1970 Duster AlterKtion, 4 Link, LS/T56/Turbo and Minitub

[70DusterDev]

So, for the last few years I've really wanted to buy one of the new SRT8 Challengers because I think they're absolutely beautiful. But, I knew if I bought a Challenger the poor Duster would never get driven because as it is, the 340 needs a rebuild and the T5 is starting to make noise after the years of beating on it. So I decided that if a used SRT8 is around 28K I'd throw a similar chunk of money at the Duster to make it more "modern" on the road and something I can daily drive.

I've wanted the RMS AlterKtion K member for quite a few years now and had been saving up for it. But now I had to make the decision to stay Mopar or go LS. I have a few different LS motors laying around because I'll buy rotted trucks in VT when I'm home for $300 and pull the drivetrain. I did a TON of research and after talking to many different guys who did turbo builds the decision was made to go LS for the modern fuel injection, price, reliability (700whp goal), aftermarket support and simply how easily I can get them. Because of the mustang 2 spindles however, I had to get new wheels so I went with 17s this go around. The company who I bought the rear chromo shafts from are redrilling them to 5x4.5 for me and since I was going with 17s that made me decide to do a mini tub kit to stuff 315s under the rear.

So to get things started, when my dad and I did the full rear quarters, rockers, doors, eliminated the vinyl top and painted it, I had already painted the engine bay and got the motor in. But then decided I didn't like that color and changed it to the blue the car is. So now finally I had the chance to clean up the engine bay and paint it to match the car.

Step 1: Pull motor and clean engine bay

Step 2: Mask off car and engine bay.

 

[70DusterDev]

Step 3: Paint engine bay. Luckily I still had leftover single stage of the same color. We did everything under the trunk and in the car single stage, and the outside of the car is base/clear.

 

[70DusterDev]

I got the call from the machine shop that my heads and motor were finished so I went and picked that up after I was done painting. Masked off the block and got that painted.

Step 4: Install front alterKtion kit.

Man this kit sure went together well. Very easy to install.

 

[70DusterDev]

I had bought regular old school subframe connectors for the car, but when reading an article about the RMS suspension and upgrades I found a set of weld in subframe connectors from USCarTools. It welds all along the bottom of the car and basically actually adds a full frame to the car. It seemed MUCH stronger than the style that just welds to the front subrame and the rear frame. So I returned the ones from summit and bought the USCarTool connectors as well as their minitub kit since I was placing the order. Man I will say with the floors as thin as they are it took me a little over 4 hours to weld the subframe connectors in. And I only have 1 terrible picture. I'll take more when I'm further along.

Step 5: Weld in subframe connectors.

The next step I was dreading because I knew it would be a lot of work. And this is about where I am now. The minitub kit was a PAIN. And took about 20 hours or so being I've never done one before. I need to take more pictures of the right side completed. Once its all cleaned up, flapwheeled and seam sealed I'll also take more pics.

Step 6: Minitub kit.

 

[daveakre]

Heck, you're makin' pretty good progress, my minitub job took me two years to finish! Looks great!

 

[subcom]

Great job! The LS is an amazing platform, I'm sure it will be a blast when you're done.

 

[70DusterDev]

Mini tub is done now. Just need to weld a couple spots, seem seal and paint. Also got a start on the 4 link. Going to get that done and then take care of all of the final touches before starting on the cage and cutting the floor for the 6 speed.

 

[mopardude318]

Cool build. But you lost me on ls

 

[70DusterDev]

Thanks! Ha I know the LS will ruffle feathers. But we all have our own reasons and opinions. That's the beauty of making these cars our own!

 

[abodyjoe]

Smart move going LS

 

[Gearhed73]

I like the way this is going. I feel you on the floors being thin are hard to weld to, Ive had good luck starting the puddle on the heavier gauge subframe connector and pulling it over to the floor.

 

[70DusterDev]

Thanks! Yeah that's exactly what I ended up having to do for the most part. Still took quite a while though!

 

[moparmat2000]

They make a shaft rocker kit for LS engines now

 

[70DusterDev]

Good to know! Because the factory "rod" in my motor was broken in half.

