Goofball310 Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I knew I shouldn't have been browsing around the site..... Well, I've decided to hold on to my Noveske's and proceed with building another AR while trying to restore my Dad's 71 cuda. Money will be be tight between the two projects but I hope to have them both done in a timely manner. I'll try and use this thread to document both builds. AR Upper: Mega MKM extended rifle length Barrel: 6.5 Creedmoor 20" Proof Research BCG: JP low mass carrier Gas block: SLR rilfeworks DA7 adjustable Charge Handle: Raptor ambi CH Brake: Surefire SFMB-762 Sights: Troy folding Lowers: Mega MKM LPK: Armalite Trigger: Geissele national match Buffer tube: Armalite rifle length Buffer: Armalite rifle length Buffer Spring: JP polished & tuned spring Grip: Magpul MIAD Stock: Magpul PRS w/ extended butt-pad Selector: BADASS ambi Misc Bi-pod: Atlas Scope Mount: Bobro Scope: Trijicon TARS And for the car: It's a 1971 383 cuda that's originally Vitamin C orange with a 727 torqueflite transmission. The original motor is on a stand in the garage as well as a 392 hemi. I'm not sure what motor is in the car right now but definitely not going to keep it in there. I'm looking to restore the car to be a sunday cruiser and not a trailer queen with roughly 600hp to the wheels. So the restoration is not going to be a rotisserie resto but I do plan on replacing, rebuilding, cleaning, blasting, and powdercoating just about everything. I'm hoping some of you guys can help me decide on which motor to throw put into the car. I can throw in the 383 and get the original drivetrain back together or throw in the 392 hemi just because. Edited January 22, 2014 by Goofball310 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripledeuce Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I always liked the 383. good solid engine. Won't tear the motor mounts to shreads,. Respectfully Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 You can't just 'throw ' in that 392 Hemi! I know, I've done the swap and it's no bolt in affair. I don't want to derail this thread with car stuff (okay, start the flaming! :fawkdance: ) so if you want you can PM me and I'll be glad to explain what all is involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Cuda is a very cool ride.Just sayin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) What the hell might you know about a 392 hemi????....huh mr dude who chose 392heminut for a screen name? I smell BS.... I'm pretty sure with enough of us we could throw a 392heminut into it. But I bet it would be tough. Edited January 22, 2014 by DNP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Feel free to share any info about the swap here. I plan to document both the car and AR build in this thread. After you mentioned the swap you had done in your car I gave it some thought but that leaves me with these 2 motors. I can sell the 392 to help fund the project and buy the newer 392 hemi. Then I'd have to decide if I want to go EFI, carb'd, direct ignition packs, or distributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I'm pretty sure with enough of us we could throw a 392heminut into it. But I bet it would be tough. Not if you drop it from about 20 feet up! <lmao> Damn engine weighs 800 lbs.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Getting you to the top of a 20 foot ladder sounds like a struggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) The only thing I don't want to do is turn the car it into a full restomod. Not that I don't like them but because the car sits 80%ish complete and original I would feel guilty. Edited January 22, 2014 by Goofball310 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Getting you to the top of a 20 foot ladder sounds like a struggle. bwahahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 That 727 is a great trans, man. If it's on good shape, and you don't plan to do anything to it, at least pick up a TransGo Stage 2 kit for the valvebody, and mod that thing. Makes a WORLD of difference. My 46RE is derived from the 727, and I did that kit. You get the option to build it mild to wild, and I went a little bit more than halfway with it. Converted it to full manual control, too. Best thing I ever did to that trans, besides add a pretty big cooler for it. <thumbsup> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Dude you have to put the 383 in that Cuda ! I know all the right part combos . I have built 2 383's and even have spare hi pro parts in the garage .Had a 1970 Challenger and have a 1971 DC w/a 440. Had a 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 with a 383 when I was in high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 This is what I was hoping for with this restoration. A lot of input because from people that have experience because I am absolutely clueless about this car. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 There's a few companies that I've narrowed down to do the body restoration: US Car tool Empire Mopars Hodge Restoration Jeff Lilly Does anyone have any other recommendations? Trying to stay away from Cali as their costs tend to be higher than other states. I know they have more builders than any other state but I can get more for less from other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmopar Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Gen 1 hemi in a '71 cuda? :puke: No no no no no!!! Also, neither engine will meet your 600hp weekend cruiser goal without some sort of serious power adder. If you're serious about wanting our input, give us a budget to work with and are you married to those 2 engine blocks? Edited January 22, 2014 by gsmopar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I have a spare Weiand Tunnel Ram manifold I will sell him. Old man Loper set up my charger back in 85' when I had the 383 in it and I had least 700 hp out of that engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Total budget I'm trying to stay under $20k and would like to finish it this year but of course both of those figures mean nothing when restoring a car. I think I am gonna stay with the 383. My goal of 600hp was with some form of forced induction but after more thought I really just want a dependable Sunday cruiser and not a weekend drag car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmopar Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 20K for the engine or the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 You ccould rebuild the 383 for 10k and have plenty of power and reliablity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Fast. Cheap. Reliable. Pick two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmopar Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Street-able 600hp out of a little 383 is a tall order, and at that level the block is marginal. You're going to spend some $$cash$$ if that is the number you're shooting for. Take a look at this: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0605_mopar_performance_383_stroker_engine/ and part 2: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0608_mopar_performance_383_stroker_engine/ ...and incase you want to skip to the foot notes. They hit the 600hp mark on a 383 and it ended like this: Feeling encouraged, we swapped on a larger carb and got ready to make some serious power. But the third pull of the day ended quickly when a serious stream of smoke started to come out of the valve covers. A quick teardown revealed a split cylinder wall in the number six hole, so our day was over. Read more: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0608_mopar_performance_383_stroker_engine/engine_dyno_and_building_mistakes.html#ixzz2rAyrprUn Edited January 23, 2014 by gsmopar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 PAW in Chatsworth, CA still has complete engine rebuild kits for a moderate price.Get one of their catologs. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 383 or the hemi for street....600hp?...nope aint gonna happen :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 PAW in Chatsworth, CA still has complete engine rebuild kits for a moderate price.Get one of their catologs. . Mike, I think you've been out of the loop a while. PAW hasn't done catalog sales for a couple of years and is only selling parts on Ebay. Currently they don't even have anything listed for B/RB engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofball310 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 $20k is for the entire restoration. I have no plans for a frame off or rotisserie build at this moment and I can do a lot of the disassembly and reassembly myself. That $20k amount is not set in stone and can quickly change once I get the car in my possession. I really need to assess the quality of the body work and paint job that was done a few years ago to see determine how much I will have to spend towards the motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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