trying to take my daytona to the next level

[BigBlockSam]

howdy kids

i wanted to share some of the changes i've made to the tona.

first i installed a big stereo in it . i kept the original radio in the dash and put it under the dash .am fm cd . 600watts , 6 speaker and a tube subwoofer . i like playing my ipod through it . i gotsa have my tunes 

after i built my daytona i was not happy with the handling characteristics of  her . especially at high speeds and she wouldn't stop well at high speeds . so i converted the front brakes to 11 inch drilled rotors and 11 inch rear drums .i changed everything on the brakes .  if in the future i decide to go to 18 inch rims i will put discs in the back too . i used all new parts . no reman parts . even the master is brand new . plus all chrysler parts .the rear brake hose was collapsed inside and very little pressure could get to the rear brakes . i was lucky that my friend Jack had two nos rear drums . that he sold me cheap . all i cold find where crappy repo drums .  what a difference . they are manual brakes but feel like power brakes . great pedal and she stops on a dime .
i also installed kyb high pressure , self adjust shocks on all 4 corners . plus i changed all sway bar bushings to poly .i bought a rear sway bar but after i was installing it i realized that you have to drill into the rear frame rails to install . i'm not gonna do that . so it's for sale .

i also installed frame connectors . i used the type that look like the original frame and get welded from front to back. i recommend you use this type . they are a lot more labor intensive but they will correct any sagging in the uni body . then painted everything with eastwood's rust encapsulator . my car was sagged in the middle about 3/4 of and inch . i used two hydraulic jacks to push the connectors into place . that raised the floor straight . this tightened the cars handling a lot .its stiffer then it use to be.

if your gonna use a fiberglass window plug . it is a MUST that you strap the frame or you will get cracks where the plug meets the car .
i used the vega hatch for mine . if you use the vega hatch and your gonna drive the sh*t out of your car . you must strap the frame . these old bodies flex a lot.

i'm building a 440 sixpack motor for it . i built 440 motor for this car already and it dyno'd at 430 hp . i was very happy with it . so was a brother club member . he offered me twice the cash that i had in it . so by, by motor . 
i got a garage full of 440's so i sent a 1968 440 hp motor to the machine shop . this one is not for sale . we're gonna try for about 450hp. i think we should get it . this one has a lot of head work done to it .

i also picked up a mid 70's steering box and pitman arm for the tona . this should tighten up the steering a lot but i haven't had time to install it yet .
i changed my tires to a lower profile and lowered the front end about an inch .

i thought i would have the car painted by now but i want this car to be a kick ass machine before i make her pretty . plus i ran out of cash 

here's some pics . first pic is how the car sits today 

[BigBlockSam]

 

[BigBlockSam]

 

[68X426]

When you find some money what about an upgrade to rack and pinion? 

[hotrod98]

Wow. I'm impressed. And that's not so easy now that I'm old and have seen just about everything there is to see. 

[Charger-Bodie]

Great update Rene. Looks like youve been having fun.

[hemi68charger]

Hey Rene.
Sounds good............      I think I'm going to go the slightly modified route with my 500 (A/C, bigger brakes, better suspension, etc.) I wanna have something that Kim and I can both enjoy driving/cruising in... Or, at the least, I drive the Daytona and she can jump in the 500............

[tan top]

been busy BBS    new paint would look good , but looks bas ass in flat black as is 

[moparstuart]

 

[NYCMille]

Stiffin' these cars up as much as you can. That will make the biggest difference in handling - subframe connectors, inner fender well braces and rad support. That will do WONDERS for these big cars. Also put in some nice big torsion bars 1.12, sway bars front and rear and some heavy duty leaf springs and you'll be good to go.

BTW - car looks awesome.

[moparstuart]

Iwould be interested in the rear sway bar if it will fit the birdible ?

[oldcarnut]

What do you mean when you say "strap' the frame?  Is that the frame connectors? I guess I'm having a brain freeze and don't recognise the terminology.  I noticed the no parking sign where you parked.  Is that Arabic or some kind of scribble on the bottom?  Good to see you enjoying the car  

[BPTRacing]

Nice Upgrades!

FYI - if you have one the android type phones there is an app called adyno, which basically turns your phone into a G-Tech meter to give you approximate 0-60 and 1/4 acceleration times!

