Kicking around some ideas for my Demon

[challengergary]

A little background -about a year or so ago i bought a 72 Demon to have as a father/son project with my oldest son (he is now 15). I told him that we would build the car together and if he maintains at least a 3.5 GPA, the car would be his. Problem is he's really not into having an "old car." So now I guess I am going to build the car to sell.

The car is originally a /6 car and I've already traded that all off for a nice 8-3/4 rear. My idea is to build a really nice driver/cruiser that can be entered into shows if someone wants to do so.

I was kicking around some ideas with my brother and I have a couple of directions to go. No matter what, I am going to do the entire car because I have something in my head and I need to get it out. I plan on putting in frame connectors, inner fender braces, tubular lower radiator support and possibly torque boxes, front disc brakes, a/c, and some nice 17"+ wheels & tires.


My "vision" for the car includes a nice silver metallic paint job with red stripes, a factory hood scoop, and a dark charcoal interior with modern bucket seats. A possible twist on that plan is last night my brother mentioned using the AAR stripes. That got me to thinking, the AAR Cuda was Plymouth product while the Challenger T/A was the Dodge version. What about a Demon T/A "tribute/phantom" car?

The question is basically about ROI on the various engines that I have available to me.

1)I have a free, good running, 318/904 combo from a fellow Mopar nut

2)I have somebody from whom I can get a good 340 from for somewhere around $1500

3) my brother knows somebody with a 440 that he is looking to sell - probably around the same price as the 340

 

[challengergary]

Ok - so how do I edit my Poll question to get rid of the typos?

 

[fanofpetty]

well Trans-Am cars were all small blocks, ( actual race versions were de-stroked 340s to 305 cubic inch) so the 340 is a natural choice in my opinion.

 

[moparlover]

318 will be meh. a 340/360 can be made to run nice, not super expensive but you would want to get the compression to 9.5:1 or so. the 440 you would have to find some aluminum heads to get the weight down. you could probably pick up a 400 cheaper and put a stroker kit in it with nice aluminum heads -- that or the 440 would kick real *** but would cost more. the only problem is if you get too much power like over way 500hp then your 8 3/4 rear wont like you.

you kinda need to plan for a power range that you want now, then go from there. if you are going for 800ft/lb torque you need to have a dana and a race trans. but for 500hp (light build big block or heavily built small block) your 8 3/4 will be fine.

but that being said i would not invest in small block aluminum heads, since the big blocks cost about the same and flow waaaay more out of the box.

the only real cost difference in the big / small block is the mounting modifications to get the BB in there.

 

[CUDACOX]

I like the 340 idea.That has my vote.

 

[1968dartman]

In the end it is what you can afford or what makes you happy!

 

[inkjunkie]

Solution to your dilemma, I will be by to pick the car and everything you have for it up....but to get it up & running i would say go for the least $$ option there is. Chase the bugs out of it then put together a mild mannered yet strong 408 complete with a 6 pack.....just for the cool factor......and if $$ permits do an efi 6 pack at some point....

 

[challengergary]

Just to clarify, the car will be sold when I am done with it, that is why I am asking about Return on Investment. It's not necessarily about the horsepower to me. I am really trying to figure out which direction will yield the best sale price versus money tied up in it. I do pretty much everything myself, so thankfully I don't have to worry about paying someone to work on her.

I like to build cars that are different enough to set themselves out of a crowd but still appeal to a lot of people. The Demon T/A idea is kind of like that - I think I will definitely have some people scratching their heads, swearing that their father/cousin/neighbor had one just like it LOL

 

[inkjunkie]

Just to clarify, the car will be sold when I am done with it, that is why I am asking about Return on Investment. It's not necessarily about the horsepower to me. I am really trying to figure out which direction will yield the best sale price versus money tied up in it. I do pretty much everything myself, so thankfully I don't have to worry about paying someone to work on her.

I like to build cars that are different enough to set themselves out of a crowd but still appeal to a lot of people. The Demon T/A idea is kind of like that - I think I will definitely have some people scratching their heads, swearing that their father/cousin/neighbor had one just like it LOL

If it is about resale then I would go with the free option. No matter which way you go getting all of the $$ you put into it probably is not going to happen as you are well aware of......

 

[IfItsGotWheels]

I voted for the 340. That being said why not take the 340 & mate it to the FREE 904.

 

[SirDan]

I think there is a lot of potential to lose money on the car. no offense.

340 or 440 would probably help it sell and give it some wow factor. I would rebuild the front suspension, slap some bigger Tbars on it and sway bars. Rear suspension try and get some super stock springs, new stock replacement or possibly add a leaf to what you have. nice shocks all around and call the suspension done. adding front discs would be nice in the process, keep it cheap and use factory components. Make frame connectors and torque boxes yourself and save some big bucks there. Make the interior look decent as cheap as you can. Paint it one color no graphics, let the next owner put graphics on it. Wheels I would keep it cheap and just go with whatever you can find on craigslist or the swap meet that you can pick up cheap and will look good. The next owner will likely change the wheels so why go nuts with wheels.

