Hemi engine swap • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **plum-crazy** » 24 Sep 2007 22:57

Hi again.

I started this topic to show the progression of Hemi swap instead the previous 440.

At this moments we solved several problems but I followed the builder instructions and step by step we are rising the goal.

Engine still not running but we are even nearer...

by **plum-crazy** » 24 Sep 2007 23:05

No way to fit the rack and pinion steering, the sump is too large and to squared, the headers don't help and the shaft angle is too bad to work well.
Maybe a tubular magnum force is needed or alterktion system but in this moment is a lot of money once arrived the engine here.

by **fal308** » 25 Sep 2007 22:23

Looks nice so far.
I've seen where someone has customized an oilpan with a tube through it for the steering linkage to run through. Don't recall if it was an r&p setup or not. Think of a hole drilled through the pan left to right, then a tube fitted and welded in the hole. You may have to rethink your pickup or adapt a rear pickup.
I think airfueleddie contemplated the alterktion setup once. IIRC he said it was very expensive but nice.

by **Eddie** » 26 Sep 2007 13:37

Yeah, I did Fal, it sure is nice and well engineered. It would require a lot of cash though. I wonder if Charlies Oil pans couldnt make a sump that had the necessary clearance. Bill Reilly at alterktions could probably advise and have the right dimensions for the proper pan. It's been done before.

by **dave-r** » 26 Sep 2007 14:00

I am hearing that there are "issues" even with Bill Reilly's alterktion crossmember. It seems the lack of adiquate suspension travel may be causing problems with weight transfer. It also adds a couple of inches to the track width at the front which always looks odd to me.

I really do not think you can beat the original k-frame coupled with a faster ratio stock-type manual steering box. I have yet to see or hear of any rack and pinion conversions that did not have geometery and bump steer issues.

If i was puting a Hemi in an A-body i might have a different opinion but I don't see the point of messing with the way a Challenger's steering and suspension work.

I do like that power brake system though. :thumbsup:

That looks like a nice bit of kit. :nod:

by **Eddie** » 26 Sep 2007 18:37

He could ask John Aruzza about using the 6 Qt. factory pan.(This might give the necessary clearance). This would give him 7 qts total and enough lube for 6500 RPM safely. He doesnt have an external line pickup does he?

by **plum-crazy** » 27 Sep 2007 20:40

Finally I installed a rebuilt steering box with new rods.

Yesterday I finished the power booster instalation

by **Eddie** » 27 Sep 2007 20:50

I like that hydra boost! :twisted:

And those "mondo" Hemi Heads! :thumbsup:

by **plum-crazy** » 28 Sep 2007 21:36

Thanks.
I must leave for two weeks, when I come back I will follow until I can turn it on.

by **plum-crazy** » 02 Nov 2007 7:02

I made a mistake posting this on other post.

I add a new pictures and first firing video.

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=zFUnl2-Q3cU

by **Eddie** » 02 Nov 2007 13:02

Great job, out of curiosity, what type hood are you going to use?

by **drewcrane** » 02 Nov 2007 15:18

I really do not think you can beat the original k-frame coupled with a faster ratio stock-type manual steering box. I have yet to see or hear of any rack and pinion great point people seem to try to reinvent the front end, i agree dave the k frame is a good combo , with better control arms, upper and lower this set up works great with a fast ratio box,!

by **plum-crazy** » 03 Nov 2007 7:06

Finally the rack and pinion was not be possible due the big sump.
If I could use the small rounded sump from mopar rack and pinion cuold be able.

by **RedRaven** » 03 Nov 2007 10:43

Great shots my man!! :wink:

Quick question you live in Spain right?

Did you import the engine from the states? How much did it set you back in Euros and how much import tax duty and shipping did you have pay?

Im in Ireland by the way!!

Id love to do that, well done. :thumbsup:

by **plum-crazy** » 04 Nov 2007 6:35

RedRaven wrote:Great shots my man!!

Quick question you live in Spain right?

Did you import the engine from the states? How much did it set you back in Euros and how much import tax duty and shipping did you have pay?

Im in Ireland by the way!! Id love to do that, well done.

Yes the ingine was imported from North Carolina by the company called Bax-Global - Schenker, or Schenker Logistics, depends of the country.

I ordered them to pick up the engine at the builder door (thanks to John Arruzza ) which was too comprehensive and helpful each moment, excellent packaging and full instructions for all, brake in (anyway the first 60' time running was made for him), oils, set up,etc...

NO DYNO TEST. He never do it with a customer engine, he always do that with a test engine (called for him the mule) to check goodies of each change he make in his engines.

Well, the shipping cost from door to door was about 850 euros.
Once in spain I paid about 20% tax, IVA + import tax, handling, paperwork...Think about 3000 euros for all.

I'm not sure about Ireland tax but I think no major differences from here.

by **RedRaven** » 04 Nov 2007 13:47

So in total what did it cost for the engine and the rest?

by **plum-crazy** » 04 Nov 2007 21:47

If you are referring to the engine $25000
Extras : Arruzza custom converter $1000
TTi Ceramic Coated Headers $785 (include gaskets, bolts, reducers)
Crank + flexplate bolts $100
Mopar water pump housing + milodon water pump : $250
Pulleys : $250
Flexplate SFI : $150
Engine mounts (custom) : Free
Oil dipstic : $60

Euro/Dollar : 1.31

Take the calculator and don't forget the shipping and tax mentioned before.