Scott

[BigBlockSam]

hey guys

thanks for all your kind words . i went to a show yesterday. what a difference in this car . we where cruzing at 90mph and she was on rails . the faster i went the better she got . she wanted to go faster . i had a panic stop at 70mph . she slowed down quick and straight . like night and day compared to the old brakes but the front  did shake a bit . i discussed that with some friends at the show . they said that the drilled rotors will do that till i brake them in rite  .

i dig the rims on this car but it limits me on tire size in the front . i think my challenger will inherit these rims . i'd like to go with 255's front and back . i had 225's on the front but they rubbed  on the inside of the fender so i had to put these 205 60's on here . there ok but i need a wider  foot print .

i have the larger torsion bars in here and have discussed inner fender well braces with Jack . he said that was easy to do . so that's next . if any one has pics of those braces , please post some for me .
i have almost all the poly bushings to complete the change . i want to change them all even the tranny mount .
it's a sickness now . i've noticed such a difference in the handling of this car that i want to make it better and better.

i think these are the rims i what . 18's on back  and 17's on front . i don't know if it will ever happen cause there expensive but ya never know.

seeeeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[BigBlockSam]

p.s. i dented my front spoiler coming out of the car wash . that what i get for washing her  

I LUV IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!

[BigBlockSam]

hey

went up state to where i can open the beast up . real long flat roads . i followed my buddy in his 427 cobra . real nice car . he said that we were doing 155mph . but according to my RPM speedo we were doing 135 mph . 25 miles in between exits .    

the car went straight and on rails , the faster you go the more she likes it .. to go faster i'm gonna have to go to bigger skins in the front .

what a great time me and him had . we made 3 runs at 4 in the morning .taking turns  leading .  what a blast .

the beast is getting there . i think i'm gonna bag the rear , not for height but to firm out the back . i've done that to cars in the past . firms them up nice ,no roll .  plus you can control it .

can't wait to put in the new motor in the spring. with the six pack .  

[tan top]

hey

went up state to where i can open the beast up . real long flat roads . i followed my buddy in his 427 cobra . real nice car . he said that we were doing 155mph . but according to my RPM speedo we were doing 135 mph . 25 miles in between exits .    

the car went straight and on rails , the faster you go the more she likes it .. to go faster i'm gonna have to go to bigger skins in the front .

what a great time me and him had . we made 3 runs at 4 in the morning .taking turns  leading .  what a blast .

the beast is getting there . i think i'm gonna bag the rear , not for height but to firm out the back . i've done that to cars in the past . firms them up nice ,no roll .  plus you can control it .

can't wait to put in the new motor in the spring. with the six pack .  

awesome stuff BBS !! thanks for the updates, looking forward to reading & seeing more stuff 

[200MPH]

looks like you are there !

[BIGBLCK11]

  The car looks sweet!

[oldcarnut]

can't wait to put in the new motor in the spring. with the six pack .  

What cam did you decide to go with for your six pack?

[elacruze]

Stiffin' these cars up as much as you can. That will make the biggest difference in handling - subframe connectors, inner fender well braces and rad support. That will do WONDERS for these big cars. Also put in some nice big torsion bars 1.12, sway bars front and rear and some heavy duty leaf springs and you'll be good to go.

BTW - car looks awesome.

Threadjack warning!

How much are the inner fender braces and rad support worth? I have all the other bits. Although I watched the XV videos and heard subjective arguments, I'd like to hear from anyone (You, NYCMille) who has real-world performance evaluations of those parts. Particularly since my car is only lacking the final cut & polish on the paint...

[BigBlockSam]

What cam did you decide to go with for your six pack?

hi guys , thanks for the kind words . yea she's getting there . i got some more goodies for christmas for my cars .by the spring i hope to finish the bodywork and paint her.

i changed my plans with the motor for the daytona . i want her to be a cruiser . as reliable and efficient as possible . i have 3 cars with big cams . so i went with comp cam's sixpack cam . the 280h magnum .it is the largest cam you can use with a stock torque converter plus i want to use the stock hp exhaust manifolds too.  we're aiming for about 420 hp . my buddy built me some kick ass heads . oversize valves , chrome molly retainers ,harden valve seats , 1.5 roller rockers and correct springs . 9 1/2 -1 compression .the sixpack is all ready to go and on my 68 r/t .runs great. (look at picture)i'm returning that car to the stock intake and carb. i have all the #'s matching stuff

daytona's are big and heavy and are not made for drag racing . maybe i'll run some brackets with her but just for fun . i don't want to blow her up.

i got my 39 Plymouth Gasser to seriously drag race . Rene

[200MPH]

Looking good Rene! can't wait until mine is at that point!  are those 11.75 brakes or the 10.5 ,6?  Subscribed!

[daytonalo]

Looks great and I'm glad your getting to enjoy it !!



Larry

[BigBlockSam]

are those 11.75 brakes or the 10.5 ,6?  Subscribed! cheers

there 11 inch front and back . what a difference the front discs made