 

[70DusterDev]

Got the buckets fully welded to the frame for the 4 link. Then it rained so hard water was coming in under my garage doors so I stopped laying under the car and started putting the motor together. Starting to look like something!

 

[70DusterDev]

Pretty productive weekend last weekend! Got the motor mostly buttoned up, duel disk clutch on and the new scatter shield on!

After I put the PS bracket on seeing how gross it looked with everything else new, back off it came to get sand blasted at work lol.

Also dont mind the garage. It is complete CHAOS with boxes from new parts etc.

 

[70DusterDev]

Once I got to that point, it was time to set the motor in the car to start test fitting exhaust and other goodies. Of course I realized after I had done so I forgot to drill the oil pan for the turbo return bulkhead connector. Back out it has to come lol. Passenger side header needed some massaging to fit as well.

 

[70DusterDev]

Sunday I got the 4 link finished finally and the brackets finish welded on the axle. Also sent the chromo rear shafts out to be redrilled for the new 5x4.5 instead of the 5x4 pattern.

 

[70DusterDev]

Yesterday I got my PS bracket and AC bracket sandblasted at lunch. Also had some friends in the Cerakote department do my valve covers. We had a little fun with them since its not a Mopar engine anymore. Again I have no hate for Mopars. I loved the 340, it whooped *** period, but when it came to modern tech and cost the LS is just hard to argue with.

Also found out that the AC DOES fit with the RMS K member!! So thats super exciting because originally Bill said he didnt think it would fit since his first build was an LS1 with a larger AC pump.

 

[subcom]

Once I got to that point, it was time to set the motor in the car to start test fitting exhaust and other goodies. Of course I realized after I had done so I forgot to drill the oil pan for the turbo return bulkhead connector. Back out it has to come lol. Passenger side header needed some massaging to fit as well.

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Are those off the shelf turbo headers or custom? They fit nice. Pass side is tight. It always is, whether it's a sbm, bbm, hemi, LS...unless it's a Slant! What turbos are they? Build is looking great!

 

[70DusterDev]

The turbo headers are off the shelf! I did have to massage that passenger side a bit lol but they do fit well!

The turbo is a single billet 78/75 from VS Racing. If you call them it's the "sloppy" kit or what Matt Happel uses and he knows exactly what to put together. It's like $1500 for the turbo, intercooler, piping, blow off valve, wastegate, turbo feed line, gaskets and boots/clamps.

 

[70DusterDev]

A couple pics of the valve covers on. Also got the axle back under the car with the 4 link all done. The 315s easily fit in the new mini tubed wheel wells however I think they're almost sucked in too far. What do you guys think?

 

[70DusterDev]

Finally got to spend a little time on the car Sunday. Got the mini tub wrapped up.

And then got a start on putting the back seat back in to start on the cage. My buddy came up with his tig welder so that gave me advantage of being able to keep the seat in while welding.

Once we got the fat mat in there we got the seat in and started on the cage.

 

[famous bob]

Yesterday I got my PS bracket and AC bracket sandblasted at lunch. Also had some friends in the Cerakote department do my valve covers. We had a little fun with them since its not a Mopar engine anymore. Again I have no hate for Mopars. I loved the 340, it whooped *** period, but when it came to modern tech and cost the LS is just hard to argue with.

Also found out that the AC DOES fit with the RMS K member!! So thats super exciting because originally Bill said he didnt think it would fit since his first build was an LS1 with a larger AC pump.

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Like the mopar valve covers !

 

[70DusterDev]

More progress! Had to put the new steering wheel on to throw the column back in for seat fitment with the harness bar making sure everything fits for the cage. I wont be able to recline and take a nap but oh well haha. The cage is now complete though! Onto the transmission hump to see what I have to cut out for the T56 and the ToddRon cross member. Once thats done I can POR15 the floor, paint the cage, fat mat the floor and wrap up the interior. Then the classicdash gauge cluster goes in and wiring. THEN I'm finally onto the motor stuff! The fun part! I sure think the cage from the back of the car looks so badass. People behind me will be like O.o is that a cage?! haha