The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
Cleaned out all the junk that was in the Duster for 3 years and assessed everything. There is a lot of work to be done! "Not spending too much more money" on this thing is out the window. It's really hard for me not to re-do stuff that I wasn't totally happy with. It's been almost 7 years since I've driven it and have done and learned a lot more about these types of things since then.
That said, an EFI conversion is pretty high on the list. I did it on my Coronet and I really like it. That car runs light years better than it ever did with a carburetor. Throttle response is much crisper, it runs cleaner and the drivability is just better overall. No idea if mileage has increased but it may very well have.
Nothing wrong with a carburetor but it does not have the data logging capability, digital ignition control or the ability to change the tune on the fly. I do have an Innovate LM-1 A/F monitor thing which can datalog but it's just a gauge and not a complete interactive system. It's kind of obsolete now anyway.
Basically, this car will need to be fully re-wired, especially if EFI is in the mix. I was in the middle of wiring when it went into storage. I have a Ron Francis "Bare Bonz" panel which was chosen because it was minimal but am realizing now that my original plan was insufficient.
Like most aftermarket wiring, it's based off GM architecture so there will be a lot of things that I'd have to re-engineer to make them work on a Chrysler product. Frankly, it would be easier to start off with a complete harness and customize it to my needs. I rewired my Coronet with an American Autowire harness which I liked and I may go that route here. It's also based off GM, is expensive and comes with a lot of extra stuff that I wouldn't need but it's quality stuff that I know how to work with. If I go with EFI, the wiring will be integrated into whatever harness I get.
Other stuff on the list includes a QA1 K frame and possibly their tubular control arms and dynamic strut bars. Just seems like the right thing for this type of car. Unsure of how much weight it will save but I like the idea of having more room and new parts underneath.
Speaking of weight savings, I've had a fiberglass hood for several years now, probably time to put it on the car. Should shave significant weight off the front end. One of my friends is a body guy who does nice work, been talking to him about painting it for me. Probably just go with an Organisol/flat black type treatment.
Another major consideration is the exhaust. Currently, it's TTI 1 5/8" into 1 7/8" step headers into a heavy, 3" H pipe system with 40 series Flowmasters. I have always thought the headers are a little bit of a cork, could be worthwhile to go to a larger primary tube and collector. As stated, the rest of the exhaust is 3" and weighs a ton. I know it's heavy because I put it myself laying on my back, would be a significant weight savings changing to a stainless system.
If I go with the EFI, it would be best to get an in-tank fuel pump with a return. Unfortunately, that means I'd either have to buy a whole new tank setup for EFI or modify my brand-new aluminum tank. I regret not getting the tank set up for a future EFI conversion when I bought it because I could have. At the time, I just had it in my head that I didn't want to deal with an electric fuel pump.
Modifying the tank would basically require cutting out a recess for the fuel pump module. I can MIG weld but not TIG so it would have to come out and go to someone who can do the job. It's never had any gas in it so welding on it wouldn't be dangerous.
I'm confident I can do these jobs in a reasonable amount of time but if I do all of it including taking the motor apart to check it, I doubt I'd have it done by Carlisle. Just have to make the decision to spend the coin and buy the parts and see how it goes.
Talk about project creep!
Stay tuned.
Cleaned out all the junk that was in the Duster for 3 years and assessed everything. There is a lot of work to be done! "Not spending too much more money" on this thing is out the window. It's really hard for me not to re-do stuff that I wasn't totally happy with. It's been almost 7 years since I've driven it and have done and learned a lot more about these types of things since then.
That said, an EFI conversion is pretty high on the list. I did it on my Coronet and I really like it. That car runs light years better than it ever did with a carburetor. Throttle response is much crisper, it runs cleaner and the drivability is just better overall. No idea if mileage has increased but it may very well have.
Nothing wrong with a carburetor but it does not have the data logging capability, digital ignition control or the ability to change the tune on the fly. I do have an Innovate LM-1 A/F monitor thing which can datalog but it's just a gauge and not a complete interactive system. It's kind of obsolete now anyway.
Basically, this car will need to be fully re-wired, especially if EFI is in the mix. I was in the middle of wiring when it went into storage. I have a Ron Francis "Bare Bonz" panel which was chosen because it was minimal but am realizing now that my original plan was insufficient.
Like most aftermarket wiring, it's based off GM architecture so there will be a lot of things that I'd have to re-engineer to make them work on a Chrysler product. Frankly, it would be easier to start off with a complete harness and customize it to my needs. I rewired my Coronet with an American Autowire harness which I liked and I may go that route here. It's also based off GM, is expensive and comes with a lot of extra stuff that I wouldn't need but it's quality stuff that I know how to work with. If I go with EFI, the wiring will be integrated into whatever harness I get.
Other stuff on the list includes a QA1 K frame and possibly their tubular control arms and dynamic strut bars. Just seems like the right thing for this type of car. Unsure of how much weight it will save but I like the idea of having more room and new parts underneath.
Speaking of weight savings, I've had a fiberglass hood for several years now, probably time to put it on the car. Should shave significant weight off the front end. One of my friends is a body guy who does nice work, been talking to him about painting it for me. Probably just go with an Organisol/flat black type treatment.
Another major consideration is the exhaust. Currently, it's TTI 1 5/8" into 1 7/8" step headers into a heavy, 3" H pipe system with 40 series Flowmasters. I have always thought the headers are a little bit of a cork, could be worthwhile to go to a larger primary tube and collector. As stated, the rest of the exhaust is 3" and weighs a ton. I know it's heavy because I put it myself laying on my back, would be a significant weight savings changing to a stainless system.
If I go with the EFI, it would be best to get an in-tank fuel pump with a return. Unfortunately, that means I'd either have to buy a whole new tank setup for EFI or modify my brand-new aluminum tank. I regret not getting the tank set up for a future EFI conversion when I bought it because I could have. At the time, I just had it in my head that I didn't want to deal with an electric fuel pump.
Modifying the tank would basically require cutting out a recess for the fuel pump module. I can MIG weld but not TIG so it would have to come out and go to someone who can do the job. It's never had any gas in it so welding on it wouldn't be dangerous.
I'm confident I can do these jobs in a reasonable amount of time but if I do all of it including taking the motor apart to check it, I doubt I'd have it done by Carlisle. Just have to make the decision to spend the coin and buy the parts and see how it goes.
Talk about project creep!
Stay tuned.
