure they are, I agree 100% !
But the "boosted" versions are NOT the typical $500 junkyard Gen 3 N/A version, hence my point with the folly of expecting a junkyard Gen 3 with "HYPER" pistons being a prime candidate for 20 psi Boost ?
Even a blind chicken gets the odd kernel of corn.... but it's not IF... but WHEN... those Hypers exit stage BOTTOM !
big nasty N/A motors do sound bitchin though
[/quote]
[/quote]

i dunno...i have seen alot of high hp junkyard cars making 1000hp and they hold up. one was almost 1100hp on a stock 5.3L lm7 engine with hyper pistons @27psi. ran 8's in the 1/4, just had to replace bearings when the stock soft ones gave out and replaced with h series. that engine was literally a $150 pick and pull engine lol. i cant remember how long it lasted but it was way longer than expected.  heck ive spun stock cast pistons 8,000rpm at 600hp in a circle track car. damn crate engine never blew up and it was only supposed to spin 6500. maybe ive just gotten lucky and a few of my friends but i agree forged internals are a must, i think we just went for a what the hell...lets see lol

on the other hand though, i have had built motors fail in 1 damn lap from a parts failure so 

ive done a few low buck boosted cars. way faster and cheaper than a radical built n/a motor. ill be honest though i love radical n/a sound but then when the turbo spools that sounds bitchin too. too bad we cant have both sounds lol. after dumping alot of money in heads, cam, intake, internals i was getting beat by junkyard boosted cars with duck tape and zip ties holding everything together.

[smithenhiven]

I say restomod as well.  That's what my car is gonna be, or at least on the less extreme end of the spectrum.  I plan to add disc brakes, better suspension, maybe an over drive transmission, things to make the car a more enjoyable driving experience, since the main point of owning this car is to DRIVE it.  I'd also like to add some non-factory cosmetic touches, for instance, my R/T was/is a stripe delete car, I like the rear tail stripe, so I'm adding one.  I've always liked the V21 Hood treatment, I'll might add that as well.

Now all that said, I will likely never add or take away anything from the car that can't easily be reversed.  Certainly no cutting of any kind, just simple bolt on/off parts, that way if the next care taker so decides to revert it to stock, they can easily do so. 

If however I had a car that was a basketcase anyway, sure cut away, and add anything/everything possible to make the car unique.

[Challenger340]

Our old Charger R/T is UN-touched, UN-restored, and UN-rebuilt, so quite obviously it should be left that way to retain best value. I mean even the dam Exhaust System is still original in good shape ?

That said,
and I have driven/ridden in plenty of new tech performance vehicles.

For a big Car, I find our R/T handles adequately(S15 Suspension Pkg), drives very tight & quiet(SE Pkg), and has very pleasing Performance(E86/D32)
NO... it is NOT going to beat any Hellcats through the 1/4 mile.
but it can boil the hides from a standstill(stock wheels/radials) so best feathered until rolling, and chirps again going into 2nd on the auto "hands off" left in 'D' (auto).

I guess what I am saying here.... is that the old R/T is a completely different "genre" or driving experience from any of the newer tech ?

The "drone" from the 4 BBL Carburetor that permeates what is a "roar" from the Engine when a guy hits the loud pedal, is very UNIQUE, and should not be discounted in the experience when all 480 Ft/Lbs Torque are present ?
because things do happen fairly quickly.

This Charger R/T sound track from the Movie Bullitt is pretty darn authentic to what our Charger R/T sounds like, and I would NOT trade THIS experience for anything !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31JgMAHVeg0

No, I would never DRIVE ours like that, just referencing the "sound".

[timmycharger]

Our old Charger R/T is UN-touched, UN-restored, and UN-rebuilt, so quite obviously it should be left that way to retain best value. I mean even the dam Exhaust System is still original in good shape ?

That said,
and I have driven/ridden in plenty of new tech performance vehicles.

For a big Car, I find our R/T handles adequately(S15 Suspension Pkg), drives very tight & quiet(SE Pkg), and has very pleasing Performance(E86/D32)
NO... it is NOT going to beat any Hellcats through the 1/4 mile.
but it can boil the hides from a standstill(stock wheels/radials) so best feathered until rolling, and chirps again going into 2nd on the auto "hands off" left in 'D' (auto).

I guess what I am saying here.... is that the old R/T is a completely different "genre" or driving experience from any of the newer tech ?

The "drone" from the 4 BBL Carburetor that permeates what is a "roar" from the Engine when a guy hits the loud pedal, is very UNIQUE, and should not be discounted, because things DO happen fairly quickly with all 480 Ft/Lbs present ?
This Charger R/T sound track from the Movie Bullitt is pretty darn authentic to what ours sounds like, and I would NOT trade THIS experience for EFI anything !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31JgMAHVeg0

 

Well said!

[Laowho]

Timely post, and encouraging since we fell right outa the starting gate gettin a '70 500 w/ a 440. And look, if you were an original owner who did regular upgrades to a daily driver, it'd be a "restomod." Mostly I'm just gonna echo what KernDog was sayin (I think), that coming from cbrestorations, whose work I've followed, the practicality and performance we can get for the cars we love is fitting if not downright inevitable. (And look at that megasquirt build that kid posted here--friggin amazing.) For our part, and natural it seems, there's a responsibility to give it what it needs to best do what we use it for, a responsibility not just to the car but to our kids when they take it over. In anything else (a house, a business) you'd do the same. Our changes (to EFI and OD) are gonna be moderate but essential, and if we'd had the car from the beginning we'd do the same.

[charger chris]

Nice car Kern Dog

[Kern Dog]

Thank you guys! 

[Rolling_Thunder]

lots of debate out there....    I scored a 6.1L hemi for less cost then a good set of RB heads...     

around 500hp with EFI for around $2000...      cant really complain about it...   

Overall - I saved a lot of money by doing it all myself - having driven both types of cars I could take a restomod every time...      I would also take new gen power   

[garner7555]

Restomod for me no doubt       

[G-man]

As much as I care none for original due to never competing with modern cars...

I would never buy an original R/T and then resto mod it. Just doesn't feel right.

A 383 or 318, no problem. But a matching numbers 440 (or Hemi)

Rather keep looking cause there are other people that would have liked to preserve it.

I believe in thinking about others not just self.

[alfaitalia]

I don't think many of us pro restromod folk meant we would be happy to mod a matching numbers RT or Hemi......but then most of us prob could not afford to buy one to mod anyway!