1968 Barracuda / Hellcat Redeye swap project
Budget friendly Hellcat Redeye swap... :) That's a good one.
I commend your optimism!
Full disclosure, I'm no expert. Just someone that does a fair amount of agonizing over details.
My first swap is still in progress. With that in mind, here are a few of my personal observations, opinions.
First, I'm not a fan of moving the engine forward 1.75"... there isn't a lot of space up front for radiator and fans or a shroud to start with.
Plan on major tunnel work regardless, unless you are using some of the old school transmissions.
No experience with a Hellcat motor but A-Bodies have a lot less room to work with than B or E bodies. Currently building a 6.1 69 Barracuda Fastback with 8HP70 8-speed.
I went with QA1 tubular K-Member and moved the passenger mount rearward to keep the stock oil filter location. It maintains the TB suspension. Also added USCT Subframe connectors, F/R torque boxes, inner fender braces, shock towers are braced and boxed in. Replaced the radiator core support with USCT's full replacement Core Support. 6.1 intake clears the firewall and wiper motor without any mods.
A Hellcat will most likely require firewall mods and wiper motor change/eliminate/relocate. Smaller modern wiper motors can be located inside the firewall.
My QA1 with TTi mounts.
Passenger side mount modified/moved. Plenty of clearance and access to the stock filter location.
No adapter or filter relocate needed.
A couple benefits of using Schumacher Creative Services Poly-Loc Biscuit Mounts, they allow for more adjustability with engine positioning IMO. They also allow shimming left right mounts or both to adjust "clocking" the engine for optimum clearances... it's a dance of fractions of an inch.
No experience with spool mounts, bonus if they adjust... if not "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
Schumacher Poly-Loc isolator cutaway view.
They are a bit thicker than stock rubber isolators, which is actually a good thing, helps a little with clearance.
Have not heard of one of these Poly-Loc biscuit style isolator failing.
Not saying they never fail, just that I've never heard of one failing...
Wedge shaped Shim I made for the driver's side. Helped with a little more header to steering box clearance.
It's a tight fit for sure, but the TTi mounts work with my TTi Headers and Mopar Manual steering box.
The before and after shim... modified/repurposed rear end shim from an off-road shop. Came in a pair.
Cut one down, sanded and painted.
Electric power steering from EPAS performance with a modified Ididit tilt steering column helps reduce clutter in the engine compartment. Eliminates; PS Pump, Brackets, Reservoir, Belt, Hoses, Fluid, constant parasitic HP drain on the engine. Motor is inside, under the dash. Probably save a little weight too.
My complete EPAS Column. Electronic control box not shown. Input/output sensors manage the amount of assist in real time as needed. User adjustable for more or less to suit.
Also clears my TTi headers and 6.1 valve covers. Stock column, stock steering coupler would not.
Solves multiple challenges. Collapsible too to maintain a margin of safety. 3/4" DD lower shaft into the 1" DD upper shaft. I added the upper U-joint just in case, for mounting flexibility. May not have needed it...
I also made my own firewall mounting plate with bearing.
With only an AC compressor and alternator front accessories, I chose March Performance Serpentine kit.
It solved my AC compressor location and I really like how it looks. I modified it and routed the belts to my liking. Don't know if March has a system for Hellcat motors...
Link to my project thread on FABO - G3 Hemi 69 Barracuda Fastback Father Son Project
I look forward to seeing your build!
Budget friendly Hellcat Redeye swap... :) That's a good one.
I commend your optimism!
Full disclosure, I'm no expert. Just someone that does a fair amount of agonizing over details.
My first swap is still in progress. With that in mind, here are a few of my personal observations, opinions.
First, I'm not a fan of moving the engine forward 1.75"... there isn't a lot of space up front for radiator and fans or a shroud to start with.
Plan on major tunnel work regardless, unless you are using some of the old school transmissions.
No experience with a Hellcat motor but A-Bodies have a lot less room to work with than B or E bodies. Currently building a 6.1 69 Barracuda Fastback with 8HP70 8-speed.
I went with QA1 tubular K-Member and moved the passenger mount rearward to keep the stock oil filter location. It maintains the TB suspension. Also added USCT Subframe connectors, F/R torque boxes, inner fender braces, shock towers are braced and boxed in. Replaced the radiator core support with USCT's full replacement Core Support. 6.1 intake clears the firewall and wiper motor without any mods.
A Hellcat will most likely require firewall mods and wiper motor change/eliminate/relocate. Smaller modern wiper motors can be located inside the firewall.
My QA1 with TTi mounts.
Passenger side mount modified/moved. Plenty of clearance and access to the stock filter location.
No adapter or filter relocate needed.
A couple benefits of using Schumacher Creative Services Poly-Loc Biscuit Mounts, they allow for more adjustability with engine positioning IMO. They also allow shimming left right mounts or both to adjust "clocking" the engine for optimum clearances... it's a dance of fractions of an inch.
No experience with spool mounts, bonus if they adjust... if not "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
Schumacher Poly-Loc isolator cutaway view.
They are a bit thicker than stock rubber isolators, which is actually a good thing, helps a little with clearance.
Have not heard of one of these Poly-Loc biscuit style isolator failing.
Not saying they never fail, just that I've never heard of one failing...
Wedge shaped Shim I made for the driver's side. Helped with a little more header to steering box clearance.
It's a tight fit for sure, but the TTi mounts work with my TTi Headers and Mopar Manual steering box.
The before and after shim... modified/repurposed rear end shim from an off-road shop. Came in a pair.
Cut one down, sanded and painted.
Electric power steering from EPAS performance with a modified Ididit tilt steering column helps reduce clutter in the engine compartment. Eliminates; PS Pump, Brackets, Reservoir, Belt, Hoses, Fluid, constant parasitic HP drain on the engine. Motor is inside, under the dash. Probably save a little weight too.
My complete EPAS Column. Electronic control box not shown. Input/output sensors manage the amount of assist in real time as needed. User adjustable for more or less to suit.
Also clears my TTi headers and 6.1 valve covers. Stock column, stock steering coupler would not.
Solves multiple challenges. Collapsible too to maintain a margin of safety. 3/4" DD lower shaft into the 1" DD upper shaft. I added the upper U-joint just in case, for mounting flexibility. May not have needed it...
I also made my own firewall mounting plate with bearing.
With only an AC compressor and alternator front accessories, I chose March Performance Serpentine kit.
It solved my AC compressor location and I really like how it looks. I modified it and routed the belts to my liking. Don't know if March has a system for Hellcat motors...
Link to my project thread on FABO - G3 Hemi 69 Barracuda Fastback Father Son Project
I look forward to seeing your build!