Mopar Muscle Association UK

as the title says has anyone done it? would it de-value the car? would it be practical? just you see alot of cheap 300c for sale at not alot of money just think it would be the cheaper not easier route to a up to date hemi, any thoughts?

This sort of thing has been done in the States. The most difficult way is to take the outer body off of the modern car and drop the Charger body onto the newer floorpan etc... That way you get the modern chassis, suspension, steering, brakes, engine, trans, interior, everything except it now has the outer shell and total appearance on an old Charger. I've seen several done this way on the West Coast Customs US car show. A lot of skill, a lot of work, and a lot of money.

The easiest way is to drop a modern Hemi engine and trans along with the necessary electronics into the Charger. This has been done loads of times. I have seen several at the Mopar Nats and Chryslers at Carlisle in the USA.

If it is done nice I don't see why it would devalue the car if it was originally a bog standard 318. But you wouldn't do it to a genuine R/T.

never thought of the body swap , was thinking try and make everything fit in the charger body of the 300c , ive done it with a subaru pickup and an impreza , took alot of work but it turned out really well , ive still got the pickup 6 years later use it to drag race


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Whilst I know it can be done, I am not entirely convinced on the benefits of the engine swap compared to the effort and cost.

What are you trying to gain or achieve?

I have had a few Chargers and I have a 5.7 Hemi in a Durango and I am not sure the Hemi would translate well. It's not that powerful or torquey, but a good enough engine.

In my view a Big Block swap would make more sense as it would appeal to more people should you come to sell the car.

Still quite a lot of work, though.....done that too!!!

cheers pete thats kind of advice i need, atleast the 440 will bolt straight in , ive got a 3 speed on the floor would that mate with it or would i need a different box? and would i need different rear axle?

who do you all go to to build engines in the uk?

You would need to change the transmission if you go to BB as the bell housing is cast in and a different size - all the internals actually fit, which is interesting and annoying at the same time.....Torque convertor should fit.

You would need>

Engine,
Gearbox,
Engine plates that bolt to the block, mounts are the same,
Exhaust / headers,
Potentially radiator.
Engine ancillary brackets - if PAS the design is different for the pump.
Carb & Carb linkages, including kickdown.


Prop would fit but might need an upgrade on UJ's an Yoke(s).
Need to check on rear axle - probably an 8 3/4 so Ok.


I think you could actually add value as people seem to pay a premium for Big Block cars, even if they are not original / numbers matching. This is very much personal choice on what you want to achieve. Many people prefer Small Block cars due to them being less nose heavy and better on fuel.

Still a lot of ££££ and work though.

If you're going shopping for a 440, make sure you know how to identify one, and also be able to tell the difference between a forged crank and the less desirable (and therefore cheaper) cast crank version. Half the time sellers don't know much about what they are selling (especially on eBay) so you need to.

...and next you will think "If I am converting to a 440 and rebuilding it, I might as well put a Stroker kit into it".

It really is endless, such are the options and ability to spend money.........

Are the K frames the same on the SB / BB cars?

Yes they are, you just need the correct engine mounts. Shame it's not that easy with A bodies.

will be going BB with the car probably early next year , is there any decent engine sellers or builders most of the members use? dont like paying good money for bad work , would i need to order headers etc from the states?

Have a chat to Dave

http://www.billadeau-speed.co.uk/

He did my 440 stroker and I couldn't be happier.

adrian.

cheers adrian will do

will do adrian thanks