jhaas
New Reader
3/11/09 11:21 p.m.
well here it goes...i am attempting to build the first hemi powered challenge car. i just got back from jackson georgia where i picked up a complete 2004 5.7 hemi complete with trans and wiring/computer. ebay hemi i can't believe it didn't sell at that price, i talked her down to $1000 off ebay. last week i scored a 74 dodge dart swinger. i've got $400 plus a trade in the dart. you do the math. ill have pics up this weekend.
i know im gonna need some help on the engine wiring, so i need a good open-minded 5.7 hemi forum, not a bunch of kids, not a bunch of old farts.
pres589
New Reader
3/12/09 12:29 a.m.
I hope this build is heavily documented. I love early to mid-70's Darts, although I've never owned one, but this kind of thing makes that sound too good to pass up.
Crikey mate, can't wait to see that
I have an awesome codename for this:
Project: Lawn Dart
jhaas
New Reader
3/12/09 7:15 a.m.
John Brown wrote: Project: Lawn Dart
i like it!
I know this project will be heavily scrutinized, so the build will be on this thread for everyone to see and comment along the way.
Damn! Nice score! Here at work I just sold one of those engines for $1350, for just the engine. Well done!
Lawn Dart sounds like a killer project!
mmmm....new Hemi in old A-body....that's hawt. Count me in with the "nice score, now document the build heavily" crowd.
< hillbilly > That thang got a Hemi in it? < /hillbilly >
Sorry, I couldn't resist. Awesome deal. I'm really looking forward to seeing this at the challenge. Please document this as much as you can so we can all follow along while drooling.
jhaas
New Reader
3/12/09 8:54 a.m.
OK guys here are some pics...




Adding myself to the watch list.
Nice score for four bills. How rusty?
btp76
New Reader
3/12/09 11:06 a.m.
This months Car Craft has six pages on swapping a new hemi into an old mopar...
A buddy of mine has a 5.7 build thread on Moparts for his '67 Barracuda convertible. I don't have the link handy but it should be easy to find.
I couldn't tell from the engine bay photo but if the Dart has power steering the box will want to occupy the same space as the #1 exhaust. A manual steering box will fix that issue.
-Rob
Haas, too bad that weren't a 4 door red Valiant...

John Brown wrote:
Haas, too bad that weren't a 4 door red Valiant...
I could still try to run him off the road with a tanker truck if that would help with the theme.
[ John starts searching for Peterbuilt 281 tractors under Challenge budget ]
gamby
SuperDork
3/12/09 12:21 p.m.
Within the Challenge budget or not, this is going to be epic.

OT, I LOVE http://www.imcdb.org/
Nashco
SuperDork
3/12/09 12:37 p.m.
Sounds like a fun project! My old man has an old Mopar (Charger) that I've been trying to get him to do a Hemi swap into instead of the 340 he's got in the shop. Maybe your build would help bolster the idea that it CAN be done on the cheap. He knows I can do stuff on the cheap, but since I haven't specifically done any hemi swaps he's still skeptic. :)
Bryce
that will be an awesome car when you are doing. please don't give up. and keep posting pictures.