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Maybe a crazy idea? #2444519
02/01/18 10:44 AM
02/01/18 10:44 AM
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Spartan040 Offline OP
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I've had another one of my complicated and expensive ideas that I think could be really cool. I looked up the dimensions for both the 1970 Challenger and the 2016 Camaro, and they're actually surprisingly close. Very close in wheelbase length and only 3" difference in overall length and height, 1" difference in width. Would it be remotely possible to put the Camaro chassis into the Challenger? I only ask because the modern Camaro handles extremely well, but I'm not sure if it would end up being better, worse, or not worth whatever advantage would be gained versus the aftermarket options already out there like the Hotchkiss TVS, or the AlterKtion and Street Lynx kits? If I did this would I have to switch to a gen 3 Hemi or could I manage to keep the big block?

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2444530
02/01/18 11:11 AM
02/01/18 11:11 AM
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up yours
Supercuda Offline
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Anything is remotely possible.

But the fact that you are asking tells me you don't have the skill set, so then the question become, exactly how fat is your wallet?

There was a gent who did something similar with an LX and a B body, well documented on the web and the effort involved was huge..

Here's one

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/srt8-daytona-clone-done-nc-wont-let-drive/

Another

https://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=17423


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2444533
02/01/18 11:13 AM
02/01/18 11:13 AM
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Spartan040 Offline OP
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I don't have the skill set, but I do have access to friends who do that may be willing to help me. Thanks for those links, I'll take a look.

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2444576
02/01/18 12:57 PM
02/01/18 12:57 PM
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CJD AUTOMOTIVE Offline
mopar
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Here's the one I did. You can't just cut the body off and slip the other one on...

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/srt8-roadrunner-conversion-not-a-body-over.99675/


Craig Scholl
CJD Automotive, LLC
Jacksonville, FL
www.CJDAUTOMOTIVE.com
904-400-1802

"I own a Mopar. I already know it won't be in stock, won't ship tomorrow, and won't fit without modification"
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2444592
02/01/18 01:20 PM
02/01/18 01:20 PM
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Supercuda Offline
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That's the one I was thinking of but could not find


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2445010
02/02/18 01:42 AM
02/02/18 01:42 AM
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DAYCLONA Offline
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Originally Posted By Spartan040
I've had another one of my complicated and expensive ideas that I think could be really cool. I looked up the dimensions for both the 1970 Challenger and the 2016 Camaro, and they're actually surprisingly close. Very close in wheelbase length and only 3" difference in overall length and height, 1" difference in width. Would it be remotely possible to put the Camaro chassis into the Challenger? I only ask because the modern Camaro handles extremely well, but I'm not sure if it would end up being better, worse, or not worth whatever advantage would be gained versus the aftermarket options already out there like the Hotchkiss TVS, or the AlterKtion and Street Lynx kits? If I did this would I have to switch to a gen 3 Hemi or could I manage to keep the big block?



The easier approach would be to just re-skin the Camaro with AMD/Goodmark/dynacorn Challenger repro sheetmetal, this way you retain all the engineered value put into the Camaro chassis/driveline, rather than frankensteining both cars, it would be a less daunting project that way

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2445165
02/02/18 01:00 PM
02/02/18 01:00 PM
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TC@HP2 Offline
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New Camaros are a uni-body construction, not a full frame vehicle, so it would certainly take some slicing and dicing to put a Challenger on top of them. I also think you would play heck getting all the GM electronics to play with Mopar engine and drivelines...unless you plan on leaving the LS driveline intact.

Firm Feel, Hotchkis, and XV have all done pretty extensive research on how to get significantly improved handling out of the stock based systems. If you simply want a cruiser that is fun to throw around, I think any of these can achieve that goal for significantly less headache and expense. Creating such hybrid mashups of old and new tech, much less crossbreeding brands, are never a good return on expense vs achievements unless you are using it to demonstrate your capability as a shop.

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: TC@HP2] #2445173
02/02/18 01:19 PM
02/02/18 01:19 PM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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here is even a "crazier" idea. search around and find a vintage mopar skinned onto a late, rear drive charger or magnum. it would be the best of both worlds, all mopar, and more than likely, 50 cents on the dollar. plus, it will be done and you can drive tomorrow. up
beer

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: moparx] #2450507
02/12/18 03:06 AM
02/12/18 03:06 AM
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Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Online content
Still wishing...
Twostick  Online Content
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There was a 68 Charger at Moparfest a few years ago that was spliced onto an LX Charger RT. IIRC the guy claimed to have done it in his 1 car garage with his sons.

The car looked like it grew that way. Black and magazine pretty.

