68 twin turbo dart project.

[turbodart68]

Here is the start of the fuel injection conversion. My buddy did the machine work for free (what a friend!) and it took him 7 hours to set up and drill everything. Unfortunately I didn't take any after pictures because we were working day and night to get it done.

Mopar intake for W5 Dominator flange. The fuel rails were blanks from Aeromotive and needed to be cut down drilled and the ends threaded and stepped for the O-ring fittings.

He also machined the ARP stud to fit under my oil pump. The bolt for the rear main cap is under the oil pump and you have to use a stock bolt to fit it. I didn't like that so we came up with this fix. The ARP nut was .400 too tall with the washer. So I threw the washer out and he machined another .160 out of the nut and then machined down the stud. A lot of time on his part to fix this problem, ARP should offer this up for us Mopar guys. Hmmmm maybe I will fire off an email.

 

[turbodart68]

I know these engine posts are kinda boring so I will try to get to the point. I measure every clearance possible to minimize surprises and I really like to throttle my stuff so its perfect for piece of mind.

So to give you a frame of reference. I started to put the engine together on Monday and we installed the motor and trans on Thursday. Less than a week before we had to leave for Dragweek. Insane to think back and think that I was actually going to make it.

 

[turbodart68]

I bought my alternator and starter from Powermaster because I didn't want to risk breakage with parts store parts. Lately everything I get is Chinese junk from parts stores. So far they all work perfect. At 2 am we called it a night with the engine bolted in. The mid plate (motor mount) and trans shield make putting the engine in a nightmare! I am definitely going to find another way. This thing should go in and out like a credit card being that it has a motor plate and no radiator support go over.

Next morning 7 am to start the madness all over again.

 

[turbodart68]

Here is the glass install and the dash restoration. I used the Rustoleum suede paint for the top coat. It was a ***** to get right. Basically you have to fog it from far away 18" or so and do about 6-7 coats dry and in different patterns to make the coverage look half way decent.

 

[turbodart68]

The pictures don't really do it justice. I bought new bezels from Classic Industries and cleaned and painted the needles on the gauges because they weren't as vibrant as I would like. The gauges are in perfect shape so I reused them. Even though everything is monitored through the Holley Digital dash I like the look of the stock dash. I also cut up my beautiful original dash pad to fit around the cage. It fits like a glove, I couldn't be happier. Then the aftermarket steering column went in after I painted it with the suede paint. At the end I installed the Holley dash and the Motionworks turn signal switch. Right after that I installed the shifter so that I can make passes lol.

 

[turbodart68]

As a last note here, I put the ACC carpet kit in after sitting in the box for almost 20 years and then laid it out on the floor for a week. It went in and fit surprisingly well. I had to cut 15 or so slits in it for the various bars and seat belts. I am super happy with how it turned out as well. The knobs on the dash are the originals that were really crusty, so I took some steel wool to them and they look like new amazing!

 

[turbodart68]

Here is the fuel system and trunk details. We built this car to drive as well as race. One thing that sidelines a lot of strip cars that masquerade as street cars is the fuel pump. So we built two fuel systems. One for street, which has an in tank pump from Aeromotive. The 20 gallon fuel cell was divided by welding a wall in the middle of it and adding another filler opening. I also welded the fuel fittings into the tank because no matter how hard we tried the bolt through bulk head fittings wouldn't stop leaking. So we have a 12.5 gallon pump gas side with the A1000 pump and the race gas side with 7.5 gallons and an external Aeromotive 3.5GPM pump for the C16 side. The tank on the passenger side is the 5 gallon intercooler reservoir which will be filled with ice water for the strip.

 

[turbodart68]

Here is the new tires. After a lot of discussion I went with the Mickey Thompson Sportsman SR on the front and Hoosier slicks in the rear (33x16x15). The front tires are heavier than the race style ones but I didn't want to change the fronts too when we arrive at the track.

 

[turbodart68]

Sometimes its the little things that motivate you. I was seriously doubting that we were going to make it to drag week. So when the glass guy came by and put the windshield and backlight in I was stoked to say the least.

The same day the NHRA tech inspector came by and certified my chassis.

 

[turbodart68]

And now for the long and tedious process of welding the headers.

 

[turbodart68]

Waste gate flanges.

 

[turbodart68]

So I welded the headers and once that was done I could bolt on a bunch of other items and it starts to look like a car.

 

[turbodart68]

Now the front clip can go on.

And decklid.

 

[turbodart68]

After a week of 20 hour days, its 1 1/2 days till we leave for Atlanta for Dragweek, we roll it out and load it onto the trailer to take it to Hansen's race cars for the rear suspension alignment and scaling.

 

[HemiDenny]

What a jaw dropper!!! I would love to see your Dart up close and personal.

You are fortunate to have Hansens shop near by and involved in your build. I stare at Gary's work everyday on the Butch Leal /California Flash / Direct Connection B/MP HemiDuster restoration and see his craftsmanship and innovation from 1974, I can only imagine what he can do today.

Good luck with your Dart and please keep us updated.

 

[408 swinger]

Absolute work of art! Thanks for taking the time to share!

 

[turbodart68]

Absolute work of art! Thanks for taking the time to share!

Thank you! I’m not really good at doing this but I do love to read all the success stories here and on other forums. So I figured I’d contribute.

What a jaw dropper!!! I would love to see your Dart up close and personal.

You are fortunate to have Hansens shop near by and involved in your build. I stare at Gary's work everyday on the Butch Leal /California Flash / Direct Connection B/MP HemiDuster restoration and see his craftsmanship and innovation from 1974, I can only imagine what he can do today.

Good luck with your Dart and please keep us updated.

Thanks Denny. That’s quite the compliment coming from such a talented fabricator like yourself. We have met at Carlisle a few years back and I got to see your work up close. Gary is a pleasure to do business with. He has been doing chassis work for almost 50 years! Crazy. You might see me out there one day at one of the dragweek’s. I forget where your from but we will be there next year, it’s in the Maryland area I think.

 

[mopardude318]

Wow. Nice build. Go beat some brand x and represent.

 

[turbodart68]

Here is the trans cooler and exhaust off the turbo.

 

[turbodart68]

Here is the finished engine shot.

 

[turbodart68]

I stopped taking photos at the end for two reasons. One, it didn't show much progress because we were ironing out the details and two we were thrashing so hard that I didn't think about it or had time to do it. Here are pics of the finished product which now has changed a bit since these were taken.

 

[autoxcuda]

I heard it start up off the trailer on Saturday morning at Fall Fling show all the way over in the Swap Meet section.

Could hear the turbos spool a little

 

[turbodart68]

I am looking for the trim that goes on the interior of the door that holds the top of the door panel. Anybody got one?

 

[dgibby]

I am looking for the trim that goes on the interior of the door that holds the top of the door panel. Anybody got one?

How many are you looking for?
I have one for sure, maybe two if you need them both.

 

[turbodart68]

How many are you looking for?
I have one for sure, maybe two if you need them both.

Thanks, yeah I need both sides. Just the fronts for a 2 door.