rat muscle "daisy" build

[tan top]

 

[funknut]

I love it.  Great thread, can't wait to see more.

Looks like it would be pretty easy to put back to a stock powertrain if you wanted, so I don't see the big deal there.

[JR]

Most professional Formula D cars (regardless of make) use either the LS, or 2JZ because they've proven themselves to be the most reliable and durable under the stress of repetitive drifting events. The engine is a fine choice for what he's going to be doing with it.

It's a whole different set of priorities for a drift/road course build. Light weight and high RPMs for higher wheel speed take priority over big block torque, 5500 rpm redline and "Mopar or No car" cred an equivalent 440 would have.

[Charger-Bodie]

I just like the project before and now I don't it's that simple.

[JB400]

I like "Dare to be different", but some push it too far.  I'm just waiting for the final results.

[Charger-Bodie]

I like "Dare to be different", but some push it too far.  I'm just waiting for the final results.

I agree. I'm really not that against other brand engines in some cars and the lack engines are great . I just think a dart or a Polaris would be less offending.

[cbrestorations]

when the hood is down, sliding around the track billowing smoke or racing around on a roadcourse who cares what engine is in it...ill be having a blast  . im shooting for 3000lbs is my goal with me in it, ill get it there one way or another

[garner7555]

when the hood is down, sliding around the track billowing smoke or racing around on a roadcourse who cares what engine is in it...ill be having a blast  . im shooting for 3000lbs is my goal with me in it, ill get it there one way or another

I agree!  The LS is a wise move for what you are doing.  Huge aftermarket support for those powertrains.        

[cdr]

I like "Dare to be different", but some push it too far.  I'm just waiting for the final results.

I agree. I'm really not that against other brand engines in some cars and the lack engines are great . I just think a dart or a Polaris would be less offending.

                                                                                         

[Mike DC]

  
Why run a GM V8?  Why don't you just run a cheap junkyard Mopar aluminum-block V8?   Oh, wait - Mopar doesn't make one.


Oh, well.  I guess we can't be too picky about such a cutting edge thing . .  err, wait . . . Ford and GM both made them 20 years ago.  Europe & Japan even earlier.



Maybe it's too much to expect Mopar to do the additional engineering for such a project if their iron blocks are working well enough . . . . but they've had an alloy block in the MP catalog ($4500) for years.


I guess Mopar's muscle cars just don't need the weight savings that much?   No, that's not true either.  The new Chargers & Challenger are 4300+ lbs.  They are the butt of jokes because of it.

[cbrestorations]

 
Why run a GM V8?  Why don't you just run a cheap junkyard Mopar aluminum-block V8?   Oh, wait - Mopar doesn't make one.


Oh, well.  I guess we can't be too picky about such a cutting edge thing . .  err, wait . . . Ford and GM both made them 20 years ago.  Europe & Japan even earlier.



Maybe it's too much to expect Mopar to do the additional engineering for such a project if their iron blocks are working well enough . . . . but they've had an alloy block in the MP catalog ($4500) for years.


I guess Mopar's muscle cars just don't need the weight savings that much?   No, that's not true either.  The new Chargers & Challenger are 4300+ lbs.  They are the butt of jokes because of it.

well said...wake up mopar

[RCCDrew]

So... he is worried about weight savings but uses a 69 Charger as a foundation? 

[alfaitalia]

when the hood is down, sliding around the track billowing smoke or racing around on a roadcourse who cares what engine is in it...ill be having a blast  . im shooting for 3000lbs is my goal with me in it, ill get it there one way or another

3000lb ....(1363 kg!) that's less than a current model small engine VW Golf.....quite a target!

The shell alone (with doors, hood, trunk lid and glass) weighs in at over 1000lb.

[cdr]

So... he is worried about weight savings but uses a 69 Charger as a foundation?  

               

[Charger-Bodie]

My biggest problem with it , is that this car was gonna be a great example of a mopar with mods and now and nows gonna be another easy way out Chevy powered turd.

