1983 Charger Question

[1981gMachine]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.  Nothing seems to fit for my question.  Ok, I'm looking for a good forum, like Nastyz28 that I'm from, to get information on the 83 Charger.  I have a mint Shelby Charger and wanted useful tech articles on brake upgrades, motor upgrades, suspension, etc...

Is this the right forum, or is this just for the old chargers?

Thanks for putting up with this question

[SirNik73]

hey, Welcome. you are kinda in the wrong forum... i say kinda because there is very little tech info about your car here. but here you will find some very smart people. I know there is one guy here with a Shelby. but most of the guys have 66-74 chargers. I personaly like the littke Shelby and hope you stick around.

this is the forum with the tech info
http://www.turbododge.com/forums/

Hope that helps

Nik

[1981gMachine]

Thanks, I spend too much time on my Camaro that I've never really researched upgrades for this car.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

My first car was a 83' Charger 2.2. 

[SirNik73]

my toyota got stolen 2 years ago and i was looking for another 4 banger to replace it. i almost got a shelby, but i found the same toyota i had before for only 80 bucks.. and being cheap i bought the toyota... still kinda wish i would have gotten the shelby they look like fun cars.

[1981gMachine]

For being stock, it handles really good.  It's a quick car, fun to drive.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

My 2.2 was quick. That thing could smoke the front tires ! My brother bought it new from the dealer. Those Shelby's are similar. I really like both those cars.

[Ghoste]

I had an 83 back in the 80's, but it wasn't a Shelby just the regular 2.2 non turbo.  It was still a fun little car.  There may be a website for the SDAC (Shelby Dodge Automobile Club, I think) but I'm not sure.  The other option would be too force all the other Omnicharger fans onto this site and then you could play here too.  Then the rest of us would have to open our minds and accept the discochargers and creederchargers too.  I'm as guilty as anyone of only showing interest in the 66-74's but the site does indicate "all" Charger models, or at least implies as much.

[Brock Samson]

more info here, and try their search function when ya get there..
this site is and should be for all CHARGERS!!   

  http://www.allpar.com/omni/turismo.html

[bordin34]

Except the New ones.

[Ghoste]

I'm not sure I agree.  I hate them.  I think they are an attrociously ugly car and a marketing kick in the cajones from where I stand, but it still wears the nameplate, they come from the remnants of the same company, they PERFORM like a Charger and they are the Dodge flagship (take that Viper drivers).  I hate them but I think we have to be open minded and open armed where they are concerned.  Just my opinion though.

[Brock Samson]

Troy and i were discussing this last night and i totally agree with him, we don't think anyone should be turned away or insulted...
(and that includes Cody) anyone remember that new member who came on here with a new black '06 R/T and also owned a matching '67 and he lasted all of three posts before he was turned away by some member's sanctimonious holier then thou rude comments...
The New Charger Is a reality, I see a dozen every day and though they may not be "Two Door Hard Tops" or have hidden headlights
I'd take a B-3 Super Bee straight to the upholstery shop! 

[Ghoste]

Ragging on Cody is another of my sins but I will stand up and say he's withstood the baptism of fire and more than earned a spot in our hall of fame.
Truth be told, I'm just a 45 year old version of our Bronzy.  (how does that go again, it's no longer a problem if you can admit it?  )

[Brock Samson]

    actually, i think it's "you don't find the first step, it finds you"...

[1981gMachine]

Oh, my buddy has a mint 68 Charger, all matching numbers.  I don't have better pics of it cuz it was Jan when i took them and his car was in the garage.  Couldn't back it out either cuz the Mustang was in the driveway but man, that car sounded sweet.

[Charger74]

Looks good.  And stay around.  There is some useful information sometimes on those 2.2.  They may have not been the best, but they held their own at a time when only Mustang and camaros were around.

[Rocky]

www.forwardmotioninc.com  has alot of parts for the 2.2/2.5 cars.

[deputycrawford]

     I am starting to look for a four banger car for work. I am going to Egay and other sites to look now. Good idea.

