10 years and $25k to go!
So here is my 1973 Dodge Dart Sport. Being that im 18 and this is my first "on my own" build should propose a few challanges.
A little background on the car. It was raced and ran 10.20's at 131ish with 1.41 to 1.43 60'. It had a 440 with iron heads, roller cam, 1050, 727 trans, 4.30 gear with a 8.75 rear end. Sense then the previous owner was planning to put a roll cage in it, but plans changed and the car just sat. Sense then I had bought the car (which comes with hood, doors, trunk lid, fenders, and some other odds and ends) and I have been building caster for it. My plans for it is to stay with a 440 all motor powerplant. I'm hoping to get into the mid 9's with it, but I'll worry about that road when I get there.
First and most important I will put a 10 point roll cage for obvious reasons. Then from there hopefully a 440 will be easy to find from a old motor home. I have done a lot of research and I've found that 1978 440 blocks seem to be the strongest block of its production. There's always the chance of getting a bad block but that can happen with anything. As far as internals are concerned, still unsure about what will go in it. I will support the massive 440 with front and rear motor plates instead of motor mounts.
A front tubular k-frame will support the front end with a rack and pinion steering set up. I am still unsure if I want to use a 8.75 or a Dana 60. I've read that the power I want to make will destory a 8.75 but some guys have said its worked perfect for their set up.
Now for a body discussion. The body does have rust, although none is rusted through the metal. So either I can take a chance to sandblast it and possibly blow through the metal but that would be the quickest way to strip it of all rust. My second choice is to spends 10's of hours sanding it all by hand but satisfaction of knowing I dont have to spend $700. This car does have a sun roof that I plan on covering up. I will use black matt chassis saver for the underside to give it some protection from rust and exhaust sut. The color of the car itself will be either a PPG Willow Green or Pearl Lightning Blue.
Overall, this is definatly a project car hence the thread title. As a 18 year old, this car will serve as the car my father and I were suppose to build together, but as life goes on things change and prorities make diapers first and racecars second. I will be post pictures throughout my progress and I hope everyone who reads this can chip in some well needed advice! Thank you to everyone!
So here is my 1973 Dodge Dart Sport. Being that im 18 and this is my first "on my own" build should propose a few challanges.
A little background on the car. It was raced and ran 10.20's at 131ish with 1.41 to 1.43 60'. It had a 440 with iron heads, roller cam, 1050, 727 trans, 4.30 gear with a 8.75 rear end. Sense then the previous owner was planning to put a roll cage in it, but plans changed and the car just sat. Sense then I had bought the car (which comes with hood, doors, trunk lid, fenders, and some other odds and ends) and I have been building caster for it. My plans for it is to stay with a 440 all motor powerplant. I'm hoping to get into the mid 9's with it, but I'll worry about that road when I get there.
First and most important I will put a 10 point roll cage for obvious reasons. Then from there hopefully a 440 will be easy to find from a old motor home. I have done a lot of research and I've found that 1978 440 blocks seem to be the strongest block of its production. There's always the chance of getting a bad block but that can happen with anything. As far as internals are concerned, still unsure about what will go in it. I will support the massive 440 with front and rear motor plates instead of motor mounts.
A front tubular k-frame will support the front end with a rack and pinion steering set up. I am still unsure if I want to use a 8.75 or a Dana 60. I've read that the power I want to make will destory a 8.75 but some guys have said its worked perfect for their set up.
Now for a body discussion. The body does have rust, although none is rusted through the metal. So either I can take a chance to sandblast it and possibly blow through the metal but that would be the quickest way to strip it of all rust. My second choice is to spends 10's of hours sanding it all by hand but satisfaction of knowing I dont have to spend $700. This car does have a sun roof that I plan on covering up. I will use black matt chassis saver for the underside to give it some protection from rust and exhaust sut. The color of the car itself will be either a PPG Willow Green or Pearl Lightning Blue.
Overall, this is definatly a project car hence the thread title. As a 18 year old, this car will serve as the car my father and I were suppose to build together, but as life goes on things change and prorities make diapers first and racecars second. I will be post pictures throughout my progress and I hope everyone who reads this can chip in some well needed advice! Thank you to everyone!