Kevin

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Twostick] #2490096
04/30/18 06:57 PM
04/30/18 06:57 PM
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dogdays Offline
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Every ponycar ever built was a unibody. The closest you'll get to a frame is the front subframe on early Camaros (there may be others with a subframe.

The best solution for making a really good handling '70 Challenger is to buy a complete frame kit from Detroit Speed and Engineering or Art Morrison. They start at $10,000 and are supposedly a bolt-on with the latest suspension. You can even get IRS if you're not going to drag race it.

Those are only the first two that come to mind, pick up a copy of Street Rodder and look at the ads.

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: dogdays] #2490371
05/01/18 12:13 PM
05/01/18 12:13 PM
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NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
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Also consider SCHWARTZ PERFORMANCE.. as they have full frame assemblies.. very impressive.. I've been to their facility in NW Illinois.


Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2494726
05/11/18 12:14 PM
05/11/18 12:14 PM
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Sweet5ltr Offline
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Let's look at it this way,

3,200# e-body.
Hotchkis suspension with 1.10" torsion bars & adjustable fox-shocks.
13" Baer / Wilwood / Dr.Diff brakes.
Modern, custom or (modern Ford) 17-18" wheels with -good- tires.
Ready-to-run on a crate, 5.7 Hemi & TR6060 trans for 6-8k (eBay).
Hydroboost swap.
Power steering, 14:1 ratio.
-way- ahead of trying to Frankenstein an lx mopar / gm chassis and challenger body. I don't even see why a custom chassis even comes into the equation, when all the testing / R&D has been done with the factory style suspension upgrades from companies like Hotchkis.

You do know the new Ford GT runs a torsion bar suspension right? It won the 24-hour of Le Mans. Unfortunately, we don't have a valve actuated coil spring to manipulate our ride height / spring rate.

There is no reason why a Challenger can't be built to handle / perform exceptionally well, without going into the deep end financially and using off-the-shelf parts. It will just take more effort to drive at the limit, but the limit is exactly the same. Ever turned all the electronic management systems off on a modern car making 400+ HP? Don't.

Last edited by Sweet5ltr; 05/11/18 12:25 PM.

1969 Plymouth Road Runner (440 w/ Boost! RIP) now a low-deck 470 with hotchkis suspension, nascar boom tube exhaust, & big brakes.
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2494822
05/11/18 05:12 PM
05/11/18 05:12 PM
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savoy64 Offline
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my sons friend has a 59 bellaire sectioned onto a 96 police caprice----first on the police unit they cut off the entire body leaving the rolling pan with the firewall---next they cut off the floor pan of the 59 bellaire---in 5 days they had a running car---the friend--dan of bitchin stitchin of lakewood colorado spent a couple years putting together the interior---- well because that is what he does----seated in the car it looks brand new----outside the car its original red/orange paint---but the lt1 motor is capable of 150 mph...we have talked of doing that with a 50 hudson/2006 300c........

Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: savoy64] #2494838
05/11/18 06:06 PM
05/11/18 06:06 PM
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Sweet5ltr Offline
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Originally Posted By savoy64
my sons friend has a 59 bellaire sectioned onto a 96 police caprice----first on the police unit they cut off the entire body leaving the rolling pan with the firewall---next they cut off the floor pan of the 59 bellaire---in 5 days they had a running car---the friend--dan of bitchin stitchin of lakewood colorado spent a couple years putting together the interior---- well because that is what he does----seated in the car it looks brand new----outside the car its original red/orange paint---but the lt1 motor is capable of 150 mph...we have talked of doing that with a 50 hudson/2006 300c........


Makes more sense being a 59' Bel Air and not a 70' Challenger when we're talking about frame-off body swaps. Chevrolet Caprice (police cars) were a dime-a-dozen, they were practically liquidated, so there was no drawback sawzalling it in half like a $10,000(+) high-mileage donor SRT etc. I know a lot of guys in the Ford world transplant the Crown Vic' frame/driveline with IFS into early F-series trucks, same idea, liquidated donor pricing being ex-police cars. There are better ways with the aftermarket support to increase the performance of our cars, especially the popular e-body Mopars.

Last edited by Sweet5ltr; 05/11/18 06:08 PM.

1969 Plymouth Road Runner (440 w/ Boost! RIP) now a low-deck 470 with hotchkis suspension, nascar boom tube exhaust, & big brakes.
Re: Maybe a crazy idea? [Re: Spartan040] #2494912
05/11/18 09:48 PM
05/11/18 09:48 PM
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savoy64 Offline
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i agree there is a pile of nondescript mopars that could under go a sawsall treatment without much blow back----makes me more than a little sad to see an E body get turned into a 4x4 by putting it on top of some ill suited chassis.....or even a corvette frame......







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