[red72chrgr]

I agree ALL Chargers should be welcome with just one exception and that is owners of one particular year or whatever don't try to "take over" the site. 1981gMachine, I noticed the plates on your friends car seem to be Ohio. If they are, I believe our "fearless" leader Troy is from Ohio.

[1981gMachine]

Thanks for the help, here are some pics of my Maro while I'm at it.

[Ghoste]

Obviously there has been a little money spent on the Chevy.  Are you going to keep it after the 4 cylinder runs a quicker 1/4 mile? 

[1981gMachine]

The Camaro isn't done yet.  Gonna tear it down and build it from scratch.  In the end it's either gonna have a 454BB procharged or 427SB procharged.  Possibly a LSX block procharged, still trying to decide.  So I doubt it will keep up but I found a nice sit to build 500hp 2.2 motors.  So it just mat beat the maro...

[41husk]

My first new car was an 83 Charger.  Theres a 83 plymouth Turismo, the same exact car except it says Turismo and plymouth and mine said Dodge and Charger, lots of memories in that baby.  Oh yeh! welcome to the site and stick around.

[71charger_fan]

I had an '83 Shelby Charger that I bought new in July '83. I kept it for 20 years. I wish I still had it. The front floors were rust problems in those.

[Ghoste]

I didn't have mine long enough for rust problems to crop up.  It was retired from service with a blown engine that was many miles out of warranty.   They seem to be another of those cars that used to be everywhere and today are never spotted at all.

[84shelby]

              Good to hear from an other Shelby owner.

               I have owned mine 23 years and within the past month

               retired my 84 from daily driver status  with 315,000 miles on the clock.

                Cant bring my self to part with it though, with all the memories.

                 good luck with yours   it looks super clean. 

                    It is suprising sometimes the comments and turned heads
                     
                    a Shelby charger will get.

[71charger_fan]

I just got an e-mail from the guy that bought my '83, he's moving to a smaller place and wants to know if I want it back. Assuming he hasn't trashed it over the last four and a half years, hell yes I want it back. I've been kicking myself for selling it. Now's my chance to make things right.

[Ghoste]

And with the price of gas right now...

[71charger_fan]

I live overseas most of the year. Whatever gas costs when I'm home, I'm paying it because I'm not going to not drive my Charger.

[hemihead]

I had an 85 Shelby Turbo flavor . Santa Fe Blue . It was a Camaro killer . I miss that car . 

[andy74]

id like to find a 2.2 hatchback,even a non turbo for a daily driver,i havent had a daily of my own other than the charger for years,always drove a company car-my bud in high school had a turismo,loved that little econo box!,welcome aboard


the only one ive never liked on this site was that mustang kid,for what its worth!

[moparstuart]

  I have a 87 glhs shelby charger 2.2 intercooled # 536  love this car owned it since 89.  42k on it now , great little goes like hell shelby.

[TruckDriver]

I owned 4 of these cars over the years. I loved the black turbo '86 I had. Not only a Camaro and Mustang killer. I got a few Vettes too.

[moparstuart]

I owned 4 of these cars over the years. I loved the black turbo '86 I had. Not only a Camaro and Mustang killer. I got a few Vettes too.

me too before I took the hot computer back out !   

[71_Charger_R/T]

I've got an old "mods" book by Direct Connection That was used back in the day.  Here's my old '83 Shelby (Fun car!)

[kab69440]

I can't fit in the late model Chargers, but I loved every one of my 11 G-body Daytonas. The only thing I don't miss about the turbo 2.2/2.5 cars is changing head gaskets twice per year. My poor '91 is coming apart at the seams. Literally. It was retired because of years of abuse down the rutted-axx Morrow County cowpaths that pass for roads. If I could find a straight, rust-free 87-91 T-roof shell, it would be headed toward resurrection. Anyone coming up from down south and willing to drag one with them?

[71charger_fan]

I just found out he never even processed the title or put it on the road (legally). After almost five years, it's still titled in my name. It's fate. Now I have to wait until summer to see it again.

