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Converting a FWD 85 shelby charger to RWD
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Posted by: fwdconversion

Does anyone have ANY ideas about what to do with a frame. I have a couple of suggestions already one of which is to make a tube farme for the car and the other is to use the frame from a small pick-up. I am open to all suggestions. I realize that this is gonig to take some major work but I think the end product will have been worth it.
The plan is to place either a small block or a hemi engine into the car. I know the car isn't the best of canadites for a hemi, but it is very light weight and I want something that will make these stupid import kids around here feel bad when they get beat by this ugly beast.
Thanks again
- Chris

Posted by: rodslinger

Try these

http://morris.accesszone.com/rwdadapter/

Also see if some Chrysler dealer can locate the below parts.

part number: P4529329 (4.5” Bolt Circle Conversion Kit)
part number: P4529533 (A Engine V-8 RWD Daytona K-Member Kit)

Posted by: Giz

I saw one done with a 350 chevy and It was a pile -o-crap

Giz

Posted by: QuikTurboZ

You can get a rear subframe from Jegs, either a 4 link or a ladder bar setup. For the front end I'd use a Mustang 2 front end. I'm going to be converting a Daytona soon. Basically it's like custom building a 30's Streetrod, same concept. Build a tube subframe for the front & add the custom frontend from a Mustang 2. I've built several streetrods as well as early 50's Chevy trucks that have been this way. That's the way to go.

As far as rear end housing... can you say A body Duster. Perfect width.

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

The Mopar Performance Chassis Manual talks about some of the possible ways to handle the front suspension, but not the rear. If I were doing this, I'd use a tube frame - as long as you're going to be doing huge amounts of cutting and welding, might as well design something especially for your application. Trying to weld in a minitruck frame could be even more trouble, since I suspect the rear half of most leaf springs would stick out beyond the end of the Charger.

Posted by: BROCK

Please contact me with pictures or just e-mails on your progress. I have a 1990 laser im putting a v8 in, a 360/727 out of an early 70's van. I have not started yet, i have the car, motor and tranny but i can't afford the leafsprings and 8 3/4 rear from the junkyard yet. I am a steel fabricator by trade and mopar nut by heart so if you have any questions or need any help please contact me at www.barracuda@yahoo.com. I know my stuff on car building I own a 69 roadrunner 440BB, a 69 cuda 383BB and a 74 charger 400BB don't be afraid to e-mail, Thanks.

Posted by: rampage1

This project is a fun one. The Daytona kit from Mopar will not fit the Charger. The Charger is narrower than the Daytona.
If you want a strong car, build a tube chassis. The cheapest way is a Jegs rear 4 link kit, a mustang2 front clip, 2x3 frame, and a roll bar or cage to tie it all together. I have a 440 Rampage and I know it works. If you have any questions send me an email to distinctimages@sympatico.ca and I will try to help you out.

Posted by: MCCxPower

jepp

Posted by: jmc72

I am planning on doing a similar thing with an 86 laser that I have. though I am looking at a 2.5L turbo rather than a V8.
the principle is the same though I would like to burn some foriegn cars with american muscle. I am in the process now or laying out the design of the tube chassis and front suspension I have decided to go with a satchell link suspension in the rear for handling purposes and to eliminate the need for a panhard bar.
good luck with your conversion

Posted by: jedimaster

In fact I came across this board just the other day becasue of this post. I am coverting my '90 Plymouth Acclaim 4 door, 2.5l fwd 4 cyl, into a RWD 360 V8 powered car.
I have the engine hung inside the bay and am working out what accessories I can keep and what ones I'll have to lose, AC is gone, but Power brakes and Power steering should be able to stay.

Posted by: jedimaster

I can't sideload from my web host but here are the link to the 4 pictures so far. My cam sux so don't be too critical.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/TOES/v8accla1.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/TOES/v8accla2.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/TOES/v8accla3.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/TOES/v8accla4.jpg

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Wow, a V8 in a 4 door Plymouth Acclaim? Man, that is going to be one sick and twisted sleeper! Good luck with the project; I'll bet you'll shock a lot of people with it when it hits the road.

Posted by: jedimaster

Yuppers, can't wait to show up at the drags and leave a few mustangs and cramaroos and civics in the dust.

. I think I'l even leave the kids' car seats in for the runs.

Posted by: exline

I have allready done the conversion on a dodge daytona back in 2000.It worked out real well.I attended the chryslers at carlisle show in 2000 with it.I recently opened my own custom shop up full time for this type of work .I used the original front frame and fabricated the rear section frome 2x3 tubing.I kept the front suspension switching the spindles side to side so the rack would mount from the front and used rack from a 89 dakota.I also frabricated my owk crossmember for the suspension to mount to ,I have a jig to build these if anyone needs one.Also used a rear from an E body cuda and re drilled axles to use smaller bolt pattern.The car looks stock except under the hood.O yea just droped a new 5.7 hemi in to be done for next summer.I have all the pictures and info you might need this works great! Lots of outher stuff to do also this was the major ones.You can email me at exlinecustomauto@frontiernet.net if you have any questions.

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