Once here, there's a lot of thinks that you need to prevent, change, modify...I'm sure I'm forgetting several things.

Is for that reason people are asking high prices for an hemi clone (b/e body) due the high cost of each part, and keep in mind that once you have the engine here you need to begin the work.

Finally I must say that it has broken my budget in more than once and twice, but now I have no way, just forward and I hope to drive it soon and realize my dream.

My own e-body hemi.

by **dave-r** » 05 Nov 2007 8:38

by **RedRaven** » 05 Nov 2007 9:28

Top stuff Crazy...Top Stuff!!! :thumbsup:

by **Eddie** » 05 Nov 2007 12:02

Yeah, it's not for the "faint hearted" money is only paper. Your dreams and realizing them are not, they are real, they will give you more pleasure than paper any day of the week.! :thumbsup:

I cant count how many people I know that have died with bundles of money, that they couldnt take to the grave with them,(they tried believe me), only to have their money spent by people who despised them. Spend it now! While your young enough to enjoy life. When you are old and tired money will no longer be the issue. Something else will.

by **plum-crazy** » 05 Nov 2007 13:04

Thanks guys.
The main reason to decide it was the total agreement of my wife.
One day when I was thinking in the wedge, she told me - Buy the hemi, if you don't do it now , you will ever regret it -
And was that day when I thought, let's go! For the hemi.

Everybody is thinking in less money when begins each project, that's all.
At this moment keep in mind I couldn't take nothing to the grave if I die.

But today I try to finish the exhaust lines, just before the tips to avoid neighbours anger when we'll tuning the idle.

by **RedRaven** » 05 Nov 2007 13:17

plum-crazy wrote:Thanks guys.
The main reason to decide it was the total agreement of my wife.
One day when I was thinking in the wedge, she told me - Buy the hemi, if you don't do it now , you will ever regret it -
And was that day when I thought, let's go! For the hemi.

Everybody is thinking in less money when begins each project, that's all.
At this moment keep in mind I couldn't take nothing to the grave if I die.

But today I try to finish the exhaust lines, just before the tips to avoid neighbours anger when we'll tuning the idle.

Just think of it this way Crazy...when you go to the big dragstrip in the sky, the car will still be here to give somebody as much joy as it gave you right..... :thumbsup:

by **Eddie** » 05 Nov 2007 13:28

plum-crazy wrote:Thanks guys.
The main reason to decide it was the total agreement of my wife.
One day when I was thinking in the wedge, she told me - Buy the hemi, if you don't do it now , you will ever regret it -
And was that day when I thought, let's go! For the hemi.

Everybody is thinking in less money when begins each project, that's all.
At this moment keep in mind I couldn't take nothing to the grave if I die.

But today I try to finish the exhaust lines, just before the tips to avoid neighbours anger when we'll tuning the idle.

Sounds like a very smart woman. After the engine gets done you should ask her what she thinks about Pro-Chargers. :s002:

by **plum-crazy** » 05 Nov 2007 21:40

airfuelEddie wrote: Sounds like a very smart woman. After the engine gets done you should ask her what she thinks about Pro-Chargers.

She knows about it.
But in this case it's me braking this way. No superchargers in this hemi.
All throttle, no bottle, no chargers...
Maybe on the future but no in this challenger. :disbelief:

by **Eddie** » 05 Nov 2007 21:48

plum-crazy wrote:
airfuelEddie wrote: Sounds like a very smart woman. After the engine gets done you should ask her what she thinks about Pro-Chargers.

She knows about it.
But in this case it's me braking this way. No superchargers in this hemi.
All throttle, no bottle, no chargers...
Maybe on the future but no in this challenger.

Yeah you have enough power now! But c'mon doesnt this just give you a small 'spark' of insanity :s024:

The blow-off valve is bigger than most cars carburetors! :mrgreen:

by **RedRaven** » 05 Nov 2007 22:31

Eddie thats insane........................
:shock:

by **RedRaven** » 05 Nov 2007 22:32

Crazy what was in it before the HEMI??

by **plum-crazy** » 06 Nov 2007 4:39

airfuelEddie wrote:
plum-crazy wrote:
airfuelEddie wrote: Sounds like a very smart woman. After the engine gets done you should ask her what she thinks about Pro-Chargers.

She knows about it.
But in this case it's me braking this way. No superchargers in this hemi.
All throttle, no bottle, no chargers...
Maybe on the future but no in this challenger.
Yeah you have enough power now! But c'mon doesnt this just give you a small 'spark' of insanity The blow-off valve is bigger than most cars carburetors!

Wow, this engine is from speed o motive?
How does it works?

by **plum-crazy** » 06 Nov 2007 4:41

RedRaven wrote:Crazy what was in it before the HEMI??

The previous engine was a 440 0.030 bored.
312 hp at rear wheels before install the MSD and the 3" exhaust with the x-pipe.
Was a really quick engine.

by **Eddie** » 06 Nov 2007 14:27

Yeah that's good for 1600 H.P.. Plum I just recieved my Mancini catalog. They have a new low profile Hemi oil pan from Milodon. It's made just for IFS front suspension systems and provides the necessary clearance for the suspension's rack. You might want to call them and get the specs on the pan and confer with your builder. Might save some serious cash and time. :thumbsup:

To utilize 1600 H.P. on the street is actually mad. How are you going to hook that power up without totally re-engineering the car? Believe me, that Hemi is going to give you enough 'fits' with traction as it stands now, you will have more than enough power! :thumbsup:

www.maciniracing.com