[71_Charger_R/T]

I can't fit in the late model Chargers, but I loved every one of my 11 G-body Daytonas. The only thing I don't miss about the turbo 2.2/2.5 cars is changing head gaskets twice per year. My poor '91 is coming apart at the seams. Literally. It was retired because of years of abuse down the rutted-axx Morrow County cowpaths that pass for roads. If I could find a straight, rust-free 87-91 T-roof shell, it would be headed toward resurrection. Anyone coming up from down south and willing to drag one with them?

My  son may be getting tired of his '86 Lazer (actually an '89 Daytona body with 86 tail , nose and T- top we grafted on) If you are really interested let me know and I can ask if he's serious about parting with it.

[71charger_fan]

I just brought my original '83 home yesterday. I drove it 200 miles over the mountains from Clarksburg, WV. It still pulls the hills with no problem.

[moparstuart]

I can't fit in the late model Chargers, but I loved every one of my 11 G-body Daytonas. The only thing I don't miss about the turbo 2.2/2.5 cars is changing head gaskets twice per year. My poor '91 is coming apart at the seams. Literally. It was retired because of years of abuse down the rutted-axx Morrow County cowpaths that pass for roads. If I could find a straight, rust-free 87-91 T-roof shell, it would be headed toward resurrection. Anyone coming up from down south and willing to drag one with them?

My  son may be getting tired of his '86 Lazer (actually an '89 Daytona body with 86 tail , nose and T- top we grafted on) If you are really interested let me know and I can ask if he's serious about parting with it.

We my son and I have two red 86 xt lasers.  one sunroof car one t-top car .  Love that look!

[71charger_fan]

If anyone that cares enough to read this thread has access to an '83 parts book, I need the part numbers for the two shift linkage rods for the '83 Shelby Charger. The one with the bend in it is the most important one. I went to my local dealer; that was a waste of time. The kid looked up, asked what I wanted, told me he can't look up anything older than '84, and went back to ignoring me. It's a shame, when the GM's father still ran the business, they had a great parts department. Now they're useless.

[moparstuart]

 I have a buddy locally here who has owned an 83 shelby since new i'm sure he can help you

   I have his email address if you would like  ?

[moparstuart]

here is my 87 shelby and my wifes lebaron turbo convertible

[moparstuart]

thought i would post this email from les to help out anyone else having shifter rod problems


       Thanks guys for the input. Too bad that the rods themselves last forever. However, the plastic bushings do not. I replaced them years ago. I remember there was a heim joint fix but have no idea what parts to get or where to get them. Is there a website that details the process? I am temporarily on very slow dial-up and it takes forever and a day just to do a search. Count the time it takes it click through results and finding the simplest thing can take over an hour. Just opening an e-mail can be a three to five minute ordeal.



I bought the car new in July of '83 and am trying to get it back on the road. Tonight I pulled the L rear drum to do those brakes and found they were like new. That wheel cylinder must have frozen in about 1985 and I just never realized it. How embarrassing. I'll pull the R drum tomorrow and see what that's like. If it's like the left, I can get away with replacing the wheel cylinder and a clean up and the backs will be done.



Rockauto delivered my new calipers today and I'm awaiting pads, hoses, balljoints, and bushings. I'm hoping I don't need a new MC. My clutch doesn't grab until it's almost all the way off the floor so I'm guessing it's time for that too. Lord, I hate doing L-body clutches.



I ordered new carpet today. Unfortunately, I'm off to Egypt then Afghanistan then Egypt again until next summer. So, whatever doesn't get done by the 29th, won't get done for another year.



