Viper engine and transmission in my 1974 Dart Swinger

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MoparMuscleGuy

MoparMuscleGuy

Still plays with cars.
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I would like to get some opinions on a possible engine and transmission swap in my 74 Dart Swinger. I have an opportunity to get a viper engine and transmission from a 2005 SRT truck with 8000 miles. I haven't even begun to take measurments yet to see if its even possible. Anyone out there put a Viper engine and Transmission in an A Body Car. This would be a really fun project for me:-D. If I find it's possible, I will share all the progress with you all. Thanks, Christopher P.S. Photo of a 2005 SRT V-10 Viper engine and transmission.

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I would love to see someone who is working on this also. I always wanted to do this but I do not have the time now to try it, hope someone out there has some good feed back on this post.
 
I considered doing something similar at some point, but was told that the truck engines are not worth using. That's why you can get them a lot cheaper than a car engine.
 
Well even if the measurements don't work out there is a firewall there to cut :D
 
jeryst said:
I considered doing something similar at some point, but was told that the truck engines are not worth using. That's why you can get them a lot cheaper than a car engine.
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I dunno. The thing would still have a stout torque curve that looks like a cross section of Kansas. It could be a bunch of fun in a 3200-lb street car. It'd probably absolutely require an electric fan due to space restrictions, but I'm not sure what the dimensions really are. My experience with the V-10 is conspicuously lacking.
 
i knew a guy a few years ago putting a v-10 in a 69 charger there was a lot of cutting and fabricating involved to the inner fender , firewall and custom engine mounts. then he moved away so i dont know how it ended up. he had a lot of hours on makin it fit and a lot of measuring and test fitting. i have faith it can be done but it will probably take alot of work , but worth it i think.
 
With a cutting torch and a welder anything can be done! Heres a 454 in the back of a Fiero, your not going to let those GM guys out do you are you?

FieroDragster.jpg
 
I have looked into it, deeply. It's definitely doable, cutting the firewall, moving the radiator forward... It will fit. The reason I'm not doing it is because it's around 120 pounds heavier than my 5.7 Hemi and will be too much forward weight on my car. I'm building a car for the twisties and that is far too much weight ahead of the spindle to maintain reasonable balance. If you look at a Viper chassis, the entire engine is behind the spindle center line. That's part of the reason the car is so balanced.

I can buy everything I need for my 5.7 Hemi, engine, controls, etc, build it to 500 HP, or whatever the Viper engine your looking at is, and have a more balanced, better performing car, for less money; typically (depends on the deal you can get on the engine). The only benefit I saw in the idea is the WOW factor when popping the hood.

This was a hard decision for me because the vision for my 69 Dart, is essentially a squared off Viper with a back seat. I'm using Viper suspension all around, trans, interior bits, etc, but it's just not worth the added weight in front for me.

Personal opinion here, if all your doing is going straight, doing car shows, or basic daily driving, it's not worth it. Even then, it's probably only best suited for car show duty. Just my .02.
 
HAUK67 said:
I would love to see someone who is working on this also. I always wanted to do this but I do not have the time now to try it, hope someone out there has some good feed back on this post.
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I've always wanted to do this too. I'm gathering info to make a decision.


Tony Fields said:
I will be book marking this thread Christopher.

That would be quite the sleeper!


Tony
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Yes it would brother. It would be the king of all sleepers.


jeryst said:
I considered doing something similar at some point, but was told that the truck engines are not worth using. That's why you can get them a lot cheaper than a car engine.
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I know about as much about the viper engine as the surface of Pluto. I didn't know their was a difference. That's why I'm asking a lot of questions.

swisswill said:
I have looked into it, deeply. It's definitely doable, cutting the firewall, moving the radiator forward... It will fit. The reason I'm not doing it is because it's around 120 pounds heavier than my 5.7 Hemi and will be too much forward weight on my car. I'm building a car for the twisties and that is far too much weight ahead of the spindle to maintain reasonable balance. If you look at a Viper chassis, the entire engine is behind the spindle center line. That's part of the reason the car is so balanced.

I can buy everything I need for my 5.7 Hemi, engine, controls, etc, build it to 500 HP, or whatever the Viper engine your looking at is, and have a more balanced, better performing car, for less money; typically (depends on the deal you can get on the engine). The only benefit I saw in the idea is the WOW factor when popping the hood.

This was a hard decision for me because the vision for my 69 Dart, is essentially a squared off Viper with a back seat. I'm using Viper suspension all around, trans, interior bits, etc, but it's just not worth the added weight in front for me.

Personal opinion here, if all your doing is going straight, doing car shows, or basic daily driving, it's not worth it. Even then, it's probably only best suited for car show duty. Just my .02.
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Thanks for your post brother, I have always wanted to do this and your post was very informative:read2:. I new there would be a substantial amount of work and fabrication and I can do all my own work/fabrication needed. If it was easy, everyone would do it. If you can think of anything else I need to think through please post your thoughts. Thanks, Christopher
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-the-nunrunner-v10-powered-eight-door-dodge/
Someone put one in a 62 dart. It's a truck v10.I'm sure the firewall got moved back at least. the real problem is you will have to get a computer for it cuz there is no1 that has made the viper carbed yet. I read somewhere awhile back about one guy that took 2 audi distributors and somehow macgyver'd it to work. Putting that much into it though I would assume you wanted a fuel injected v10 anyway
nunrunner_ebay_10.jpg
 
The guy that did this car is a vary good friend of mine.He was the one who gave me my 6speed trans.The fire wall is in the stock location on this car.They are now doing a 68 dart convertable with a viper engine.I will keep you all updated. Matk
moparornocar72 said:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/ebay-find-of-the-day-the-nunrunner-v10-powered-eight-door-dodge/
Someone put one in a 62 dart. It's a truck v10.I'm sure the firewall got moved back at least. the real problem is you will have to get a computer for it cuz there is no1 that has made the viper carbed yet. I read somewhere awhile back about one guy that took 2 audi distributors and somehow macgyver'd it to work. Putting that much into it though I would assume you wanted a fuel injected v10 anyway
nunrunner_ebay_10.jpg
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Looking at the Viper engine in the Challenger, and the V10 in the Dart, they look like two completely different animals. I was told they do not put the car version in any trucks.
 
I'm going to take measurments and talk to some local people/friends this week about this possible swap. I added a picture of a SRT Viper engine and transmission.
 
I'll keep you posted if I can think of anything else regarding the swap. It would definitely be cool to see it happen, actually surprised it hasn't already happened. You may want to pick up a truck V10 just for mock-up. You can find them pretty cheap. Best of luck on the swap if you go that route.
 
It will be a lot of work but worth it when done. You are going to need to do some trans tunel mods to make the T-56 fit. I would think that set up would be a few hundred pouds less than a Viper.
 
How about in the back of an early Barracuda like the Hemi Under Glass. You could call it a Snake in the Glass? :toothy10::toothy10::toothy10:
 
That would be interesting and would look a lot like the 360 Modena, if you do not mind the Ferrari reference. The puns can use a little bit of work, however.

oldwirebender said:
How about in the back of an early Barracuda like the Hemi Under Glass. You could call it a Snake in the Glass? :toothy10::toothy10::toothy10:
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