Fitting a recent engine to a 60's 70's muscle car.

[ZR1cliff]

Anyone had experience of difficulties like wiring in the engine management system, or other small things like 'electronic to cable' speedo.

I can handle the transplant myself, but would struggle to accomplish the above and similar problems. Are there any companies out there who could take care of those duties?

[shovelheadrob]

There are various companies that do stand alone engine management systems, we used http://bigstuff3.com/products/ on the race car, but there are plenty of others to choose from. It won't be a cheap option, but it will give you a lot more tuneability & choice of aftermarket stuff.

[ZR1cliff]

shovelheadrob said:

There are various companies that do stand alone engine management systems, we used http://bigstuff3.com/products/ on the race car, but there are plenty of others to choose from. It won't be a cheap option, but it will give you a lot more tuneability & choice of aftermarket stuff.

The engine loom will already have the factory Engine management system wired in, which I will want to use for ease. Was just wondering how difficult it would be to wire the newer engine loom into the wiring of an older car. And if there's a company out there that handles such work.

[malc350]

Cliff, for a man of your calibre (and I know what swap you want to do...) I would try and plan it out for yourself, working out and researching what wire on the ecu and sensors goes to where so you can connect gauges and control engine functions.

I'd first get a plan of what each wire on the ecu does, then work out the sensors.

Plus there's connecting up an electric fuel pump with adequate flow and volume.

An aftermarket company would no doubt charge plenty just to work out that stuff.

P.S. Mechanically for the swap you're interested in I'd look a lot at clearance issues with the steering, suspension and inner wings of the Mustang as the lump comes out of a car with a rack, totally different suspension, and virtually no engine bay metalwork to get in the way...

Malc

[ZR1cliff]

Hi Malc, first step is getting the Mach1 MOT'd for spring (they, the garage started restoring the engine bay last week) Brakes are also being stripped down.

I was going to go stock, short term anyway , so the 302 is being stripped and rebuilt.

Long term - I want the car to make use of my spare parts and think I can get the Mach1 to house a 4 cam 375hp - maybe 500 hp with some mods, plus a bit of gas flowing. I've just bought some heads and cams, should be with me soon.

With the 6 speed and some gearing I'm sure I can maybe get the same performance figures as my stock ZR-1, close anyway, whilst getting over 30 mpg while cruising.

I'll build the motor up myself and handle the transplant, only thing I'll struggle on is the electrics.

You raise some good points, although the engine bay on 71-73 stangs are probably the largest. Which helps. Will check the cross member and these days there are more options for the steering.

[ZR1cliff]

Also Malc, A) have restored and rewired a 71 stang some years back so will be willing to make the job easier. B) Think the all Ali motor shouldn't present any weight problems.

[Matt Harper]

Isn't the current resto-rodding trend to do it t'other way around - i.e. to put the old school shell on the modern platform.
I recall seeing a show recently ("Overhaulin' or similar) where they hacked a new Charger SRT-8 to pieces just leaving the floor and drive-line, effectively - and then grafted a 68/69 Charger 'fuselage' body onto it.

[Matt Harper]

A little more here...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,...

[malc350]

Matt Harper said:

Isn't the current resto-rodding trend to do it t'other way around - i.e. to put the old school shell on the modern platform.
I recall seeing a show recently ("Overhaulin' or similar) where they hacked a new Charger SRT-8 to pieces just leaving the floor and drive-line, effectively - and then grafted a 68/69 Charger 'fuselage' body onto it.

Can't remember the show name but it was West Coast Customs that did it. They made the car for one of the CSI actors, Gary Dourdan who apparently is car-mad, aren't we all? Looked absolutely fantastic, green Charger running on huge rims with modern reliability, comfort and economy. A restomod that really looked classic all at the same time and one of the best interpretations I have ever seen (no I don't work for WCC!)

Here's their website: http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/

[powerstroke]

malc350 said:

Matt Harper said:

Isn't the current resto-rodding trend to do it t'other way around - i.e. to put the old school shell on the modern platform.
I recall seeing a show recently ("Overhaulin' or similar) where they hacked a new Charger SRT-8 to pieces just leaving the floor and drive-line, effectively - and then grafted a 68/69 Charger 'fuselage' body onto it.

Can't remember the show name but it was West Coast Customs that did it. They made the car for one of the CSI actors, Gary Dourdan who apparently is car-mad, aren't we all? Looked absolutely fantastic, green Charger running on huge rims with modern reliability, comfort and economy. A restomod that really looked classic all at the same time and one of the best interpretations I have ever seen (no I don't work for WCC!)

Here's their website: http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/

I supose it's great for non car, car people! so incredbly dull and soulless, surely the fun of the classic car is a little tinkering and getting to know it I think like a little hicup from a carb or brakes that pull vague steering the smell of oil .. something like say a 69 charger is a real drivers car ie you need a bit more than average skill to drive it and need think about what you are doing otherwise things get a bit hairy very quickly and as a result its very rewarding and involving ....

[malc350]

There are arguments for and against really. I like the old cars but get the new ones because they're more useable and use considerably less fuel. Another excuse to mention my old 71 455HO Trans Am again: I would really love another one but I can't live with 6-8 mpg in normal driving. I'd only end up using it every 6 months...

[Matt Harper]

powerstroke said:

so incredbly dull and soulless,

I think that the cars wheels are shockingly bad and the wierd adenda for the sound system, coupled with the mismatching of the interior (the dash pad in particular and the seats being way too big for this car) is ill-conceived, but to state that factory reliable 425hp/425lb/ft (both significantly higher than original 440 or 426ci options) is 'incredibly dull and soulless' is somewhat strange.
They could have installed a Mopar 426 crate with a high lift to make it more lumpy and aggressive, but there is merit in refined muscle too. Just my opinion.
Finally, I'm usually averse to green cars, but the paint on that Charger is spectacular.