Feasability of a LT1 in a 73 Charger, and NC Shop Recomendations

[PsiNorm]

I'm sure this question will pain a number of you who read this, but I have a 73 Charger that has no engine or transmission and I want to get it on the road, and I have an LT1 engine and transmission for a price that I couldn't pass up. How feasible is that combination?

Second, if it is do-able, could anyone here recommend a mechanic/shop around North Carolina that can do the job and is dependable/trustworthy?

[JB400]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,93508.0.html

We had a discussion about a similar idea about sticking a 5.0 Ford in a Charger.  That is the above link.  Let's just say it can be done, but probably shouldn't be done.  It will take quite a bit of extra work than it would be to just keeping a Mopar engine.  Reply #69 will tell you what will need to be done.  
 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,93508.50.html

As far as the principal of it, it's an ok idea, but you will receive so much bashing from the Mopar community for putting it in there.  You will receive a lot of bashing now just for thinking about it.  If you can get the motor cheap enough, go ahead and get it.  Then, you can sell it to a chevy guy and invest in a Mopar engine of choice.  Nothing wrong with flipping a good deal around.

If you want to do it, by all means go ahead.  It's your car, but I wouldn't do it to mine.  It's a lot easier to stick with factory engines.

                               Best of luck on your car and welcome to the group.

[Ghoste]

What he said.

[Cooter]

Depends on the year of "LT-1" engine. If it's the typical later model in the fourth Gen. Camaro bodies with the distibutor behind the water pump, then that one will be a PITA to get wired and running for any shop. However, if it is nothing more than someone talking sh*t about a busted, clapped out, stock headed, low compression, dish piston, "4-eyebrow", "10.5:1", 1979 350 SBC, withan HEI distributor, then that is prolly one of the easiest engines to get running. Even in a HEAVY car like that Charger. Mounting it however, will take some "Enginuity"...Driveshaft will have to be CUSTOM made as it will have a GM front yoke spline count and a MOPAR rear U-joint....Not a very good idea. These cars ain't as easily done as say a late model Fox body with an GM LS motor dumped in with a huge turbo...

As stated, be prepared for some sh*t over dumping that engine in a Mopar. Not advisible unless your Mopar is around 1949 back.

[maxwellwedge]

At least you will be able to get parts at Wal-Mart  

[chargd72]

Trade the LT1 for a modern Hemi.

[hawkeye]

why not buy a motor/tranny out of a motor home?  you can get a low mileage combo for less than $1000 if you shop around.  would be alot less headaches and would preserve the value of the car.  there are about 3 people in the whole country that would want a charger with a gm power train.  3rd gens aren't that valuable to begin with.

[Troy]

What engine and trans was originally installed in the 73? Assuming it was a 318/auto you can buy a running drive train for less than $500 (and that might be overestimating). Stick in a 360 instead and the cost is about the same but you get more power. You'll have more money into buying a Chevy transmission and paying a shop to figure out how to install it all.

Don't get me wrong, I love engine swaps. I don't think what you're asking is incredibly hard - but all swaps (especially across brands) require a fair amount of tinkering and trial-and-error. None are fast and simple unless they've been done so many times that there is a "recipe".

Troy

[Mike DC]

I agree with the others. 

Even if you got that LT1 for free, the swap alone would probably cost more than it took to get a regular smallblock Mopar V8 in there.

[MrSnicks]

Not sure where you are in NC but here are some options

http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/pts/3635550308.html  $200

http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/pts/3575815753.html  $1000

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/3546172617.html    $850

I searched for 318's because they're pretty bullet proof.

Patrick