[cdr]

My biggest problem with it , is that this car was gonna be a great example of a mopar with mods and now and nows gonna be another easy way out Chevy powered turd.

  another YEP !!! The build on this car is awesome!!! some really great thought & ideas, But

[cbrestorations]

those who disagree are purists....i get it. put ur pure mopar charger agaisnt mine and lets see the outcome. obviously your not racers or care about handling as you would understand, but those watching and taking pictures of a charger sliding around billowing smoke, running lap times equal to pro touring camaro's or even just sitting at a stop light across from me will have a different outlook.

those saying worried about weight saving but used a charger...you do realize a charger platform is actually pretty light weight, its the heavy ass drivetrain and suspension that puts them in the 3850lb catagory. the stock big block engine and trans is every bit of 850lbs and i have removed 700lbs from my charger already. i just scaled my buddies 66 chevelle with an ls2 in it and it was still at 3280lbs. i already got that chevelle beat and im in the same weight bracket as ls swapped camaro's.  

[Charger-Bodie]

those who disagree are purists....i get it. obviously your not racers or care about handling as you would understand, but those watching and taking pictures of a charger sliding around billowing smoke, running lap times equal to pro touring camaro's or even just sitting at a stop light across from them will have a different outlook.

those saying worried about weight saving but used a charger...you do realize a charger platform is actually pretty light weight, its the heavy ass drivetrain and suspension that puts them in the 3850lb catagory. the stock big block engine and trans is every bit of 850lbs and i have removed 700lbs from my charger already. i just scaled my buddies 66 chevelle with an ls2 in it and it was still at 3280lbs. i already got that chevelle beat and im in the same weight bracket as ls swapped camaro's. 

No. i think it would be cooler yet if you did it while staying true to the car. to me if you pulled it off with a mopar engine of any kind it would mean far more than this way.

[68RT440]

I get it for sure. I'm a die hard and would always put a Mopar drivetrain in any Mopar that I build, however I work at a hot rod shop and 90% of the cars we build (which are 95% Fords) get a small block Chevy. They are easy to work on, easy to get parts for and fit in the smaller chassis. So I understand both sides of it. A lot of Mustang guys that I talk to love the LS swaps. I personally couldn't do it to my Mustang, but I know and understand where they are coming from from a cost vs. performance standpoint. I say build it how you want. There's no denying that's a bad ass car and you have some serious fab skills...

[alfaitalia]

To be honest it will be a great car LS...or not ....but..... to me (just my opinion obviously) to heart and soul of a Charger is its motor and to me that only means BIG BLOCK and preferably 440 plus. I'm sure a man of your skills could get a stroked 440 built well enough to go just about as quick with the heavy mopar lump in it (look how much weight keepat has lost from his Mopar (ish!) engine on his Bullit Build).....It can be done....but yes the LS is easier (and cheaper I guess??). I will still be following this thread with interest (and nicking ideas!!).....but now I like it a lot....don't think I could love it.

[cbrestorations]

i have the LS now, but if i come across a cheap 6.1 hemi or a nascar r5 engine soon i would consider it. especially the r5 engine, 10,000rpm...yes please

[cdr]

i have the LS now, but if i come across a cheap 6.1 hemi or a nascar r5 engine soon i would consider it. especially the r5 engine, 10,000rpm...yes please

The r5 would be AWESOME.

[alfaitalia]

Here ya go....yours for a mere $14,000! Runs on pump fuel too. Being British (not much NASCAR coverage here....like none!) I had to look up to see what an R5 even was!!

http://www.eatmonraceparts.com/fresh-built-nascar-dodge-mopar-r5-p7-wet-sump-engine-pump-gas-745hp-540-ft-lb-torque/

[Troy]

For some reason I had thought this was always planned as an LS swap so I went back and looked at the first post and it mentions a fuel injected twin turbo 440 with A518. But then I see it changed to a 6-speed and so on.

Any way, I agree with Mike - if you want best bang for the buck you really can't use Mopar engines. I love the new crate Hemis (for example) but could buy a new GM crate with a transmission, computer, and wiring for less and have a lighter assembly. Trolling through the junkyards makes it even more lopsided. However, that doesn't mean it can't be done using all Mopar stuff - it will almost assuredly cost a lot more. There's a somewhat famous wheelstanding 69 Charger in St Louis that has a blown BBC in it. Everyone loves the car until they figure it out and then they mostly hate it. I bet the guy driving it still smiles every time he gets in it! So is the intention to impress people or have a car that's crazy fun without costing a fortune? I don't have any problem with swaps as long as they make sense. I doubt I'd personally ever do it to a Charger. But hey, this was a car that hardly anyone else would have tackled in the first place.

Troy

[RallyeMike]

There's a fly in my soup.