Getting ready to swap a 5.7 into my 73 Dart Swinger

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Ok on a huge budget and that may answer my own question but anyone have ideas what I should do for suspension and steering that wont cost big bucks? Im thinking that means I'll be replacing and rebuilding with stock style parts... I have 4 wheel disc brakes. How bouncey is the stock style shock absorbers, and torsion bar set up? Will I have fit up issues in the future with the torsion bars fitting next to the transmission? Sublimeone I saw the way you went for coilovers does that bar connect to a full cage or just the firewall and upper front frame? I read a thread on this about not using the regular mounts for the coilovers they sell to use stock mounts. They say the stock mounts are too weak and just to spend the big bucks on a full update to the front end/t-bars. Steering looks like a ***** to change to modern rack and pinion from a 09 charger that I have laying around. I'll consider the Fab work there... But I've never done steering and the radius of the turning and room in the well. Going to clean and por 15 everthing under the car/frame or will good ol' paint hold up? I live in southern California. anyway after under the car is prepped ima start putting the reworked stock k member in. Would like to get it rolling again asap. Thanks for all the help thus far. Oh and I'll be figuring out how to swap that sway bar..
 
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That sway bar is probably from a 72 older A body. That's why they welded it. The 73 and newer are different. The stock A body suspension is no Ferrari, but, it still offers a decent ride. With everything freshened, it will not bounce like a clown car .
 
Just a small update I ended up taking the entire front end apart and attacking all the spots of rust and crud and now I am going to patch up some spots where is was cut, the firewall, and floor board holes. Any one know what exactly the gage of sheet metal i should use? And about this crap in the wheel well... What the hell is this and will I have to re apply the entire front end is strip dowm to what the picture i will attach shows expept for a couple of hard to get spots. The engine bay had the same done but i sprayed it black with a spray can. Ive been told I did a good job but now I'm thinking about just getting the entire car shot with paint professionally. I got my welder and tank all set up at home so i plan to start patching up things as soon as i get stock. I'm going to order the afco 68 series coil overs I believe it was. And sent the bumper mounts and fender braces out to get sand blasted and powder coated. Just again thanks to everyone its not easy being 27 and taking this on with limited tools amd budget. But slowly making progress
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That sway bar is probably from a 72 older A body. That's why they welded it. The 73 and newer are different. The stock A body suspension is no Ferrari, but, it still offers a decent ride. With everything freshened, it will not bounce like a clown car .
Will stock steering work? ive made so much progress and been working all of my free time I'll try to update the entire front end has been coated under with type of frame and rust barrier the two patches that were cut for the previous 440 are patched I need more sheet metal tools hammers and dollies and ECT. Ive ordered Suspension amd ball joints and boots and bumpers to refresh everything stock as of right now. I need a sway bar as I'm not aure if i can salvage the one from the Franken k member I removed. I could use a cheap direction to go for brakes I'm not sure where these 4 wheel discs came from or what to do but I'm eager to get it rolling again start some engine work and moving on past the firewall for further body work.

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Yes, stock steering will work. Look for 1973 and newer A body Front suspension pieces. That includes all of the stock steering pieces from those years, too.
 
I have looked thru this thread because I have wanted to put a 5.7 with a 6 speed automatic transmission into my 68 Dart. I found the 2012 combo at a swap meet. I had hoped that this had been done enough times already that there would be easy to find info to complete this. Apparently that's not the case.
 
I have looked thru this thread because I have wanted to put a 5.7 with a 6 speed automatic transmission into my 68 Dart. I found the 2012 combo at a swap meet. I had hoped that this had been done enough times already that there would be easy to find info to complete this. Apparently that's not the case.
This is just my personal project taken on in my spare time the info is all here amd on several other websites and articles. If there is some info you are looking for maybe ask a question good luck with the swap its a bear.
 
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I have looked thru this thread because I have wanted to put a 5.7 with a 6 speed automatic transmission into my 68 Dart. I found the 2012 combo at a swap meet. I had hoped that this had been done enough times already that there would be easy to find info to complete this. Apparently that's not the case.

The engine swap is easy. The six speed is going to take major surgery of the torsion bar crossmember and floor pan.
 
The fitness of the mechanics is not the most worrisome part of this project. I'm trying to figure out the wiring and controls of this motor and transmission combo. I don't start a project until I can see a path to completion. I would hate to get boxed in and have no way out.
 
Just some things I've learned so far when installing this hemi in a Dart. If the car had a /6, the first things are to increase the strength of the body. Frame connectors and torque boxes are extremely good upgrades. Replace the rear end with a 8 3/4 at minimum. The torque of the Hemi will blow up a 7 1/4 rear end in the blink of an eye.
Replacement of the fuel tank with the correct fuel pump is a given. The power steering box has to go bye bye. The list is long and this project is not for someone who gives up easily.
 
