The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Here's my car! I have been visiting this site for about 2 years now. I'm not sure why I have not done this sooner. Always busy I guess.

engine compartment

Aluminum block? Displacement? Colour-code?
I have always wondered about those chrome mouldings below the doorsteps. Are they part of any moulding group? Is there any difference (of that moulding) from one year to another?

I will bet it is an iron block but with aluminum heads and water pump. The wide sill moulding is code M25 and a lot of Challengers had this originally but as they are rust traps you don't see many still on cars. I think there were slight changes from year to year but I would have to look into that.

With the engine, I started with a Mopar Performance short block assembly PN# P4876908 which is a bored .020 oversize 360. With the Edelbrock Aluminum Heads, it has 10.5 to 1 a compression ratio. I removed the 292 duration cam with 509 degree lift and went with a ENGLE CAM which has a more mild 283 duration and .507 lift. Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold, Comp roller rockers, and a very sweet fitting set of Dougs Headers. 2400 stall B&M torque converter, Demon 750 carburetor. For added beauty, a chrome six pack air cleaner lid.
For safe keeping, the high mileage stock 340 was placed on the metal engine stand and put inside the blue plastic container that the short block Assembly came in.
The color is Hemi Orange, I am not sure what the code number is.

Hemi Orange is V2.

Sounds like you have a very usable package there Steve. Looks real nice too.

Thanks Dave, It has been a lot work, but loads of fun to own! I can hardly wait for nice weather to come again!

SteveO, what can you tell me (and possibly post a closeup view) and show me about the mouldings? I have a repro pair from Metro Auto Parts in Atlanta and want to make sure their close in appearance. Are yours original?

Yes, my moldings are original equipment. They are one inch and a half wide. There are 3 inch wide moldings for earlier model years.
(photo sent)

Here's a shot of my car with the 71 grill installed....
Next comes the T/A style hood and rear spoiler.

Looks good! What's involved in the conversion to a '71 front grill on a 72-74?

Nothing like looking out over a T/A hood. Coolest hood scoop ever made!

Everything bolted in directly except for the headlight housings which need some fab work.
I purchased all the parts on ebay which was the grill, L/H & R/H headlight bezels, and top plate.
I also purchased a smashed 73 grill which I used for the fiberglass headlight housings because I did not want to cut my good one into pieces.
The works cost me around $500.
It was a fun project, I'm happy I did it!

You probably know this already, but when you go to the T/A hood you'll have to get much lighter hinge springs or the hood will buckle. You might also have to do some modification to the top bar on the hood hinge that bolts to the hood, it's wider than on the '70 hinge.
Cheers!

thats wonderful!!

Here's a shot of my car at a show last summer.

All the T/A parts installed.

End of the road for the Do-It-Yourself Kit.

Not only is she beautiful, but also ran 12.69 in the Quarter mile. Not bad for a street manered small block.

A ´71 T/A! The car that never was built! It can´t be many of those around. I haven´t realized until now, how well the ´71 front matches the T/A-scoop. Your car seems to have performance to match the look too. Can´t be much better. Never thought about adding a front spoiler package?

Steve,

It look's great! Sunny day today in Seattle, maybe you need to leave work early…

Awesome stuff steveO I like it.

New tires and wheels

Please double click on the photo and it reloads much sharper and bigger too!

You change wheels more often than a bloke I work with changes his underpants!

Very nice.

Thanks Dave,

Yeah, some of the items I have purchased for my Challenger just didn't seem to work out for one reason or another.

With that thought in mind, I have purchased 3 different sets of tires and wheels, 2 carbs, 2 sets of headers, 3 fuel pumps and 2 torque converters. Over the last four years. Everything else I have purchased has met or exceeded my expections of quality and performance.

Very nice looking ride Steve and looks really good with the T/A hood. What ever did you do with the original R/T hood just out of curiosity?

Worth a try eh Roger?

Roger,
The original parts like hood & 340 engine I keep stored. All the other non original items are sold or used on my 67 Coronet project car.

Can I interest you in a B&M 2400 stall converter.
Just kidding, I am sure postage to Australia would cost a bunch.

How much would postage be if you purchased a hood from the USA?

Steve;

save the converter for when i grenade mine in the satellite........



Freddie

SteveO, I love your car. Looks the business, 4 sure. If you don't mind me asking - What's your wheel combo? (backspacing etc). You definitely nailed it. It has a perfect squat - ready to devour ya

I'd be scared if I wasn't driv'n a chrysler.

Wheel combination info. etc. Torque Thrust II wheels, 15X7 in front, 15X8 in the rear, 4 1/2 back spacing, 5 lugs on 4 1/2 of couse. Tires are 235x60-15 BFG T/A's, raised white letters out !

Thanks Steve. I filed the info for when I'm ready. I would hate to make a bad decision when I chose my combo, as i'm very picky about the stance of a car. I see so many amazing cars ruined by a bad stance. Of course everyone has there own opinion. - just mines right!

Do you have super stock springs - any other mods??

Brant,

I have the XFD (Extra Heavy Duty) Leaf Springs in the rear, P4452984 right, and P4452985 left side.
Up front, torsion bars are .920 Diameter, P5249157. KYB Shocks all the way around. Polygraphite bushings everywhere. 1.125 diameter front anti sway bar, rear "stock" 5/8 diameter sway bar I believe.

Handles pretty sweet now. When I first drove it 5 years ago, it wallowed around corners like a drunk pig. Now it feels very tight.
The dash and center console squeeks though.

So there is always something to do.

did you need adjustable leaf shackles for your ride height, or is that how it sits with stock shackles?

Drunk Pig - that's funny. Are you going to through on the TA exhaust, cause I've been looking in to it for a while. Not sure if I should go with the NOS type ones or the ones from accurateltd.com. The aftermarket ones don't have the restricter/diffuser - they say they're good for built 340's and Big blocks. (although they don't cone, so they don't look as impressive) Do you know anything about these applications?

I think you should put the TA exhaust on your car. It's the finishing touch to that PREDATOR!