392 in a 70 Duster

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payneinthe

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After 5.5 years of rotting in the back driveway, my 70 Duster project is finally going to get started. The wife has given me til the end of 2017 to get the car done. While I know this isn't a realistic time frame, it does seem reasonable to at least have some noticeable progress by then.

The main hold-up so far has been paperwork. I only got a bill of sale when I bought the car, and registration has been a pain. I don't want to dump a whole bunch of money into somebody else's car, so I want to get that straightened out first.

So, the plan is a 392 gen 3 Hemi and TR6060. I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I have a master tech on retainer who'll be helping me with most of the job. I'm willing to pay a bit extra for convenience/simplicity. For example, I'm currently leaning toward a dropout pallet from Cleveland Power & Performance rather than going junkyard hunting. Thinking I'll put forged rods&pistons and a cam in it before putting the engine in the car, since I suspect I'll be wanting to supercharge it down the line.

Looking for good handling and lots of power. The hope is that this car will be fun enough autocrossing, road racing and canyon carving that I can let go of the S2000 and 911 and let this be my only fun car.

Would love feedback and thoughts on ways to do this better.

Thanks!
Tony
 
My only advice is don't put a dime into it until you get the car in your name. Everything you wrote is absolutely correct in that you are basically doing all the work and spending all your money on something that is not yours...

Otherwise it sounds like a great plan for the car.

JW
 
payneinthe said:
Looking for good handling and lots of power. The hope is that this car will be fun enough autocrossing, road racing and canyon carving that I can let go of the S2000 and 911 and let this be my only fun car.

Would love feedback and thoughts on ways to do this better.

Thanks!
Tony
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What kind of 911 (old, new)? I've always wanted a late 70s-early 80s SuperCarrera I love those things...

I sub'd to this thread as I also have a '70 Duster which currently has a built 360 but it has always been my ultimate plan to drop in a modern Hemi.
 
It's a 2013.

I'm currently in a holding pattern, waiting for Arrington to figure out if they can use the stock harness that comes with the pallet or whether they need to build a custom harness.
 
Man, time sure goes by fast.

I'm back at it. Pink slip is in my name & I've got the motivation to finish this.

Found a good deal on a 6.1 w/ the TR6060. It's on its way.

In a week or so, I'll be welding up a rotisserie (http://redwingsteelworksplans.com/w...teel-Works-Auto-Rotisserie-Plans-10242012.pdf) to make it just a bit easier to work on.

The chassis stiffening kit & mini-tubs are on order from US Car Tool.

Any thoughts on QA1 vs HDK vs RMS for the front suspension/k-member? The cost of the QA1 sure is appealing. What's the catch?
 
The catch is Qa1's (I believe it started out as magnum force but if I am wrong someone will surely correct me) reputation has not been good for actually staying together. They have been bought out I believe so maybe quality has changed but in the past there had been several issues of welds breaking. I have the RMS setup and it is nice. Hemi Denny also has a nice product and can tailor it to your needs.
 
HDK.......you won't deal with a nicer guy! I just bought the simple stock k frame and spindle conversion kit, and it's a work of art. I can only imagine how nice the full conversion stuff is.
 
I've got the 6.1 tr6060 combo from CPAP with a Hemi Denny K. I think it's an awesome setup.
If your guy can fab, you will be happy but there is going to be quite a bit of surgery in your cars future!
 
toplscuda said:
The catch is Qa1's (I believe it started out as magnum force but if I am wrong someone will surely correct me) reputation has not been good for actually staying together. They have been bought out I believe so maybe quality has changed but in the past there had been several issues of welds breaking. I have the RMS setup and it is nice. Hemi Denny also has a nice product and can tailor it to your needs.
Click to expand...

Magnumforce still exists(somehow). The product that QA1 purchased was from Cap Auto.(If I remember right). And the thing to note is that QA1 didn't purchase the product and immediately rush it to production with their name slapped on it. Which suggests that they have put some thought into what they were doing. I'd love to see some reviews of people who've used the QA1 version.
 
Dragger, did you use the bellhousing from the dropout or did you go to a smaller one with a driver's side starter?
 
Check out my photos, I used a Magnum Force front suspension. Biggest problem was the 6.4 wouldn't clear the firewall so I wound up relocating the firewall 3 1/2 rearward and then the ingrown wild hair got me and off I went. Don't know or haven't heard any thing about Magnum Force welds breaking, but note that they changed from a tubular set up to one similar to RMS. Need more info let me know.
 
Should really update the thread title. 6.1l engine is here and the rotisserie is almost built. Hoping to have the car on the rotisserie this coming weekend.

I think I've settled on the AlterKtion suspension. Found American Powertrain offers an offset trans mount, a tunnel and an offset shifter that should help a bit with the install.
 
Made good progress today.

Rotisserie is done. Took forever, but I got lots of good welding practice, so I got that going for me I guess.

IMG_20170422_182106.jpg


Engine will be on the stand as soon as I get some torx sockets to get the clutch off

IMG_20170422_182317.jpg


Transmission is out of the way for now
IMG_20170422_182341.jpg


Bumper's off and front's about ready to mount to the rotisserie

IMG_20170422_182134.jpg


Car's filthy after 35 years of neglect. Will need to borrow a pressure washer

IMG_20170422_182156.jpg


Had a little helper today

IMG_20170422_181540.jpg
 
Thanks, Caleb. Congrats on getting Take 2 on the road. Looks like you hit a few snags along the way but kept on going. I hope I can stay as persistent.
 
payneinthe said:
Thanks, Caleb. Congrats on getting Take 2 on the road. Looks like you hit a few snags along the way but kept on going. I hope I can stay as persistent.
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Hey thanks! She's been out of commission since February due to me redoing the dash but I'm hoping to her her back on the road this week! Got a cruise in to go to Saturday!
 
75slant6 said:
Hey thanks! She's been out of commission since February due to me redoing the dash but I'm hoping to her her back on the road this week! Got a cruise in to go to Saturday!
Click to expand...
where the cruise i need to get out and play
 
badlilred79 said:
where the cruise i need to get out and play
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Franklin, Ky. It's called Cruise-in at the drive-in. It's at the drive-in theatre from 10-3. There's also swap meet spaces available but last year (or 2 years ago maybe) the swap meet area was pretty pathetically small. I'm planning to get the Duster running and take it, then hang around Franklin the rest of the afternoon and go back to the drive-in Saturday night for the movies
 
75slant6 said:
Franklin, Ky. It's called Cruise-in at the drive-in. It's at the drive-in theatre from 10-3. There's also swap meet spaces available but last year (or 2 years ago maybe) the swap meet area was pretty pathetically small. I'm planning to get the Duster running and take it, then hang around Franklin the rest of the afternoon and go back to the drive-in Saturday night for the movies
Click to expand...
thanks
 
Dragger40, would you be able to tell me about how far behind the trans cross member the TR6060 mounting bolts sit?
 
payneinthe said:
Dragger40, would you be able to tell me about how far behind the trans cross member the TR6060 mounting bolts sit?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I replied to you in the other thread (T-56 install). I can get those measurements for you this weekend but if it were me, I'd pitch the tape and let the trans fall where it wants to sit then build the crossmember to work in that position.
I attached some pics in the other thread of what I did and I think there are some more in my build thread called , Not everyone's cup of tea.
 
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