Cannot decide on project direction 73 Duster 340

Project decision, H code 73 340 duster, FABO decide for me

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    13
  • Poll closed .
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Sprayin73

Sprayin73

Dude hold my beer, watch this...
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Have a new project H code 73 duster 4 speed, non numbers matching. Do I restore to stock like condition, or go pro street. It already is somewhat pro street, but not cut up. I will not cut it up regardless. I just cannot decide a direction. I’m trying to post a poll, my first one. Help me pick a direction FABO community. Pro street or stock like resto?
 
Pro street, better brakes, better engine, better tires, better suspension

Altogether a safer and funner ride
(Just keep the wheels at 15 or less)
 
Sprayin73 said:
Have a new project H code 73 duster 4 speed, non numbers matching. Do I restore to stock like condition, or go pro street. It already is somewhat pro street, but not cut up. I will not cut it up regardless. I just cannot decide a direction. I’m trying to post a poll, my first one. Help me pick a direction FABO community. Pro street or stock like resto?
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I voted pro street, it's already non matching. Its easier to get parts if they don't have to be OE style.
 
Resale values on a pro street are in the toilet...why spend more to get less?
 
Build it like "YOU" want it, if it makes you happy, that's all that really counts.
 
Your money, time, and car. Make it what it takes to make you smile..... :)
I've owned one "H" code car in my life, '69 cuda 4 speed. I sold it. All my other A-bodies were (are) /6 or 318 cars. Then, you never have a fret over building a car the way you want it to be.
 
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My Son new member DenverMopar recently bought a slant 6 (1974 Duster) and I told him to build it how he wants it to be. In three weeks he bought a 340, 8 cylinder K member, floor pan, dash pad, manual steering shaft, seats that need redone, some body parts, a rebuilt 904, and a few other items. Now if it was a super clean 340 powered 1970-72 Duster I would probably say to put the cutting torch down.
 
Pro-touring, build like you want. That’s what I’m doing with mine, slowly the way I want to, and changing my ideas often lol
 
Yep that’s my problem, I would be happy either way. As it sits it looks like an average 340 with some drag lites 295s in the back, 165r15 in the front. But as I had said in a post the other day, I been thinking about that FAST class racing, but, it’s not around here. They only sanction 7 races a year. So pro street/touring would definitely be cheaper. But it seems these days an original style resto would be unique. It’s not a numbers matching car so it would never be worth what an original collector would, so worth to me is null. On one hand tire burning fury, radical cam, smell of race gas gets my blood pumping and I’m 13 years old again watching my dad in the burn out box, on the other would be nice to go cross country cruising with the wife and kids, and yet still I cannot decide. That’s the reason for the poll, I would honestly be happy with either setup. So all your comments and poll results will help me decide. The wife says either way too, the kids always have different opinions.
 
Sprayin73 said:
Have a new project H code 73 duster 4 speed, non numbers matching. Do I restore to stock like condition, or go pro street. It already is somewhat pro street, but not cut up. I will not cut it up regardless. I just cannot decide a direction. I’m trying to post a poll, my first one. Help me pick a direction FABO community. Pro street or stock like resto?
Click to expand...
I don't think I would want to cut on a h code car. I WOULD however want killer brakes and any bolt on that would update its 'overall' performance...and a good amount of engine tweaking. Custom wheels for more tire. At the most... I'd might tack in some connectors. But that's it, and... you can cut wheel and grind smooth the witness marks from them if wanna go back. You just don't want it twisting if you get overboard on the power and you don't want to go up and smoke and not be able to use it. Tint the widows, bolt in better seats, stereo

In a nutshell...I would try to not do anything I couldn't undo. Jmo
 
You can go retro restoration and hide a lot of HP with a stock looking motor 340 and a stroker crankshaft and other hidden upgrades and improved systems. Or you can get a little wild and upgrade according to what you like. But I definitely agree with what has previously been said about don't modify anything that can't fairly easily be put back to a stock or near stock condition. That's one nice thing about A body cars is there not so ridiculously priced that people spit on the ground if you modify them.
 
Define "Pro-Touring?"

You can build a car and add better suspension, brakes, EFI, AC, PS, PB, and any other comfort or performance items you want and still have it look stock. This how I did my GTS, did want I wanted for how I'm going to drive it.

When you start talking "stock" you enter the number matching, date coded, correct over spray, proper factory tagging, decals, proper grain, etc crowd and that, to me, would get stressful.

In the end it depends on what you want, your budget and what you expect out of a car.
 
Well pro touring should have been a third choice in the poll. Pro street to me is max effort barely streetable and what I have done on all my builds thus far in life. Pro touring would be as you guys have said more updated equipment and look, creature comforts, etc. Original style is what it sounds like. Or even a fourth option combining pro touring with stock appearance as some have suggested, upgrading the car to more modern equipment but keeping stock look.
 
It sounds like you're most hesitant about "cutting it up" than anything. I vote build it the way you want which sounds like a mild/street-friendly pro-street look that remains comfortable for cruises. I wouldn't bother trying to go stock unless the car was #s matching everything or close to it. Main thing is... are you trying to maximize sale value and leave it parked most of the time? or do you want a car that is going to leave you with that permanent grin on your face? Only you can really know. You can always do "bolt-ons" for everything and if you decide to go back to how it was then you have that option. You have a duster so its not like you NEED to tub it to get a decent amount of rubber back there if you're running a stock/almost stock small block.
 
My suggestion would be to do what needs to be done to make it fun to drive. Whatever that means for you.

For me, that means at least stop, ride and handle like a newer car (for now). Currently, my Duster feels on par (to me) to the R/T Challenger I just sold, minus the creature comforts and better power and mileage. But it still needs longer legs (want to cruise through MT at 80-85 mph), AC and EFI. Oh, and more power someday.

Point is, if you build it so it is fun to drive and doesn’t feel like punishment, you will drive it and enjoy it more. If it has a narrow focus and only fun for a short time, it will get left at home when you want to just enjoy the drive.

My formula would be 1.03 TB’s, 1 1/8” SB, RCD’s, 11.75” disks, subframe connectors, 3.23 or 3.55 gears with a OD box. If you wanted to keep the old school look, put some body color 15” steel wheels on it with some old school rubber. If you wanted modern tires, find some 17” wheels you like (there are even some solid ones that look like old school steel wheels) and run those. Oh and either aftermarket UCA’s or offset bushings so you can get a more modern alignment spec. Really nothing exotic or unreversable, and should be plenty fun and keep up with most of the cars on the road now.
 
All good responses, the diversity here is the same issue I’m having with making the build decision. Resale value isn’t really important to me, this one will stay and likely be handed down. Seems like most are agreeing to update ride quality, stopping power, stepping up the engine a bit but not over kill, emphasis on reliability and longevity. When this poll has ended, and the build starts I’ll post over in member restorations so you guys can follow along as it progresses.
 
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