I have recently become interested in the Dodge Mirada. But they seem to be few and far between. I especially like the t-top option, as I had two t-top cars growing up (GMs)and I really like that option.

I understand that they are a fairly light car. How easily can the 318/360s be hot rodded to get a little more horsepower.

Mark

I have an '80, and there are a few other members with Miradas as well.

Mine "feels" pretty light to me, but I've never weighed it. People on the race forum say they are 3600lb+, but I'm not sure I believe that. Underneath the skin they are basically the same car as a 1976-89 Aspen/Volare/Diplomat/5th Ave.

Only 1980's came with the 360, 81-83 will either have a slant 6 or 318. The usual hot rod parts apply like they do to any other engine. A 4 barrel intake and carb (if it's a 2bbl) and headers are a good start. Hedman headers part #78050 meant for an A body fit perfectly, that's what I have on mine.

Mine was originally a slant 6, I built a mild 360 for it and swapped the weak 7 1/4 rear for a 8 3/4.

I like the Mirada, but prefer the Cordoba. They are a decent car in many respects. It's growing more difficult to find these cars. They did not sell real well, so decent examples are becoming less numerous. Many parts needed for these cars can be found on other Chrysler models of that era. The Mirada specific parts will probably be a little harder to locate.

The chassis is shared with the Diplomat, Grand Fury and Fifth Ave. Suspension pieces off a Diplomat or Grand Fury Cop car will significantly improve handling.

These cars were NOT noted for performance from the factory. I think the slant six was the standard engine. The standard 318 in that time period only had around 140 horsepower. The 360 was only available for 1 or 2 years in the Mirada. It's rare to even see a factory 360 car. Besides the weak engines, the next biggest problem is that most of them had 2.2 or 2.4 ratio rear axles.

If you like the body style, the cars can be significantly improved with a little effort. I'd swap in a stronger 8 1/4 rear axle with better gears. Installing an A500 or 518 Transmission will provide overdrive and retain good highway cruising manners with the new gears. Modifying the engine will depend on your local emission control laws. In many areas it is possible to swap in a magnum 318 or 360. The Magnum engines are fuel injected and often have around 230 horsepower.

When this is all completed, the car should be a great driver with acceptable performance and fuel economy.

I have an 80 Cordoba LS. It is a J-body Cordoba, like a Mirada, but no chrome grill, a plastic nose. It looks better that way to me.

A 68-70 B-body 8&3/4 rear axle is a bolt-in upgrade. Schumacher makes mounts for any engine (small block or big block wedge)

Mine feels like a 3400 lb vehicle. If you get underneath and REALLY look at the framerails, they aren't very beefy. It's basically a stretched F-body (Volare/Aspen) floorpan.

Nice styling/bodylines. The last 2 dr rear wheel drive Mopar.

Springs & Things sell HD rear leaf springs that eliminate the "ISO" style sloppy suspension bushings.

I believe there is or was a white one in cars for sale here on moparts recently. Is a white one with the 10 spoke alum rims which is the only cool factory choice of rims on them. Really cool cars. Had an 81 slant mirada with limited options, one of which was the somewhat rare cornering lights, which are nice to have, if you're still one of us that still use signals.

I like them, done up correctly they can be very nice cars. I would probably redo the whole drivetrain. You can stroke a 318 to 390 or a 360 to a 408, so a donor magnum junkyard engine could be a good start. You can put in a 4-speed setup out of a volare/aspen I think. A rear end with some decent gears, a 4-sp F-body od trans with a couple mods and an engine swap and you could have a nice performing, reliable and driveable combo that knocks down some reasonable mpg.

I like 'em!

Check out www.forfmjbodiesonly.com.

I have never owned one, like the looks.
A 392 stroker 318 with a decent set of heads and 4-barrel would do the trick. With a mild cam it'd drive like a regular car until you stood on the gas. Yes, the rear would have to be upgraded.
R.,

I am a big fan of Miradas. I have owned a few of them. I had an 80 with a 340/727/8 3/4. Ran great and was a very well recieved car locally.

Also had this 81 T top car with a 318 4 bbl and a 904 out of a 71 Satellite. This car had the stock axle, so it was a pig out of the hole, but ran well after that. This was a 3 year project car that I painted one piece at a time when I worked for the local dodge dealer.

My buddy had a Mirada CMX. He rebuilt the 340 from his 70 Duster and stuck it in the Mirada to break it in while he was restoring the Duster. We had a lot of fun in that car.

I've got a '83 318/904 Mirada, it stands out 'cause there aren't many atound here. The only downer to them is if your quarter panel extensions are busted up there aren't many replacement options for them that I know of. These guys http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm makes a complete rear fiberglass clip for them, but I don't have any idea how it fits. They're fairly easy to put a big-block in. This article tells about a big-block Diplomat swap, but it'll work in a J or F-body as well. http://www.dippy.org/forum2/index.php/topic,173.0.html Oops, just found out this link will only take you to the forum homepage, but if you'll click on the fourth topic down (The Library) then on Engines: Swaps: Big Block Swaps it'll get you there.

I like 'em, we've had a few Miradas and Cordobas.

As you can see from some of the above pics, it looks good with the rear wing from a similar year Trans Am mounted to the trunklid.

I've got an '80 with 440- used the shoemauker(SP) mounts and used c body exaust manifolds that are simalar to the RR ones.
Also had to slightly lower the pass inner fender just above the A-arm cam bolts for exaust manifold.
The only other thing that I can remember is I clearanced the K frame where the filter is (could have gotten by but gave it about 3/8 clearance.
Put a 68 imperial motor in w/50k on it runs REAL good --wife likes it
Kept all A/C hooked up and works great!
We really like the car,still got some more tweeking to do but too busy bailin hay!

I had an 82 Cordoba I drag raced. I scaled it one day. It was stripped down with one light weight racing seat in it. With no cage it weighed 3400 lbs.

I've had 3 J bodies. 1 Mirada /6 no air, and 2 LS's

Nice cars, but I like the late B bodies better. Great 2nd choice.