Help evaluating this car...69 DART

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69dart416

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This post references this car from a craigslist ad:
69 DART

Hi, I'm a newbie here and looking for help on what you guys think the value of this car would be as is and for ideas on building.

This is a 1969 Dart 6cyl that a little old lady literally owned. I looked at the car and there really isn't rust to speak of besides surface stuff than can be blasted away. Trying to decide if the car is worth working with.

The purpose for the car would be for drag racing.

POWERTRAIN:
Don't scream brand loyalty, but I have a 416 cid 13.5:1 LS3 engine that makes around 650rwhp and would mate it to a TH400, custom driveshaft to a rear end which would be undecided. I have reasonable fab skills, can weld, will be doing most of the work myself.
I have no problem w/a 440 (use to have one long ago in late 70s), but I would wonder what it might cost to build one today.

Q: Which rear end/susp setup would be good for this car? How far can you push these unibodies and /or are there stiffening pieces out there. would love to see pics of this

INTERIOR:
I'll try to restore the current dash or buy another, add 2 buckets and some black carpet all inside a full cage.

Q: Any good places to buy restoration parts for the MOPARS?

SUSPENSION:
Any suggested setups for steering and front suspension? This is NOT going to a roadcourse.

Last, is this car worth $2500? All I would get out of it is the body when I'm done stripping it.

Thanks for reading
 
Putting an LS in that is a crime.

I'm loading up the truck right now.
 
My opinion is find a Chevy 2 and leave the mopar to people who don’t want the butcher it.

Jake
 
xLURKxDOGx said:
My opinion is find a Chevy 2 and leave the mopar to people who don’t want the butcher it.

Jake
Click to expand...

Am not trying to insult anyone w/the LS comments. Note, I grew up riding (and driving later years) in a 68 R/T Coronet w/my dad. Was there at the dealer to pick it up new. So, MOPAR could be said is my roots in performance cars.

Just looking for info...
 
The car is WELL worth the asking price. It would be a crime to put a chevy drive train in it in my opinion
 
LS .are light and lots and lots of parts ! Turbo it there are fast!
 
69dart416 said:
This post references this car from a craigslist ad:
69 DART

Hi, I'm a newbie here and looking for help on what you guys think the value of this car would be as is and for ideas on building.

This is a 1969 Dart 6cyl that a little old lady literally owned. I looked at the car and there really isn't rust to speak of besides surface stuff than can be blasted away. Trying to decide if the car is worth working with.

The purpose for the car would be for drag racing.

POWERTRAIN:
Don't scream brand loyalty, but I have a 416 cid 13.5:1 LS3 engine that makes around 650rwhp and would mate it to a TH400, custom driveshaft to a rear end which would be undecided. I have reasonable fab skills, can weld, will be doing most of the work myself.
I have no problem w/a 440 (use to have one long ago in late 70s), but I would wonder what it might cost to build one today.

Q: Which rear end/susp setup would be good for this car? How far can you push these unibodies and /or are there stiffening pieces out there. would love to see pics of this

INTERIOR:
I'll try to restore the current dash or buy another, add 2 buckets and some black carpet all inside a full cage.

Q: Any good places to buy restoration parts for the MOPARS?

SUSPENSION:
Any suggested setups for steering and front suspension? This is NOT going to a roadcourse.

Last, is this car worth $2500? All I would get out of it is the body when I'm done stripping it.

Thanks for reading
Click to expand...
 
So let's get this straight - you're asking us to evaluate an ad for a $2,500 beater that you could probably get for less if you waved cash in the guys' face then you want to put a GM drivetrain in it? Strange way to introduce yourself.

But OK, let's play along. That car looks pretty rust free which you confirm. If it was on the east coast it wouldn't last long so your perspective is slightly skewed because $2,500 is a good deal for that car. If I was still looking for a Dart, I'd snatch that up in a heartbeat and would probably be OK paying more for it including shipping it across the country since there does not appear to be any major surgery needed.

The guy is offering a big block setup pretty cheap that would fit without any fab work. Filled, stock block low deck strokers can push well over 700hp at the crank so you'd have to weigh that against whatever would be needed to put in a Brand X driveline. 20K for a low deck stroker would be kind of outrageous, I can't fathom it costing anywhere near that much. Hemi anything is ridiculously expensive, especially when you can make decent power with a wedge platform.

If you're making any sort of power, you essentially have two choices; Dana 60 or Ford 9". Clearly you don't care about brand loyalty so get the 9".

