One Upgrade, No Limits: How Would You Transform Your Cuda/Challenger?

[E8]

Hey everyone,

I'm curious, if you could completely redesign or upgrade one part of your E-Body without worrying about cost or originality, what would it be and why?

Would you go for performance upgrades, modern comfort features, or a unique visual twist? I'd love to hear the different directions people would take and why.

[pschlosser]

Suspension.  Regardless the engine performance, they don't handle like the modern engineered cars, do.  I wish they did.

But otherwise, keeping it original-looking with it's simple vintage design, and powerful engine components. 
I believe it is these styling elements that make this vintage automobile special and unique.
It's not about winning the street race, although that's pretty nice when we do.
It's about such an amazing performance car reachable by most citizens without the deep wallet.
Not to mention the (lack of) safety features so prevalent in later cars.

That said, modern engine offerings and safety features are making an impact to this legacy.

[jimynick]

I voted for the engine/power train mod. A modern 392 with a 6 speed and 4 wheel big discs would put a bigger smile on my face than most anything else. Just my 

[Chryco Psycho]

Suspension for sure but not what you think , upgrading the stock designed parts you can corner at over 1G !
So subframe connectors , Tq boxes , stiffen the frame ,  Maybe Tubular K frame but with bigger T bars Not coil overs , Tubular upper control arms & plated lower arms, T bars keep the weight low & in the center of the car , improved geometery up front the way Brad did his , better brakes , 17" wheels with Nitto 555s , Composite rear leafs with double adjustable shocks all 4 corners . Also mandatory is improved seats while cornering at 1G +
 
Next upgrade would be Multi Port EFI for better engine control .

 Yes there are tubular K frames for the front with coilovers but generally based on Mustang II parts so the steering is not ideal & 4 links with coilovers for the rear but the 4 link is not adjustable unlike the Tube chassis race cars & doesn't plant the tires well , so a lot of expense for minimal gain IMO

 Welcome to the site BTW

[Katfish]

I already did the Gen3 swap, and it is by far the best money I've spent.
Car is so much more enjoyable to drive.
I've done a few suspension upgrades, so with an unlimited budget I go all out and try to duplicate the performance (if not the same parts) as the Hotchkis Challenger.

[tparker]

I have a book since the early 90's about mopar suspensions and they claim over 1g can be had. It talks a lot about the T/A challenger and road racing. Since then I always wanted a road car vs a 1/4 mile car. We used to live near the coast with some great curves. I would just finish my engine work, swap to 4 speed and finish the 8 3/4.

I love my interior but am totally ok with it. Just wish I had a ralley dash and pistol grip. Hey wait, if I choose the engine/tranny, and suspension package, does that mean I don't get the pistol grip since it would be part of the interior upgradee 

[70_440-6Cuda]

for me the fun of these cars is the nostalgia of high school era hot rods - I graduated in '90 so 60s and 70s era muscle was cheap, and there was nothing cooler than a big V8, headers, lumpy cams and burnouts - actual performance? Meh... smelling raw fuel and burning rubber - definitely!

So for me, taking my 440 to a monster HP you can hear coming from 2 miles away and a manual for dumping the clutch would be my choice - nice to drive, probably not, but FUN to drive - smiles per mile for me

For modern handling or ease of driving, I have a modern sports car for that

[E8]

Suspension for sure but not what you think , upgrading the stock designed parts you can corner at over 1G !
So subframe connectors , Tq boxes , stiffen the frame ,  Maybe Tubular K frame but with bigger T bars Not coil overs , Tubular upper control arms & plated lower arms, T bars keep the weight low & in the center of the car , improved geometery up front the way Brad did his , better brakes , 17" wheels with Nitto 555s , Composite rear leafs with double adjustable shocks all 4 corners . Also mandatory is improved seats while cornering at 1G +
 
Next upgrade would be Multi Port EFI for better engine control .

 Yes there are tubular K frames for the front with coilovers but generally based on Mustang II parts so the steering is not ideal & 4 links with coilovers for the rear but the 4 link is not adjustable unlike the Tube chassis race cars & doesn't plant the tires well , so a lot of expense for minimal gain IMO

 Welcome to the site BTW

Thanks.

[E8]

for me the fun of these cars is the nostalgia of high school era hot rods - I graduated in '90 so 60s and 70s era muscle was cheap, and there was nothing cooler than a big V8, headers, lumpy cams and burnouts - actual performance? Meh... smelling raw fuel and burning rubber - definitely!

