New "Droozemobile"...Stocker..SS/GT..Super Gas

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Ok....

Now, really , I know I am going to get a whole lot more responses off topic, but Im gonna float this. Im going to start next week or so, yeah I know the MegaManiac needs sorted out but were almost there, a bad ground....that simple. And at 10.59 Ill take it and tune it from there.

Shes in good shape soon.

SO, My next project begins. I have a 72 Challenger, Rust Free Cali Car that ive kicked around a half dozen ideas with, restomod for driver, Stocker, but well....none make me smile.

Here is what I would LIKE to do, I know its half baked, I always am, but as many of you well, you cant say I wont do it.....You cant say I wont put the effort into it, and you cant say....well thats about it....You cant say I wont roll a rock uphill for eternity like my Classical Hero, Sisyphus......I will cut off my nose just to spite my face, so that said.....

I would LIKE not to cut the car too bad, its a rustfree car. I will if I have to, or maybe trade it for a Ford BIW But what I would like is this.

To have a car I can run Stock as a 73 or 74 with a 360, the motor I have. As a 72 (pig) Motor I have, as a SS/GT Car, Motor I have, (right now its in the Maniac, but weve got 2 5.7's for that ) 1 more aggresive than the one thats in it now, so the 72 will act as a "parts carrier" for that and the other 904. And the other 6.1 sitting here in my office. Options, I like Options. (and capitalizing random words, its a programming keyword thing)

So, how, cage frame, etc, can I build a LEGAL car that will with only a suspension change in the rear, caltracks and leafs for Stock, compete across all 3 classes ?

Laser cut sub connectors, a given.

Im wanting something "occasional" not a terminator, Super Gas, well thats secondary I guess, but it would be nice, god knows Ive got motors around here. (well parts of motors) So Im thinking maybe the SG would be a good home for the 468, and well Ive got a storage full of Ebody crap doing no particular good. new interiors, bumpers, etc.

Im "thinking" the 72 has no real value above about 15k, its a 72, what am I gonna do throw a 440 in it and call it an R/T like everyone else (and yes trust me I know there is no 72 R/T) I have the Fenders and Hood for every option made in 72 though......

Value wise, wouldnt a "convertible" between 3 be worth more ? Im thinking as a GT car, comepetitive 25k ? Is this out of ballpark ?

But better and more important, how would it need to be caged ?

Im thinking 14pt, but part of me says 10 or 12 because I dont want to perf the firewall, the car is cherry. But well, its a 72. And an ugly **** color purple, new paint, but its coming off, it was a color screw up supposed to be FC7, but more like Grimace Purple.

I preffer to work in Mild Steel, well because I dont have a TIG at the Moment for 1. For 2 Im a cheap SOB......yes I really am...if youve seen our trailer or tools....well.......weight isnt really a concern for a GT car with the 5.7 combo.

Any Ideas ? Good Honest Ideas...

[427_ED]

That would be way to heavy to be competitive in SG.

I know a guy in Cincy that usually has a couple of Ford BIW in stock.

[james schaechter]

Speaking from experience as a person that has more ideas than time, I can tell you that it would be good to take a breath and just focus on getting the Stocker done and get used to racing and driving it. There is a lot to be said for practice. It is hard to keep up with one car let alone two. Once you get the stocker where you want it, then it will be a lot easier to manage another car.

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by 427_ED

That would be way to heavy to be competitive in SG.

I know a guy in Cincy that usually has a couple of Ford BIW in stock.

Ok, ignorance speaking, Why ?

If I can consitently run 9.90 why ? Tires ? Lack of traction depending on weather ? I have run SG before and well.....Im confused.

Like I said Im not looking for a killer missle across 3 differerent classes just something competitive, Ive avoided the wide tire for SS/GT because I dont want to cut too much.

If it is finacially feasible to cut, or to go with Moly I will, is it a consistency issue ? for SG ?

Im learning here, I know some things, others I look to the CR crowd for, winter is a PSM Project That well, Ill look to myself for, but I need something to fill the inbetween spaces with.

Besides I know where my "zen" is and its on a bike as much as I wanted to resist, even my Ma told me today......it might take a minute but Ill get back.

One of the best books ever written, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Manitenece"......

Step 1 , get a hat to tie your hippie hair up in ....(hmmm....maybe that was how to Hotrod VW's ?)

[427_ED]

Chris, you would need to get consistent, .002-.005 RT's, on a .400 tree. You would at least need a trans brake.

I know, you're still going to do it!

[Jeff Lee]

FYI #1 - reportedly they did make around 50 '72 R/T Challengers (340) which are designated with JS23 in the VIN. "S" indicates "Special" which is an R/T designation on E-bodies. I'm sure Galeen Govier has the definitive answer and most people wouldn't care.

FYI #2 - I have a pair of '72 tail lights for sale. Complete assembly for $75.00 if you need a spare set. They were in the trunk of a car at the wrecking yard and even though I didn't need them, couldn't pass them up!

FYI #3 - Heavy cars with stock type front suspensions are OK in a S/ST class but marginal in S/G or quicker pro-tree classes. They can run a half under all day long and are still counting on luck to go rounds. The car just can't be made to react like a 4-link / strut front-end or similar type competitor.

James S. has it right. Be the master of one project first.

Nosey me - So what do you guys do for a living that affords you all this time and money? Yes, I am jealous!

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

FYI #1 - reportedly they did make around 50 '72 R/T Challengers (340) which are designated with JS23 in the VIN. "S" indicates "Special" which is an R/T designation on E-bodies. I'm sure Galeen Govier has the definitive answer and most people wouldn't care.

Interesting, didnt know that, I was thinking of all the yahoos who throw a 383 or 440 in it and try to badge it up as an "R/T"

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

FYI #2 - I have a pair of '72 tail lights for sale. Complete assembly for $75.00 if you need a spare set. They were in the trunk of a car at the wrecking yard and even though I didn't need them, couldn't pass them up!

Im gonna look at mine again, I think they are perfect, but Ill look again, good to know.

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

FYI #3 - Heavy cars with stock type front suspensions are OK in a S/ST class but marginal in S/G or quicker pro-tree classes. They can run a half under all day long and are still counting on luck to go rounds. The car just can't be made to react like a 4-link / strut front-end or similar type competitor.

That makes sense, on the Rear I was thinking of doing a 4 link that could be "changed" out. And back to the leafs for Stocker trim. That would be part of the challenge of this project making it competitive or potentially competitive across the different classes. It would take thought and proper engineering to build something like this. I would truly like to set it up to run the DP spares less driveshaft.

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

James S. has it right. Be the master of one project first.

But its built, now for some final tuning and well running the piss outta it. At this point now that its built it falls mostly into the old mans court to drive and enjoy it.

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Nosey me - So what do you guys do for a living that affords you all this time and money? Yes, I am jealous!

Well, the old man is retired, me Im on Hiatus as it were but still do some consulting on the side as time allows. My house and cars are paid for , I did that BEFORE I started down this path, the old man the same, we knew it was a finacial looser but at least in the end well have our houses and cars Time, well I make it, with 16hr days, its amazing what you can do in that amount of time x7days in a week. The only single other thing I have to occupy my time are my kids, but since they dont live with me I schedule around it.

And Im an unbelievable cheap SOB when it comes to certain things. In the end my cars have always paid for my cars, and my bikes have always paid for my bikes.

[k.pascoe]

Chris, I think a slant super six w/a stick is the way to go. V/S maybe?