I've been lusting after a reasonably priced convertable. Got to thinking about a mid to late 80's vett as a cheap, comfortable possibility the otherday, but it ain't Mopar.

Then it hit me, buy a vett, upgrade the engine to a late Hemi.

Anyone know of this being done, any sites with info?

Thanks

RJR

 

The 84 models seem to be pretty inexpensive. Was that the first year they went to that style body? Could be a good candidate if the low value is performance related.

 

Yea, thats the first year for that style.
C1-53-62
C2:63-67
C3:68-82
C4:84-96
C5:97-04
C6:05-up

Pretty much the late 70s-early 90s are really fairly reasonably priced

 

I did read in hot rod mag that the late model hemi motors have the same bell housing bolt pattern as the gm trannys sans 2 bolts. One hole can be elongated to fit and most people leave the other one out. Since you can by stand alone tranny controlers for the gm trannys they recomend useing the GM trannys with the hemi motors when doing engine swaps. That makes you one step in the right direction if you do this. Also in case you didn't know there is now a 392 ci crate motor version of the hemi that is avaible with a carb or SMPI fuel injection and computer that is rated at 500hp. I would love to put one of them in my old dart.

 

74dart, the crate Hemi is what got me to thinking about the Hemi Vett.

Can you imagine the indignation from the hard core Chevy guys, driving up and kicking butt with a Mopar Vett, LOL.

Good info. Thanks, RJR

 

If you decide to do this and you go to get the hemi from a junk yard be sure to get the computer with the motor and the vin of the car that it came out of. There aren't many options for computer upgrades and the ones from ma mopar require the vin of the car for them. I have a hot rod mag that has a whole section laid out for engine swaps for the big 3. Also allpar.com has alot of good info on dodge stuff, dodgeforum.com and turbododge.com are some other good websights that can help you out.

 

Ah yes, that is a sweet engine. Only problem? I can think of 15,895 of them ($$) Thats what both version run; Carb runs 540hp/490trq and SEFI is 525hp/510trq...theres also a longblock available...

http://www.mopartsracing.com/parts/blocks.html

But DANG, that would be sweet in my 70 Challenger!!! (or the Roadrunner even)

 

As soon as I win the lottery I will go and order one for my dart. Couple that with a ford 9" positrack and a GM 4 speed auto tranny and you would have one sweet combination.

 

If I were going to all that trouble I would stick in a LS series engine, more HP for less grief.

I like my truck, but you have to admit, GM powertrain division has done their homework on their engines....