Help evaluating this car...69 DART

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Even if trans tunnel and t bar crossmember is messed with, a new crossmember and floorpan could be stitched back in, or at least repaired. Those parts are available. Thats the plus to all this.

The minus of course for a buyer would be having to re engine it with a mopar V8, and swap a mopar k frame back in it, repair a trans tunnel and t bar crossmember, or replace those parts, maybe hunt down a mopar tranny support mount. This will cost you when you sell it.

I know if i was a potential buyer of a bastard child like that i'd be deducting the cost and time needed for everything i would have to do to unfuck it.
 
moparmat2000 said:
Even if trans tunnel and t bar crossmember is messed with, a new crossmember and floorpan could be stitched back in, or at least repaired. Those parts are available. Thats the plus to all this.

The minus of course for a buyer would be having to re engine it with a mopar V8, and swap a mopar k frame back in it, repair a trans tunnel and t bar crossmember, or replace those parts, maybe hunt down a mopar tranny support mount. This will cost you when you sell it.

I know if i was a potential buyer of a bastard child like that i'd be deducting the cost and time needed for everything i would have to do to unfuck it.
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Sure, but doesn't the modern "hemi" need the same floor adjustments?
 
I am cringing at just putting an xploder 8.8 under my kids barracuda, but A body 8.25s are non existant out in my area anymore, and after spending $1,300 to piece together an 8.75 for my 67 i said no. Economics dictated that. Going economical route for his car. Will still be putting a 318/A904 combo in it. Still going to have a mopar engine and trans.

Nobody ever looks at the rear axle and says what is it but they do that with the engine because most people at car shows have the hood popped
 
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moparmat2000 said:
Probably but it's less likely to get kicked to the curb when the car is sold than an LS motor would
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I would buy that car in a heartbeat with a Gen 3 Hemi under the hood. With a LS, I would look the other way! (and run)
 
My whole point is as op stated he already has the LS motor and apparently likes the Dart Body Style. Another Point..Yes this is " For A-Bodies only " But is says nothing about having to be a purist to participate. How about we answer his basic question which is " Is the car worth $2500 ?" instead of ripping him for drive train choice. I could understand if it was going to be a restoration but it's going to be a Drag Car. Who gives a rats *** what engine is in it as long as it's fast. I know I'm in the minority here but that's nothing new. :)
 
Back in Time said:
My whole point is as op stated he already has the LS motor and apparently likes the Dart Body Style. Another Point..Yes this is " For A-Bodies only " But is says nothing about having to be a purist to participate. How about we answer his basic question which is " Is the car worth $2500 ?" instead of ripping him for drive train choice. I could understand if it was going to be a restoration but it's going to be a Drag Car. Who gives a rats *** what engine is in it as long as it's fast. I know I'm in the minority here but that's nothing new. :)
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Just want to clarify something,.... My comment of "This IS ForAbodiesonly" wasn't directed towards the original poster. It was to the person that made the comment about people being "Elitist Snobs". My point was that commenters weren't being snobs, they just didn't want to see someone put an LS motor in a Dart, which shouldn't be surprising considering it is a sight comprised of people who like A-body Mopars.

I saw numerous people offer suggestions for other options, as well as saying they agree the LS is a good foundation and cheap to build good power. I'm just saying if you are going to come into an A-body fan site and talk about cutting apart a clean A-body and drop in a Chevy drivetrain, you might expect the purists to suggest dropping the LS into a different car, or go another Mopar option.

Let's not forget that the original post said:
69dart416 said:
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.
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.
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That tells me the OP was not completely set on the LS, and was open to hearing other options!
 
heres an answer.

Sure its worth that for a solid car

Its a shame to make it into a race car.

Even more of a shame with a brand x engine in it

You can find half stripped dart bodies on the parts car sale forum for that type of project. Already pre stripped, prob cheap to near free to haul off. Especially if your gonna back half it fiberglass fender it, and stick plexiglass windows in it. Use a car with a rotted *** end to back half it.

That would make a nice 340 clone.
 
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Frnknsteen said:
Just want to clarify something,.... My comment of "This IS ForAbodiesonly" wasn't directed towards the original poster. It was to the person that made the comment about people being "Elitist Snobs". My point was that commenters weren't being snobs, they just didn't want to see someone put an LS motor in a Dart, which shouldn't be surprising considering it is a sight comprised of people who like A-body Mopars.

I saw numerous people offer suggestions for other options, as well as saying they agree the LS is a good foundation and cheap to build good power. I'm just saying if you are going to come into an A-body fan site and talk about cutting apart a clean A-body and drop in a Chevy drivetrain, you might expect the purists to suggest dropping the LS into a different car, or go another Mopar option.

Let's not forget that the original post said:


That tells me the OP was not completely set on the LS, and was open to hearing other options!
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Yep i agree, it would be like buying a clean camaro, or nova , then going to a chevy site and saying i got this 6.1 hellcat engine i want to put in this camaro or nova. Chevy guys on that site would go just as nuts.
 
