1968 GTX Resto-Mod

[dpaul63]

I finally got around to starting a thread on my 68 GTX build. I would appreciate any and all input on my car. It is on it's third iteration, so I may have created a money pit, but it has been a dream of mine since I saw my first GTX in elementary school. Now I'm 53, retired twice and now I have the money and the time to see my dream come true. My GTX is still in fabrication, so I will be posting pictures of the build as it progresses. For now I'm going to post some pictures of the car and the build of my Gen III 433 c.i. aluminum hemi. Thanks for looking and please feel free to post your input on my thread.

 

[Riverdawg]

Good luck on the new iteration. Looks like it's going to be a killer build. Love the wheels.

 

[Pistol Pete]

Look forward to seeing this one.

Good luck with it.

 

[Mike67]

Looking good!

 

[dpaul63]

Looking good!

I know I didn't give any specifics about the build, so my next posts will be about what this iteration of the build is all about. In another thread I posted for input about using a 4L80 instead of a 727. The goal of the build is to have a car that is fun to drive and has modern conveniences, while paying homage to the unique lines of the coke bottle design that made me a Mopar fan when I was in elementary school. So towards that goal I am having Joey Arrington build me an aluminum Gen III hemi courtesy of John Mercedes from Southeast Performance. I would tell everybody that reads this thread to talk to John about your Mopar needs. My GTX is still in the fabrication stage where a custom air ride is being built by LVLD fabrication. My front end is a IFS from Control Freak. Allon from LVLD is marrying the airside system to the front IFS and my rear triangulated Control Freak 4 link. Once that is done he will add an inch to each quarter to keep from having to build a bigger tub for the tires. I will be running 335 x 22 in the rear, and 275 x 22 in the front. I freely admit that I don't have the physical ability, nor the knowledge to build her on my own. So to many this will be seen as a checkbook build. It really doesn't matter to me how she is seen, as long as I can take a beautiful GTX and put her back on the road. By the way, she will be painted Electric Blue Metallic when she comes out of fab. My avatar is the rendering of what Imhope she looks like when we're done!

The engine is a 433 c.i. stroker. The heads have been ported and polished by a man that John swears is a wizard and can squeeze the absolutely most flow out of the 6.1 heads. The cam is a custom grind by Comp Cams. Joey used a nice looking girdle on the block. Joey also used a Mulnar rotating assembly, 6.1/426, CP Carillo forged blower pistons. She has been purpose built for forced induction. I will be using a Stage 3 Edelbrock TVS blower. Joey is waiting for the blower to come in and all I have to do is donate a kidney or sell my plasma for the next couple of years to pay for it all. I am not rich. In fact, I have only my Marine Corps retirement pay and my VA disability pay to live on, but sometimes you have to lay it all on the line to see a dream come true!

 

[Mike67]

Sounds like it's going to be an awesome machine regardless of who is doing the work!
As for the coke bottle shape, that's what always drew me to the b bodies, I love those hips....these too!

 

[dpaul63]

Sounds like it's going to be an awesome machine regardless of who is doing the work!
As for the coke bottle shape, that's what always drew me to the b bodies, I love those hips....these too!

View attachment 363961 View attachment 363962

I always wondered why I was always attracted to B bodies; now I know!!

 

[Budnicks]

Looks & sounds like a cool/interesting build,
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I like the wheel/style choices too...
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Thanks for you service to Marine, it can't be said enough...

 

[dpaul63]

Looks & sounds like a cool/interesting build,
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I like the wheel/style choices too...
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Thanks for you service to Marine, it can't be said enough...

Thanks Budnicks! My GTX has a been a roller coaster ride that's been a 3 year ordeal. The first builder clipped me to the tune of well over $30K. The money hurt, but he also stole some rare trim parts and assorted interior and exterior parts, which hurt the most. It broke the bank so I had to wait until I had enough money to start again. It's the same old story that you hear all too often. The real tragedy was that a close friend of mine was battling pancreatic cancer and wanted to ride in my GTX because he was a Mopar maniac. We lost him and all I could think of was how I failed him because I was dumb enough to trust a man. I think I keep the project going because of him. When she's done I'll take his son for a ride and hope it's enough.

 

[dpaul63]

New pictures of my hemi with the Edelbrock stage 3 supercharger installed. I plan on being at Joey Arrington's shop to see the dyne runs. The engine is finished with the exception of a few miscellaneous parts. Tell me what you think!

 

[Sweet5ltr]

View attachment 365457View attachment 365458
New pictures of my hemi with the Edelbrock stage 3 supercharger installed. I plan on being at Joey Arrington's shop to see the dyne runs. The engine is finished with the exception of a few miscellaneous parts. Tell me what you think!

Looks insane(ly expensive!!! lol), what kind of numbers is Joey expecting from this build?

 

[dpaul63]

Looks insane(ly expensive!!! lol), what kind of numbers is Joey expecting from this build?

Don't quote me, but she should be in the 800-900 hp range. You are absolutely right! It is insanely expensive.

 

[Budnicks]

View attachment 365457View attachment 365458
New pictures of my hemi with the Edelbrock stage 3 supercharger installed. I plan on being at Joey Arrington's shop to see the dyne runs. The engine is finished with the exception of a few miscellaneous parts. Tell me what you think!

Looks Sweet !!

can't wait to see the finished product photos & videos...

 

[Sweet5ltr]

Don't quote me, but she should be in the 800-900 hp range. You are absolutely right! It is insanely expensive.

Absolutely ridiculous, I would have went 6.1/6.4 as well if I were to do it today (stroked to 426ci of course ). Only negative aspect of modern drivelines are that they become outdated within a decade, I mean, remember all the street rods with L98's and LT1's just a few years ago? Now they all have LS2's and LS3's.. Everything cost money when it comes down to it, and you can't take it with you when you go! Love your build, can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[5.7 hemi]

F yeah!!

 

[dpaul63]

F yeah!!

Thanks for all the input! I'll be one step closer to seeing my GTX on the road once more. Now all I have to worry about is the installation. I can't believe how freaking cool the engine looks. The red MSD coil packs do stand out. So I'm looking for suggestions on how to proceed on making the motor blend in better with the electric blue metallic. I love the Moroso onyx valve covers, and am quite pleased that the Edelbrock blower is black. So hit me up with any comments on the engine or how to make the engine stand out.

 

[Mike67]

Looks bad *** and very futuristic! Almost like something you would expect to see on Captain Kirks hot rod!

 

[Mike67]

I think the mix of red, black and aluminum will blend just fine with the blue you have. Should be a nice contrast.

 

[dpaul63]

Panheadchuck, are you out there brother? Hope you take a look at her and let me know how the stroker I traded you is doing.

 

[moparnation74]

Coming along Nice!