10/11/2009

Not yet guys, but some new progress photos are coming later this week. 

FYI: There is an audio update on page #4. 

Please check back for updates and new pictures.

 

      THE "BIG-TO-DO" LIST        

Engine install	a	Roll cage	a
Drivetrain install	a	Paint
Rear suspension installation	a	Wheels and tires
Paint removal	a	Stereo
Metal Work	a	Interior
Body modifications	a	Window tint

My hat is off to Brian Smith, Rick Moncol, and Mick O'halloran of Brunswick, Ohio -- I give them all credit on body modifications and paint !!!!!

If you want custom work and show quality paint on your ride, they are the ones to talk to! Just shoot me an email or message and I'll get them in touch with you. 

The paint scheme will be similar to the 2010 Chrysler factory race car. We'll decide on the strobe stripe later...... 

BODY COLOR:	PPG '09 Arctic White (base/clear)
HEAD & TAIL LIGHT TRIM:	PPG 2009 Challenger Arctic White
REAR FILL PANEL:	PPG Flat black
HOOD & DOOR SILL:	PPG Flat black
ALUMINUM TRIM:	PPG Flat black
FIBERGLASS BUMPERS:	PPG 2009 Challenger Arctic White
GO-WING REAR SPOILER:	PPG flat black

  

So long old gas cap, the insert base for the Flip-top conversion is from a late model T-Bird...

The filler tube was bent is such a way that it appears to be a factory piece.   

The antenna on the front passenger fender was removed and filled with metal. 

 

For safety and to stiffen the body so she will launch in a straight line,  an eight Point Roll cage with door bars was installed. Bars go through rear package tray so I can retain the back seat. The cage was painted black.

 

1973 Plymouth Duster front and rear bumpers were modified to work on the Dodge F-Body. This is replacing the ugly railroad tie bumpers -- this knocks off 250+ pounds with the front and rear crash shocks, brackets, and bumper elimination.

  

 

Above is a picture of the Zex 10 pound plate Nitrous system, billet Optima RedTop battery hold down, and the battery cut off switch -- all will be mounted in the trunk.  

The upper dash was pulled, taken apart, then color changed from tan to black. I did the color change with Dupli-color vinyl paint.  

I have the fiberglass front fender vent taped on the body to show roughly where they are going, I think it will look better around two inches or so higher. They will be worked down so that the inlet opening will be ~ 3/4 inch away from the fender and more flush with the body.

They may look familiar to some of you, they are rear quarter vents from a Ford Mustang. 

To get her off the line, a Caltrac rear suspension from Calvert Racing was installed......

The fiberglass ground effects from Showcar Inc.

The rear spoiler came from First Place Auto Product (FPAP), it is a reproduction 70 'Cuda Go-Wing.  

All lights, markers, interior trim, and the grill were removed when the shifter was installed. I was fortunate, since there is little to no rust on the car, everthing came out easily. 

 

 

The two tone black & tan front buckets turned out nice. All the trim and hardware was taken off, cleaned, and painted black. The Iggee covers will tighten up even further once I get them in the sun.                                    

I modified a reproduction 1969 Chevelle SS gauge pod for the center console.  

This picture shows the center console when we test fit it in the car.

An aluminum plate was fabricated for the shifter, NOS arming switch, purge button, and two auxiliary switches.  

The R/T chin spoiler had good alignment out of the box.... But a center brace was fabricated to prevent tearing the fiberglass attachment points to the fender flares.

The wheel flares were attached with 1/4 inch stainless sheet metal screws.

Yes -- Big brakes are coming, but only after all the body work is completed and I decide which wheel/tire combo to go with.  

Here is a shot of the new grill. The center of the original was cut out, all areas smoothed and shaped with fiberglass. The fill is black aluminum mesh with a 'Cuda R/T emblem. The light buckets and turn signal covers are being painted the same color as the car 2009 Challenger Arctic White).

 

 

I found a reproduction inner hood "SHAKER" decal on eBay similar to the one above.

Aluminum mesh from Summit was glassed into the scoop opennings.

 

The "360-FOUR BARREL" emblems for the sides of the shaker were purchased off E-Bay.

I glassed the two piece off-set 4 barrel Shaker base together and coated it with a rubber based texture coating.

The internal weather seal is a reproduction piece.

 

For the shaker scoop inner hood weather stip, I customized a Dodge 1972 truck door seal. This was much better than shelling out $150+ for the OEM reproduction seal.  

On the decklid, I will badge the car with "Custom R/T" -- similar to OEM emblems on the Dodge Challenger.  I found the "Custom" badge on e-bay, it came off a 1948 Ford.

After some minor fab work, the Challenger SureGrip posi rear is in. This is before detailing.

I stopped by SUMMIT RACING to look at their wheels, it is going to be difficult to find a 17/20 upsize with the backspace I have and the Caltrac system.....

 

One set that did pop out was their SUMMIT Brand Pulsar slot. This may be a good choice to attain the old school look I'm going for, but they only come in 15's -- no upsize.

Another choice I'm considering is the black with a polished lip American Racing Torq-Thrust M wheel. 

 

For the exhaust,  a stainless PYPES Crossover system with dump tubes, THRUSH TURBO fourteen inch case mufflers, and 2x9 stainless exhaust tips will terminate in front of the rear tires. 

PYPES dual electronic cutouts will tie the dump tubes into the exhaust tips.

At the flip of a switch either open header or muffler exhaust will exit through the exhaust pipe.  The tie is will of course be at an outward 45 degree...

 

Modified MOPAR 360 Panther Crate Motor

425 HP @ 5400 RPM

448 ft. lbs. Torque @ 4000 RPM 

 

After much deliberation, I decided to stick with the 727 block and upgrade the the existing 904 transmission to a 727 unit. That transmission will be better suited for this application. Sooner or later, the 904 would give up the ghost.