Just some things I've learned so far when installing this hemi in a Dart. If the car had a /6, the first things are to increase the strength of the body. Frame connectors and torque boxes are extremely good upgrades. Replace the rear end with a 8 3/4 at minimum. The torque of the Hemi will blow up a 7 1/4 rear end in the blink of an eye.
Replacement of the fuel tank with the correct fuel pump is a given. The power steering box has to go bye bye. The list is long and this project is not for someone who gives up easily.
Yep you got the idea but if this is motivating at all I'm 27 and took a 3 month apprenticeship at a amazing body shop am a new career welder and not so much the knowledge of engine building as much as the passion and the basics with litte experience.. I think ive read the stock steering will work with the right headers? Might have to verify that soon. Just missing the oil pan amd waiting for delivery of new suspension parts for the front and only missing milodon oil pan for the engine mock up to begin only thing I'm thinking of changing the route in is the trans from auto to manual for a one and done swap no bs with this giant trans... Possibly even built 904 or 727 there is an adapter plate amd ive read built properly can handle something like 500hp. And frame connectors are cheap just weld them in or if ur not a welder I would fit up and clean the body and other joint locations to the sub frames amd have them welded worst part is the transmission swap. Rear ends im no where hnear close too but I'm going to pull something at the yard when I see it roll in I'll go the first day and pull it or spend decent money there. Look to support from these guys at fabo.
 
Yep you got the idea but if this is motivating at all I'm 27 and took a 3 month apprenticeship at a amazing body shop am a new career welder and not so much the knowledge of engine building as much as the passion and the basics with litte experience.. I think ive read the stock steering will work with the right headers? Might have to verify that soon. Just missing the oil pan amd waiting for delivery of new suspension parts for the front and only missing milodon oil pan for the engine mock up to begin only thing I'm thinking of changing the route in is the trans from auto to manual for a one and done swap no bs with this giant trans... Possibly even built 904 or 727 there is an adapter plate amd ive read built properly can handle something like 500hp. And frame connectors are cheap just weld them in or if ur not a welder I would fit up and clean the body and other joint locations to the sub frames amd have them welded worst part is the transmission swap. Rear ends im no where hnear close too but I'm going to pull something at the yard when I see it roll in I'll go the first day and pull it or spend decent money there. Look to support from these guys at fabo.
What automatic transmission were you going to use? Also, If you want to save a ton of money on a rear end, check out the 8.8 ford conversion. I did this for a fraction of the cost of a 8 3/4.
 
What automatic transmission were you going to use? Also, If you want to save a ton of money on a rear end, check out the 8.8 ford conversion. I did this for a fraction of the cost of a 8 3/4.
I was going to use the stock one that came out of the dodge ram with the engine I'll make a final desision when I get there
 
Get your wiring harness from Hotwire. It may not be in your budget but is well worth it in the long run. If you are using the Ram motor and trans

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Get your wiring harness from Hotwire. It may not be in your budget but is well worth it in the long run. If you are using the Ram motor and trans

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Been waiting for the right time to drop that bomb on the wife, it's definitely not in the budget and ive been told to put this on hold so I'm not eating out while at work and spending that little by little on all the suspension parts I ordered haha. Next I'll be installing frame connectors should be able to get that done in the next month the car is actually kept abput 15 miles away atmy dad's house so there is some serious dedication being put in here to be making as much progress as i am. On another note i made some hellcat headers the other day 8 sets to be exact I clipped a photo of a few of one side cause I cant just have a photo shoot in the factory.
 
You made them....sweet. You should make your own oil pan. Then make me a road race pan for me as I have yet to find one for the 5.7
Milodon makes them but they are pricey and i hear the welds dont look good for the price if I could get my hands on one I could get the measurements n templates out there but looks like I'll be buying one around 225 I have discount with ebay but again I'm doing so much body resto that the days of driving this or building powerplant seem far away.
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Ram headers short tube again I just grab a quick picture here and there and send the basket to shipping and they await the other side so I never really have both sides at the same time unless there is some strange reason..
 
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Just depends on the day I guess whats been fab'd up what I have to Fab up what orders need to leave yesterday... Haha I believe this was the hellcats
 
The oil pan you are looking for: Looks like a work of art!

Purchase info - CUSTOM Moroso Gen.3 Hemi oil pan by Cuda SRT8
Unfortunately I have the stock k frame for right now. Almost ready to paint after a few more patches amd one large ordeal in my drivers rear quarter panel. Suspention parts are all in and once rolling engine mock up will begin. I have a about 200 bucks every 2 weeks to put into this thing and thats pushing it but I refuae to let tyis car just sit. A ton of support from all of you guys helps fabo is the best! Thanks again to everyone. One question I do have is how to modify the 8.8 rear end to fit...?? I have one available to buy cheap
 
You will not have to modify it, I shortened 1 side and got another short axle. But others state they do not need to be shortened just perches relocated.
 
Look at the 8.8 swap sticky thread. Lots of info on it. Replace your pinion bearings in it.
 
Update car is rolling again and I'm moving past the engine bay body work and installed and torqued all suspension in. Grom the fire wall back the bottom of the car needs to be fi ished being cleaned sealed and under coated. Somewhere in the middle of all the its goi mg to see a frame table get checked and im going to weld in sone frame connectors. Oil pan and pick up from milodon has been ordered i payed about 300 for both the real pain 8n the *** was getting the threads out for the block off plate. I used an extractor bit and vice grip its regular threaded and it is in there good and tight. Goodluck to anyone who does not just weld a nut on it. It will crack so be careful mine cracked a little i was worried for a moment. I gound a donor car for my rear end which has a dent but i did get board and hammered alot of it out and it looks much better now.almost makes me sad to want to cut a big piece out of a 72 body thats in decent shape. Let me know if thats is sacreligious..
 
Just to make sure I’m following you, does your car have power steering or it does not? I think the consensus is you can NOT keep factory PS when installing a Hemi.

Additionally, what are you doing about AC, did you relocate the drivers side mount?

And last but not least, I am curious what you are going to do about the oil filter location.....
 
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