Terry

--- On Tue, 7/22/08, Alex Freeburne <alexfreeburne@hotmail.com> wrote:


From: Alex Freeburne <alexfreeburne@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Shelby Charger Shift Rods
To: "Lesley I. Chubick Sr." <lchubicksr@everestkc.net>, terrencepdevlin@yahoo.com
Cc: "STUART SUTTON" <stuartspeedway@hotmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 8:54 PM



A way to make it bullit proof and firm is to remove the rods, thread them, and replace the ends with heim joints from go carts. Not stock, but very solid and unbreakable.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:16:53 -0500
From: lchubicksr@everestkc.net
Subject: Re: Shelby Charger Shift Rods
To: terrencepdevlin@yahoo.com
CC: stuartspeedway@hotmail.com


OK, a couple guys and I replaced the bushings on my shift rods a few years ago.  Like yours it had gotten to where I couldn't get into this or that gear.  Had to drive through the yard and let
the car roll back into the garage in neutral.  Not good.  This is a project from hell.  I won't like about it, but it can be done.  Most likely the rods are fine but the connectors and bushings are not. I'm sorry but I do not have the bushing numbers handy.  I doubt those numbers are readily available anyway because the shift mechanism was changed after a couple years.

Here's the number for the local parts house (Mopars) located in Lenexa.  Ask for Bryan or Bobbi at: 913-642-4907.  I'm not certain these are available.  I will also copy one of our members who spends a lot of time at the local Pick N Pulls in case he can pick something up there. 

Part of the problem with the early Shelby Dodge Chargers and early GLH was the fact that the supports or brackets for the shifter were attached to the transmission.  When the engine moves around it takes everything with it.  When you get these bushings firmed up, if you haven't already done so, replace the passenger side and front motor mounts.  If you can stand the performance mounts (a little firmer) put those in.  If you aren't crazy about more vibration in the dash, try the stock mount and either fill it with RTV sealer before installing or do as I do and pound heater hose into the open spaces to firm the motor mounts up.  If you go with RTV, take your time filling the mounts and let each application set up well.

If you have or would like the shorter throw shifter in there this will be a good time to install one.  I did.  It looks stock but shortens the travel distance between gears substantially.  I got mine from Lambrose Race Engineering in St. Louis many years ago.  'Not sure they are even still in business.  Front Wheel Drive Performance "might" have these or be able to find them.  LRE's old number some 20 years ago was: 314-725-7181.  Perhaps some of the members in MWSDAC will get back to me with more info to help you out.

Another simple tip is to remove the shifter while you're working on the bushings.  Drop the shift shaft off at a good machine shop and have them cut 2" off the shifter shaft and re-thread it.  This shortens the throw a little but is less hassle than replacing the entire shifter.  Don't cut too much off or you'll have to lean over to shift gears.  During serious driving on a crooked course you don't want to upset your control.

Note:  When you get the bushings in place and it comes time to adjust the shifter, that is done with that main rod, beneath the floor right below the shifter.  There's a little clamp there and a microscopic twist on that shaft from the engine makes a huge difference in the shift efficiency.  Be patient.  It takes time but once you have it you can tighten the clamp firmly and it stays in place.

I will call Bryan myself tomorrow to see if those shifter bushings are still available.  'Might be good to know for future questions.  I'll get back to you tomorrow.   If you find what you need and want to let me know, my direct line at the office is: 913-279-6303.  Talk to ya again soon.

Les
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Devlin
To: lchubicksr@everestkc.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 1:35 PM
Subject: Shelby Charger Shift Rods


Les,

Stuart at Dodgecharger.com referred me to you. I have an '83 Shelby Charger that I bought new. The shift rods in it are shot, often leaving me with just 4th and 5th gear until I reach into the hot engine compartment and pop the rod end back on. Do you have the part numbers for the shift rods for these cars or a link to a website showing how to make your own? I'm trying to get the car back on the road.

Terry Devlin
Frederick, MD





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime you're online. 

[RT DAVE]

My buddy in high school had a HO shelby charger.  It went pretty good until he got t-boned.  It was an 83 (?) and he got it for $500 in 1993.   Now, a ten year economy car in that shape gets $2500.  I really liked that one for what it was.   

[66chargerkid]

a buddy of mine has an 83 and an 84. I am also a sucker for the g-bodies (daytonas and lasers (laser 84-86 not the later model mitsubishi crap)).
I wouldn't mind an 85+ turbo shelby charger. The carb'ed cars can be fun but I am a turbo kinda guy