03-02-2017, 04:46 PM
Well I'm not talking about a 10 second car here but here's a break down on a possible build:
Body: 74 Duster/Dart, anything after 72 is dirt cheap because big brother killed what made these things popular. I can't even give away the entire front clip of my 73 and it's painted and rustfree.
Engine: few options here. Can easily pick up a running slant 6 for free, I couldn't give mine away and a lot of guys have em laying around due to V8 swaps. Turbocharging these things is cheap and easy. Can swap in a late 80s Mangum motor or if you're lucky a big block from an old motor home. Any of these options are easy to completely tear down and rebuild. A set of gaskets and little machine work and you'd likely be in business for a few years.
Trans: cheap 727s can be had fairly easy. Someone would have to take the lead on rebuilding it but I've been told it's not too terrible provided you take your time. Throw in a shift kit and/or manual valve body and you're ready to rock. Could probably even get away with a 904. I've seen plenty going what their core price is ($150)
rear: Jeff isn't going to be happy with this suggestion but a Ford 8.8 fits just fine under these cars. Just have to cut off the old spring perches and weld a new set on. You can get a limited slip diff, 3.73 gears, 31 spline axles all for $180. They're not too hard to rebuild either if we wanted to play it safe and change out all the bearings.
misc: will definitely need to redo the bushing in the front end but that's $200 and a weekend. A 74 should already come with disc brakes. Registering it as an antique gives you a lot of freedom with some limitations that shouldn't really prevent anything. Can pick up an 8 point roll bar kit from Jegs for $220 if you want to be super safe. Pretty much everything else can go. I'm sure people can handle not having AC/Heat
Body: 74 Duster/Dart, anything after 72 is dirt cheap because big brother killed what made these things popular. I can't even give away the entire front clip of my 73 and it's painted and rustfree.
Engine: few options here. Can easily pick up a running slant 6 for free, I couldn't give mine away and a lot of guys have em laying around due to V8 swaps. Turbocharging these things is cheap and easy. Can swap in a late 80s Mangum motor or if you're lucky a big block from an old motor home. Any of these options are easy to completely tear down and rebuild. A set of gaskets and little machine work and you'd likely be in business for a few years.
Trans: cheap 727s can be had fairly easy. Someone would have to take the lead on rebuilding it but I've been told it's not too terrible provided you take your time. Throw in a shift kit and/or manual valve body and you're ready to rock. Could probably even get away with a 904. I've seen plenty going what their core price is ($150)
rear: Jeff isn't going to be happy with this suggestion but a Ford 8.8 fits just fine under these cars. Just have to cut off the old spring perches and weld a new set on. You can get a limited slip diff, 3.73 gears, 31 spline axles all for $180. They're not too hard to rebuild either if we wanted to play it safe and change out all the bearings.
misc: will definitely need to redo the bushing in the front end but that's $200 and a weekend. A 74 should already come with disc brakes. Registering it as an antique gives you a lot of freedom with some limitations that shouldn't really prevent anything. Can pick up an 8 point roll bar kit from Jegs for $220 if you want to be super safe. Pretty much everything else can go. I'm sure people can handle not having AC/Heat