Like I said I'm on the outside looking in on this subject ( been here long enough to know that ) Suggestions are good but condemnations are not necessary. Look we're not going to agree and I don't want to take this thread off track any more than I already have..You have a good day..I know I will.
 
So if your gonna buy a clean resto candidate, and strip out most of its pieces and are left with an empty shell and pay $2,500 for it, then why not buy somebodys stripped out empty shell from the parts cars forum for a few hundred to possibly free to remove, and turn that into your drag car. Who cares what drivetrain goes in it. The parts car shell is pre stripped, and at a near free price, it frees up money you will need for other pieces to the project.

Not enough meat on the bone on that dart to recoup some of your cash when you remove what you dont want. Slant 6 drivetrains, drum brakes, and 7.25" rears arent all that popular. I offered up a complete slanty drivetrain on here for $50 come and take it home. No buyers after 6 months. On the scrap trailer it went.

I dont think anybody has a problem with the LS so much except putting it in that clean of a car. Especially if you plan on making a race car out of it.
 
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moparmat2000 said:
I am cringing at just putting an xploder 8.8 under my kids barracuda, but A body 8.25s are non existant out in my area anymore, and after spending $1,300 to piece together an 8.75 for my 67 i said no. Economics dictated that. Going economical route for his car. Will still be putting a 318/A904 combo in it. Still going to have a mopar engine and trans.

Nobody ever looks at the rear axle and says what is it but they do that with the engine because most people at car shows have the hood popped
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raced Mustangs in past. The 8.8 is a weak rear end, but ok for spirited daily driving.
 
Frnknsteen said:
Just want to clarify something,.... My comment of "This IS ForAbodiesonly" wasn't directed towards the original poster. It was to the person that made the comment about people being "Elitist Snobs". My point was that commenters weren't being snobs, they just didn't want to see someone put an LS motor in a Dart, which shouldn't be surprising considering it is a sight comprised of people who like A-body Mopars.

I saw numerous people offer suggestions for other options, as well as saying they agree the LS is a good foundation and cheap to build good power. I'm just saying if you are going to come into an A-body fan site and talk about cutting apart a clean A-body and drop in a Chevy drivetrain, you might expect the purists to suggest dropping the LS into a different car, or go another Mopar option.

Let's not forget that the original post said:


That tells me the OP was not completely set on the LS, and was open to hearing other options!
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I had a 60s Imperial with a 440 in it. I loved that motor. Major torque.
Do the 400 and 440 share the same mounting requirements?
 
Lots of guys using em on here no problems. A mild hopped up 318 and shift kitted A904 and a 3.73 geared 8.8 w traction lok and rear discs, and dippy front discs should be plenty fine for a 17 year old boy.
 
69dart416 said:
I had a 60s Imperial with a 440 in it. I loved that motor. Major torque.
Do the 400 and 440 share the same mounting requirements?
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Yes. Same motor ears. If going B/RB just get schumacher mount kit, and run it w S/B or slanty K.
 
OEM A body B/RB cars used a C body block, and special mounts. Very hard to find, and expensive. C body blocks had side mount ears like LA and B/RB, but also had drilled and tapped holes on left front of the block.
 
69dart416 said:
I had a 60s Imperial with a 440 in it. I loved that motor. Major torque.
Do the 400 and 440 share the same mounting requirements?
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Yes, but 400 is a lowdeck, so slightly shorter and narrower than a 440. Easy bolt in options for either one.
 
Back in Time said:
My whole point is as op stated he already has the LS motor and apparently likes the Dart Body Style. Another Point..Yes this is " For A-Bodies only " But is says nothing about having to be a purist to participate. How about we answer his basic question which is " Is the car worth $2500 ?" instead of ripping him for drive train choice. I could understand if it was going to be a restoration but it's going to be a Drag Car. Who gives a rats *** what engine is in it as long as it's fast. I know I'm in the minority here but that's nothing new. :)
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Yes, like body style, have excellent motor. Didn't the Dart come with a 440 too? Going to look at engines next few days and see whats out there, what power is poss and $ to do it.
 
69 dart 440 GTS approx 500 cars made

a stock A body 440 K frame and engine mount brackets and the C body 440 with tapped provision in left front side of block will be costly.

Schumacher creative services makes adaptor motor mounts to drop in any B/RB 400 or 440 engine in place of a slant sux, or small block in place of a slant sux, using the slanty k frame. This is the cheapest easiest way to do this.
 
If i can recommend a 410 stroker 360. Fits fenderwells easier. Easier to get parts for. Is lighter on an aluminum diet. A big block on aluminum diet will weigh as much as an all iron small block.
 
diymirage said:
what about this, the OP is in florida, right?
what if everyone who said "that car is to nice to race" and everyone who said "yuck, an LS engine" donated $10, i bet we could buy him this one, and move on with our lives

[FOR SALE] - 1969 Dart Custom Project
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Yep thats the ticket. Not interested in a go fund me though. Pre stripped, it saves you $2000 you woulda spent, and the time to dissassemble it. Go get it.
 
BTW i think the xploder 8.8 may be a bit beefier than the mustang. I got an 8.8 trak lok under my 07 GT it doesnt look as chunky as the case on the xploder one.
 
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