E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Engine, Transmission & Rear End => Topic started by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 11:43:38 AM

Title: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 11:43:38 AM
My beautiful wife has agreed for me to transform my 1970 challenger to a Hellcrate engine and interior to a later edition. I am getting closer to the end of removing rusty old metal. I am now in the phase of installing new metal. Finally, no rust any place in the car. So, I am now in the planning stage of up grading the 440 to a Hellcrate engine and the interior to a late model Challenger. I am looking for any advice from any one with this experience or knowledge. :thinking:
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: 303 Mopar on August 07, 2019, 12:55:50 PM
Call @MoparDave (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/mopardave_10) at Roseville to order all parts including the engine if you are going new.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: soundcontrol on August 07, 2019, 01:00:38 PM
Very cool, make sure to start a thread on the build here and take lots of pictures. I'm putting a 6.1 in mine, a Hellcrate will be ordered when I win the lottery!  :D
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Cudajason on August 07, 2019, 01:05:38 PM
wow, very cool...have you given any thought to reinforcing the body and all the drive train improvements required so the engine will not kill everything else?

The interior will be tricky, that will need a lot of custom fitting.

Jason
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: MoparDave on August 07, 2019, 01:11:21 PM
Quote from: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 11:43:38 AM
My beautiful wife has agreed for me to transform my 1970 challenger to a Hellcrate engine and interior to a later edition. I am getting closer to the end of removing rusty old metal. I am now in the phase of installing new metal. Finally, no rust any place in the car. So, I am now in the planning stage of up grading the 440 to a Hellcrate engine and the interior to a late model Challenger. I am looking for any advice from any one with this experience or knowledge. :thinking:
Thanks in advance,
Mark

Mark, very cool. thanks @303 Mopar (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/303-mopar_7) . I have pretty much all of the Hellcat crate engine with necessary secondary cooling parts and sub components in stock, I can also assist with auto or manual trans Kit options, suspension options. long or shorty  TTI headers, Radiator, efi tanks. If you would like to chat about what all it will take. feel free to call me direct office 586-859-2575
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: CudaMoparRay on August 07, 2019, 01:50:21 PM
Great modernizing upgrade project  :twothumbsup: will also keep an eye on it for reference  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: ragtopdodge on August 07, 2019, 02:25:19 PM
Cool engine choice!

Me?  I wouldn't put a "modern" interior in.  A lot of work for something that will look dated in a few years.

Get some recaros and recover in OEM materials.  Get some Dakota DIgital cluster in a Rallye housing.  Put in a 3-speaker, AC dashpad in.  Get some Metro door panels for power windows and stick an electric-life setup in there with OEM Mopar switches.

CHeaper, and more classic looking.  Someday, you'll want to sell your car, and hard to sell when the interior has been customized to an old "modern" interior.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Timbbuc2 on August 07, 2019, 05:12:32 PM
Kudos to you, if I ever do another car I want to do the same and a modern interior. Look forward to seeing your progress.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: GoodysGotaCuda on August 07, 2019, 05:14:12 PM
Quote from: ragtopdodge on August 07, 2019, 02:25:19 PM

CHeaper, and more classic looking.  Someday, you'll want to sell your car, and hard to sell when the interior has been customized to an old "modern" interior.

Not that he asked, but I agree. Interior builds are a very touchy subject, but build it as you please! Good luck, the new engines are fun!



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Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:15:53 PM
Thanks 303 Mopar , I will be reaching out to Dave.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on August 07, 2019, 09:18:32 PM
Just to play devil's advocate... will late model seats be low enough... ?  :notsure:
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:20:09 PM
Thanks Sound Control, Unfortunately I have not the lottery but I keep trying. I sold my F-150 and most of my toys to afford this project. The wife recognized I was serous when I started driving the family spare Honda Mini-van.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:30:24 PM
Thanks Cuda Jason, I will be considering extra up grades to meet the demand of the Hellcrate engine. I already have the frame rails extended. Please list any items you may think I need to consider.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: jimynick on August 07, 2019, 09:36:29 PM
The first things that come to mind would be the USCartools stiffening kit with front aprons and rad support reinforcements, torque boxes and subframe connectors. If you put all that in you should be good to go I would think.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:36:40 PM
Thanks Mopar Dave, if it okay? I will give you a call next week. I am looking for Hellcrate engine, the plug and play wiring harness, and all of the pulleys attached. Also, I may need a new K frame for the Hellocrate. I am looking to minimize space under the hood for AC, headers and electric steering.
Thanks Again,
Mark
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:44:41 PM
Thanks Bigshclunk. After replacing so many body panels, i have become a pretty decent metal fabricator. I think I will be able to adjust the height as needed. My seats in the 1970 Challenger are to low now and I am 6"2".
Thanks Again,
Mark
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:49:17 PM
Thanks for the advice Ragtopdodge. I have not fully committed to the interior modern change out. You make some good points. However, no matter if the interior original or comfortably updated, in few years it will have to be replaced because I plan to drive it like I stole it!
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Swamp Donkey on August 07, 2019, 11:15:20 PM
Cool sounding build.  Your build sounds somewhat what I have envisioned for my car.  I'm not going to do the complete modern interior, but definitely upgraded front seats, stereo and gauges.  And of course a 3rd gen Hemi. 
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: JpRngr on August 07, 2019, 11:41:13 PM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on August 07, 2019, 09:18:32 PM
Just to play devil's advocate... will late model seats be low enough... ?  :notsure:

