Looking for general discussion as I'm on the fence about the following:

I've inherited a '71 Charger with a # Matching 440 Magnum and I've also gotten the opportunity to get a wrecked 2020 Hellcat Challenger. I've been on the fence about what I want to drop into my truck, and for awhile I was on that Viper Engine swap kick, but now I've got more options. My truck is mostly toasted at this point as I've been having a lot of issues with it running and haven't been able to pinpoint the problems, and I want to do a semi to full restoration on it anyway (swapping to a 78/79 Grill/Headlights as well as making it a shortbed.) and the frame was bent from previous owner so looking at probably a Crown Vic frame swap or I know there's a few companies that make new frames for the first gens now.

That being said, for engine options, do I go with putting the Hellcat powertrain into it, or do I pull the 440 from the Charger and build that up, while dropping the Hellcat into the Charger? I'd love to have a Hellcat Charger, but I can always pick up another engine in the future as the Charger is currently running. What would you guys do?

 

I'd leave that 440 car together.

You havent described the truck much. Even a used modern magnum with OD trans and suitable axle gearing should wake up a light truck.

I dont see the need to change the suspension. The stock dodge stuff isn't as primitive as i-beams. Its pretty easy to get another dodge frame chunk - folks scrap them unless i find them first! Look at it as a chance to go from 1/2 to 3/4ton. Stronger frame and bigger brakes.

 

Sorry, I’ve had it 2 years now and it’s been a headache almost the entire time. It’s a D100 3.9l long bed 2WD. New KYB shocks and I ditched the message center to put in a touchscreen radio. Replaced the valve cover gaskets (still slow leaks oil from one of the screws) and the thermostat housing had a bolt break and while I’ve tried to tap and redrill it, it leaks coolant. Had a hole on drivers floorboard that we screwed an aluminum plate over and then put in new carpet, but the back window leaks so I’ll probably have to replace that again anyway. Drivers door has something up with the window. I replaced the scissor arms after I sheared the window handle off, but both the old and new one jam up the window about halfway and you have to pull on the top of the window to get it free to go the rest of the way up.

Have also considered just trying to find a 78/79 short bed in decent body condition and using the 88 for any parts, or parting it out to offset costs.

 

Hellcat motor.

Would be a major project, and the truck would be SERIOUSLY over powered...... but man oh man, would that be FUN!

 

Yeah I wanted something that could hang with all the Pro Street guys around here. We have 2 drag tracks (one is an 45-60 minute drive, but it's only that long because of the damn lights on the highway).

 

I had a 88 D150 longbed for parts. The frame is especially flimsy. I would shorten up a d250 frame to run any real power.

 

You didn't go into any more detail but assuming it's a R/T they produced 2504 of them. If you have a 4 speed it's 332 and 2172 for the autos. Not as desirable as the 69-70's but definitely worth keeping together. You mention changing the grill to a 78/9, Don't quite understand why people do this. I bought my 78 first then years later got a 90. Both where used as daily drivers but after i got my second gen truck i sold the 90. The old 70's trucks are to good looking to sell! From what you are describing it sounds like you want a pro street truck. I would see if you can find 78/9 and start there. I would lower it and put in a narrowed rear with tubs! Now that would be fun to drive! Big motor and small tires is not. The frames are channels so boxing them will increase the strength. It's your decision what you want but sounds like a fun build.

 

It's an R/T, Automatic. I haven't seen the car since I was a kid and is currently sitting in storage, and I'm waiting for the new title to show up from the MVA.

I LOVE the look of the 78/79 with the vertical markers in the grill and round headlights which is why I had planned on swapping that out on my 88. I'm not against just getting a 78/79 shortbed either and letting my 88 go for someone else's project. I originally got it because my father had an 89 when I was younger and it was a nostalgia buy. That being said, on the build, I still want something I can drive between ME and FL (Wife's family is ME and NYC, Mine is MD and FL, so lots of East Coast Cruising). I may have mistermed it? I know there's a lot of classic car guys here in MD that have the bigger rear tires and small front ones, but they're not drag slicks. I know gas mileage will be garbage, and I'm ok with that (We'll have her cars for the mileage.)

 

i would say if you can't figure out what is going on with what you got a engine swap is likely the last thing you should be doing to the truck since you would likely not be very good a trouble shooting an even more complex setup.

 

Maybe a 360 with twin turbos would fit the bill?