New member

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:22 pm

Hi all

I have just joined your group and I am very keen to start on my new project

I am restoring a 1973 Dodge charger 7.2 auto

I run my own garage and wanted a side project but never worked on something like this and will definitely be needing some advice over the coming months lol

The car is basically a shell
No engine or transmission (VIN confirms 7.2 375 bhp standard)
Little to no interior (just seats)

While in the process of sorting the bodywork i am looking for advice on where to source a new front subframe i have looked everywhere and been told they are like gold dust

Also with having no engine already it kinda puts me in position to start fresh, I want BIG/FAST/LOUD lol after little research would the 440 HP big block be the right engine I am after? I have seen a few tuned up to 450bhp online but don't want to shell out $$$ on wrong stuff lol

Any help would be great

Thanks
Neal

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:31 pm

Hi Neal!

Welcome to the club and message board.

It looks like you have a clean example to act as a blank canvass there.

450bhp is easy with a 440 + big block.

Where are you based? Are you planning to make it a strip / street car?

Cheers

Pete

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:45 pm

I am based in Warrington Cheshire.

I would like to make it a street car ðŸ˜

Is there a legal limit on engine power for a street car?

That's what I thought when bought it start fresh

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:48 pm

No Limit.

I think Mark on here is pushing 2000bhp and is road legal.

Duncan Watts is near you at Crewe and will become your dealer

He could help you out an awful lot with engines and Gearboxes.

He goes under the handle of "Cannonball" on here. Very knowledgeable.

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Tue Oct 25, 16 10:55 pm

2000bhp ðŸ˜³ðŸ˜³ðŸ˜³ my god!

I have briefly spoken to Duncan (small world)
He advised on subframe issue lol and everyone els told me the same

If he the man will call him this week ðŸ˜
He gna become my new speed dial by sounds of it haha

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Oct 25, 16 11:22 pm

Reilly Motorsports in the USA do an "Alterkation" that converts the front end to coil over and Rack and pinion steering. They do them for 2nd Gen B bodies, not sure about 3rd Gen though. Lots of wonga but very good.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Oct 25, 16 11:24 pm

https://www.reillymotorsports.com/store ... hp?cat=264

cadboy · Post by **cadboy** » Wed Oct 26, 16 6:02 am

Hi Neal and welcome to the club and the forum, if the photo is of your car now, then she looks good

plenty help hear, good luck.

Ali

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Wed Oct 26, 16 6:06 am

Arrr great I was thinking about modified subframes but didn't want to open a can of worms hahaha

Looks like a might not have a choice tho ðŸ˜”

shaungriff · Post by **shaungriff** » Wed Oct 26, 16 7:22 am

Welcome ðŸ‘

Captain Chaos · Post by **Captain Chaos** » Wed Oct 26, 16 8:21 am

Welcome Neal

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Oct 26, 16 8:39 am

Welcome Neil, you've come to the right place.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Oct 26, 16 10:11 am

Not trying to put a downer on the project but, these Chargers rust everywhere so be sure you know how bad things are before you get in too deep. Rust free sheetmetal and trim are hard to find for these cars, even in the US. There is little aftermarket support. It is only since the gen 2 Chargers went ballistic price wise that anyone started to care about these cars, and now they do most are long since gone which is why parts are scarce.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Oct 26, 16 10:17 am

Blue - How did you mod the "K" frame in Paul's car?

Did you just do away with the rubber mounting?

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Oct 26, 16 10:48 am

Yes basically it was mounted solid on aluminium blocks. The long term plan was to convert to struts, the whole front suspension on these Chargers is really heavy, we're talking C body weight here.