With a little modification to the floor boards, late model seats fit fine.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: MoparDave on August 08, 2019, 04:21:07 PM
Quote from: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:36:40 PM
Thanks Mopar Dave, if it okay? I will give you a call next week. I am looking for Hellcrate engine, the plug and play wiring harness, and all of the pulleys attached. Also, I may need a new K frame for the Hellocrate. I am looking to minimize space under the hood for AC, headers and electric steering.
Thanks Again,
Mark

Mark. i'm open anytime at on your time. If I don't answer. leave a message and i'll return your call. thanks.
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: ragtopdodge on August 08, 2019, 04:43:15 PM
Quote from: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:49:17 PM
Thanks for the advice Ragtopdodge. I have not fully committed to the interior modern change out. You make some good points. However, no matter if the interior original or comfortably updated, in few years it will have to be replaced because I plan to drive it like I stole it!

This is SORTA what I meant (don't like the gauges; prefer OEM w/DD gauges), but you get the idea how to me, this looks better:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musclecarsworld.com%2Fgallery%2F1970-dodge-challenger-xv-motorsports-restomod-with-modern-hemi%2F1970-dodge-challenger-xv-motorsports-15.jpg&hash=7c1ac3b7228f0c55a6571e8c5c9ee6ac44e31f4a)

Than this:

(https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/the-drive-cms-content-staging/message-editor%2F1562790550936-66186605_3054826651224783_909183437703741440_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: nsmall on August 08, 2019, 09:01:20 PM
Took me forever to find this.  Was trying to remember the builds name when all I had to do was go search in the restoration pages :whiteflag:

https://forum.e-bodies.org/your-restoration-project-roseville-moparts/10/1971-cuda-hellcat-chiquita/5778/
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: GoodysGotaCuda on August 09, 2019, 03:20:33 AM
Quote from: ragtopdodge on August 08, 2019, 04:43:15 PM
Quote from: Moparkin on August 07, 2019, 09:49:17 PM
Thanks for the advice Ragtopdodge. I have not fully committed to the interior modern change out. You make some good points. However, no matter if the interior original or comfortably updated, in few years it will have to be replaced because I plan to drive it like I stole it!

This is SORTA what I meant (don't like the gauges; prefer OEM w/DD gauges), but you get the idea how to me, this looks better:

(https://forum.e-bodies.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musclecarsworld.com%2Fgallery%2F1970-dodge-challenger-xv-motorsports-restomod-with-modern-hemi%2F1970-dodge-challenger-xv-motorsports-15.jpg&hash=7c1ac3b7228f0c55a6571e8c5c9ee6ac44e31f4a)

Than this:

(https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/the-drive-cms-content-staging/message-editor%2F1562790550936-66186605_3054826651224783_909183437703741440_o.jpg)

For comparison sake, here's my Speedhut dash

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190809/f873199cb0049ef8701aa5400e7c0389.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190809/7f6d692dd1ce9d6fd503bf7ed5956517.jpg)


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Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: JS29 on August 09, 2019, 06:14:22 AM
That top picture reminds me of a 67-68 camaro. Not a mopar cluster. :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: 392 Cuda on August 09, 2019, 07:16:17 AM
People have used the dash too... If you're going that far, it might be something to look at - just buy a whole junked hellcat.

I personally went with something closer to @GoodysGotaCuda (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/goodysgotacuda_66) with my gauges. I like his combo gauge better, but I got a deal for the set on craigslist. You can probably see the component speakers in the door, covering up the window crank hold. Nobody seems to like that, but I'll never sell the car, and could replace the panels if I did.

I wanted the modern switch in the console for power windows. I mocked it up with cardboard, and planned to cut out some standard carfi black plastic to fit it in there. (Although now I might cut it all out and put an 8 speed and a modern challenger console in there.)
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: 392 Cuda on August 09, 2019, 07:34:31 AM
@JpRngr (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/jprngr_963), any experience with modifying the floorboards to fit the seats?

Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: Shoooter on August 09, 2019, 08:04:38 AM
When are you planning on starting the build?  Will there be firewall modifications?
Title: Re: Hellcrate engine and modern interior for my 1970 Challenger
Post by: JpRngr on August 09, 2019, 08:17:09 PM
Quote from: 392 Cuda on August 09, 2019, 07:34:31 AM
@JpRngr (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/jprngr_963), any experience with modifying the floorboards to fit the seats?

The outter portion of the floor board needs to be removed and replaced with a flatter piece that sits level with the inner portion. I did this with mine along with adding some reinforcements where the new bolt holes are. Seats sit down a couple inches and have plenty of headroom. I installed seats from an '11 Challenger in mine. Still need to hook up the wiring, but as is, they're in a perfect spot for me with plenty of adjustment room.

Corey