But seriously, why not just buy a Nova? All your stuff will fit without fabrication and you won't have to deal with all the dirty looks and people calling blasphemy for mixing brands. Putting a GM drivetrain in a 69 Dart is kinda like putting a kick me sign on your own back, you're inviting ridicule. Sure, some may like it and think it's cool but 99% of Mopar guys will hate it.

If you were at a level where you tried everything you could with a Mopar platform but couldn't keep up with the big dogs then OK. But to come here asking for opinions about something that most of us don't really take kindly to then say you don't want to hear any criticism about it? Good luck with that. What are you trying to prove? No one cares if it can be done.
 
Biff said:
LS .are light and lots and lots of parts ! Turbo it there are fast!
Click to expand...

I like your thinking Biff. I'm trying to assess this thing before I build it though. I was hoping there was a prefabbed bolt up/weld up rear end setup I could put in.
 
69dart416 said:
I understand. So what are the hot 440 and 426 setups?
Click to expand...
No decent Chevys around? If you want to different buy a el Camino and put a ford 9” with a 454 in it. That’s coooooollll.

Jake
 
Plus: California car no rust(you know that and Novas are hard to find). Easy to swap in a small block 340/360 but a bit harder to swap in BB Chrysler engine. Mopar Cross member $50-$150. You'll get more respect. Watch all the A body videos. Great Price. Perfect platform for a blazing A body.
Negatives: lots of work and money to go fast. LS engines are good. And when mated with a light car fast. When you are done with that LS swap post it; IM me and I'll show you what an iron head 340 will do.
But I will respect what ever you do. Go for it
 
rmchrgr said:
So let's get this straight - you're asking us to evaluate an ad for a $2,500 beater that you could probably get for less if you waved cash in the guys' face then you want to put a GM drivetrain in it? Strange way to introduce yourself.

But OK, let's play along. That car looks pretty rust free which you confirm. If it was on the east coast it wouldn't last long so your perspective is slightly skewed because $2,500 is a good deal for that car. If I was still looking for a Dart, I'd snatch that up in a heartbeat and would probably be OK paying more for it including shipping it across the country since there does not appear to be any major surgery needed.

The guy is offering a big block setup pretty cheap that would fit without any fab work. Filled, stock block low deck strokers can push well over 700hp at the crank so you'd have to weigh that against whatever would be needed to put in a Brand X driveline. 20K for a low deck stroker would be kind of outrageous, I can't fathom it costing anywhere near that much. Hemi anything is ridiculously expensive, especially when you can make decent power with a wedge platform.

If you're making any sort of power, you essentially have two choices; Dana 60 or Ford 9". Clearly you don't care about brand loyalty so get the 9".

But seriously, why not just buy a Nova? All your stuff will fit without fabrication and you won't have to deal with all the dirty looks and people calling blasphemy for mixing brands. Putting a GM drivetrain in a 69 Dart is kinda like putting a kick me sign on your own back, you're inviting ridicule. Sure, some may like it and think it's cool but 99% of Mopar guys will hate it.

If you were at a level where you tried everything you could with a Mopar platform but couldn't keep up with the big dogs then OK. But to come here asking for opinions about something that most of us don't really take kindly to then say you don't want to hear any criticism about it? Good luck with that. What are you trying to prove? No one cares if it can be done.
Click to expand...
It’s called hot rod’ing build **** make it fast!
 
Biff said:
It’s called hot rod’ing build **** make it fast!
Click to expand...

Sure, but reality is not so easy going or inclusive. I never said don't do it that's not my place, I'm just pointing out the facts and offering an opinion that was asked for by the OP.

Like I said, some here will be OK with it but most won't be. Take that as you wish.
 
Biff said:
It’s all mopar but don’t care I might even paint my engine bay black oooooooo.
Click to expand...
I’m bummed because I’ve wanted one here in phx and they always pop up ways away from me. I’m stoked that they’re still popping up for sale, that give me a little more hope that one will pop up.

Jake
 
Hey, if you want to have a good looking chevy, this is about the only way to do it
Slap in a Dana 60 or at this point, grab a ford 9 incher and go to town
 
69dart416 said:
... OK, chevy engine BAD, $2500 GOOD.
Click to expand...

What are your goals with this car? How fast are you trying to go? Is there a specific class you want to run? Giving some info on your plans might help us give you a better answer.
 
If you're making a drag car, why not buy something not so pristine and let this go to a daily driver type buyer. Hell, you'll likely end back halfing, tubbing, opening wheel wells, frame connecting, tubular k-member etc. This sounds like a nice made for driving car.

Just an opinion.
 
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