So for me, taking my 440 to a monster HP you can hear coming from 2 miles away and a manual for dumping the clutch would be my choice - nice to drive, probably not, but FUN to drive - smiles per mile for me

For modern handling or ease of driving, I have a modern sports car for that

Totally get that, I grew up in that era too, and there's nothing like a big V8, headers, cams, and burnouts for pure fun. Modern handling is nice, but nothing beats the thrill of an old-school 440 for smiles per mile. Sounds like you've got the perfect combo with a modern car for ease and the muscle car for the real fun!

[chargerdon]

Hmmmmm let me see.   I could upgrade with a 392 hemi, and better suspension, or oh hell, if i wanted all that i couldve just bought a 2024 model !!!   

Ive upgraded my 74 with a stroked 360 la engine, put in a A518 to get overdrive, and bigger tires/wheels, i love it just like that.   

[70vert]

Suspension for sure but not what you think , upgrading the stock designed parts you can corner at over 1G !
So subframe connectors , Tq boxes , stiffen the frame ,  Maybe Tubular K frame but with bigger T bars Not coil overs , Tubular upper control arms & plated lower arms, T bars keep the weight low & in the center of the car , improved geometery up front the way Brad did his , better brakes , 17" wheels with Nitto 555s , Composite rear leafs with double adjustable shocks all 4 corners . Also mandatory is improved seats while cornering at 1G +
 
Next upgrade would be Multi Port EFI for better engine control .


Pretty much the tract I've been on: stiffer torsion bars (1.06), Billstein RCD shocks, upgraded original steering box, tubular control arms, 17" Cragars with Nitto 555's, and last but not least a HydroBoost system with 4-wheel discs.
I still need to upgrade my front sway bar and rear leafs, and would love a trany improvement (currently have 3.55 posi). And probably tons of other stuff 

[dodj]

Hey everyone,

I'm curious, if you could completely redesign or upgrade one part of your E-Body without worrying about cost or originality, what would it be and why?

Would you go for performance upgrades, modern comfort features, or a unique visual twist? I'd love to hear the different directions people would take and why.

I'll be the boring one. I have a big block four speed so I'm happy with the engine, I have 1.2" T-bars (I think?), adjustable shocks, NT-05 tires, reworked steering box so I'm good with handling..So I think I would go for a properly engineered frame and crush zone structure that would help me survive an impact. Boring I know but it is one thing I think about occasionally when going 60 or 70.

[E8]

Hey everyone,

I'm curious, if you could completely redesign or upgrade one part of your E-Body without worrying about cost or originality, what would it be and why?

Would you go for performance upgrades, modern comfort features, or a unique visual twist? I'd love to hear the different directions people would take and why.

I'll be the boring one. I have a big block four speed so I'm happy with the engine, I have 1.2" T-bars (I think?), adjustable shocks, NT-05 tires, reworked steering box so I'm good with handling..So I think I would go for a properly engineered frame and crush zone structure that would help me survive an impact. Boring I know but it is one thing I think about occasionally when going 60 or 70.

Honestly, that's not boring at all it's just being realistic. You've already got a great combo with the big block 4-speed and the suspension sorted, so it makes sense that your next thought goes to survivability, especially at today's highway speeds.

These cars feel solid, but once you start thinking about how little structure and crush protection they actually have, it's hard not to. A properly engineered frame and real crush zones wouldn't take away any of the fun — they'd just let you enjoy it with a bit more confidence at 60 70 mph.

It's not the flashy answer, but it's probably the most honest one.

[torredcuda]

I have modern bucket seats but otherwise "vintage" looking interior and exterior. My suspension is upgraded and if I could afford it the 340 would be stroked and I would swap the four speed to a five speed.

[torredcuda]

Hey everyone,

I'm curious, if you could completely redesign or upgrade one part of your E-Body without worrying about cost or originality, what would it be and why?

Would you go for performance upgrades, modern comfort features, or a unique visual twist? I'd love to hear the different directions people would take and why.

I'll be the boring one. I have a big block four speed so I'm happy with the engine, I have 1.2" T-bars (I think?), adjustable shocks, NT-05 tires, reworked steering box so I'm good with handling..So I think I would go for a properly engineered frame and crush zone structure that would help me survive an impact. Boring I know but it is one thing I think about occasionally when going 60 or 70.

Engineering a complete unibody or frame with crush zones is a major undertaking and not sure it's something you could do without an engineering degree and testing?