If you want to make money do what you can do for cheap but, don't do everything to the car. make it a good driver and leave some stuff for the next owner to do.

If you do the car up exactly how you want it I think you will lose money.:thumbup:

 

[72bluNblu]

Put the 318/904 in it and get it running. Fix only the suspension stuff that you have to in order to make it a functioning driver. Upgrades are nice, but the more personalized you make the car the harder it will be to sell. I'd love to buy a car that has frame connectors, torque boxes, j bars etc. But I'd also be taking a very close look at all of that work to make sure it was done correctly. Any short cuts and I'd be out, nothing worse than fixing someone else's work. And with all the mods guys looking for anything even remotely original would be of of the market.

Better to leave the car mostly stock, get it running and driving safely, and sell it if resale is the goal. The further from that you get the more money you'll spend, and the less return on your dollar you'll get

 

[44070dart]

if your building to sell I'd go with the 340 ..less work/expense than the 440 ..the 318 no go don't think it would garner as much interest as your other choices .. the 440 would be my choice cause I'm crazy

 

[furyus2]

It's not a good idea to build a custom car to sell to someone else. Then you are looking for someone to like everything you do to it. I am building a 340 Swinger dart, but I'm doing it all stock so when it's finished I can sell it and let someone else do what they want to it. If I were to keep it, I'd do what I want with it.

 

[1972DusterPaul]

x2...

If anything I think the 340 might be the best choice in a close stock Demon for reselling.

It's not a good idea to build a custom car to sell to someone else. Then you are looking for someone to like everything you do to it. I am building a 340 Swinger dart, but I'm doing it all stock so when it's finished I can sell it and let someone else do what they want to it. If I were to keep it, I'd do what I want with it.

I do like the Demon T/A idea...

 

[Pentastarnut]

I voted 440 for the coolness factor and do the stripes only with no call outs or lettering. For resale i'd say go with the free 318/904 that way you won't have to try and recoup more $ on the sale, OR , sell it as is and avoid the build because trying to build something your way and having someone else like exactly what you do is tough to get top dollar for. just my opinion ;)
ps i'll come pick it up next weekend

 

[ocdart]

IMO, the only thing attractive about the 318 is the price. I also feel the 340 and 440 prices are too high.
I think your best ROI would come from finding a good 360 for it and mate that up to your free 904.

 

[challengergary]

x2...

If anything I think the 340 might be the best choice in a close stock Demon for reselling.



I do like the Demon T/A idea...

My thoughts exactly - mocked it up this morning

 

[Idaho]

If the goal is to get more upon resale than you put in - forget it.

If its to have fun and teach your son in the process, just keep it simple. I'd vote for the 340. There is a bit of re-sale value in the 340. Time with your son goes by too quick to put a lot of it into something he won't keep. Think about doing something he wants instead.

 

[Bulldozer]

x2...

If anything I think the 340 might be the best choice in a close stock Demon for reselling.



I do like the Demon T/A idea...

that scat scoop looks so damn good on there. it really works. i like it .. a lot

 

[seabee]

Can you adopt me? That is an option.

 

[carcrazyguy]

The car is originally a /6 car......
I've already traded for a nice 8-3/4 rear.
I plan on putting in frame connectors, inner fender braces, tubular lower radiator support and possibly torque boxes, front disc brakes, a/c, and some nice 17"+ wheels & tires.

1)I have a free, good running, 318/904 combo from a fellow Mopar nut

Just to clarify, the car will be sold when I am done with it, that is why I am asking about Return on Investment. It's not necessarily about the horsepower to me.

Just a couple of thoughts.

If resale is the main purpose of the build....FREE motor and trans would be the better return on investment, IF they are in good running shape and only need to be cleaned up before install. Also might want a quick refresh of gaskets, freeze plugs, plugs to make it a nice reliable car. That is worth more than some horsepower to a lot of people looking for a nice old car.

Second. If you are looking at resale...a one of a kind paint job may take a one of a kind buyer. Especially taking a stripe made for an E-body and putting it on an A-body. If you are deadset on using the T/A stripe, I would think it would look better if you modify the lines a bit on the stripe to closer match the body lines of the car. But that is just me!

The Demon factory stripe package and options are so well liked by many, it would be hard to stray away from that if I were building a car for resale. AGAIN, these are just my opinions.

 

[challengergary]

carcrazyguy - good thoughts on the one of a kind paint job. Maybe a "stock" Mopar Hi-Impact Color would be better. As far as the stripes go, that's no big deal for me to change if a buyer prefers the original style stripes, I make stripe kits for a living

 

[carcrazyguy]

Not trying to sway you in any way..just tossing around ideas.

A nice running, clean car will sell. High impact may help it sell quicker. Also you may consider doing a rare color combo that is sought out....?

I know this car sold pretty quick.....

 

[95teetee]

I would suggest putting in the free 318 and telling people it's a 340.



****I'm just kidding about the last part of that suggestion.