1969 Dodge Charger Base vs RT

[Michael_]

Hi,

Im still in for a 1969 Dodge Charger.
Im looking for a RT but i found a REALLY nice 383 Car.

If i would want to upgrade this car to RT specs Drivetrain and Handling Wise what would
i have to replace and how much would these parts gonna cost?

The Car is really nice and the price pretty good.
But is it worth it?

I am looking at a 440 Engine, HD 727 and everthing Behind.
Im also looking at Suspension/Handling Upgrades.
Whats the difference suspension/handling wise Base vs RT Car? What would i have to buy/install if i would want
it to handle as good or better as an RT Car?

How much would i have to spend on parts in total? (round about)
Normally i would not consider buying a non RT but this one is really nice and priced right.

 

[Demonic]

Is it a 383 original 4 bbl? They are 330 HP, came with the same exhaust manifolds and air cleaner as the 440. They will run very well with a little tuning. Suspension - The torsion bars are the big difference. Upgrade to 1" bars and rebuild the suspension stock and you'll be fine.

 

[Michael_]

No its a 2 bbl Car.

 

[Kern Dog]

Even so.
Everything that differentiated a base Charger to an R/T is easily obtained or even surpassed.
Bigger torsion bars, stiffer leaf springs, some emblems....
The 8 3/4" axle was the same, the Dana was used in 4 speed cars.

 

[70chall440]

Exactly right, there was no magic to an RT, all Chargers started life exactly the same, along the assembly line parts were added to make them into whatever they were destined to be. If you found a clean Charger you can afford, BUY IT... you can make it into anything you want (without cutting it up) and as stated, even better.

 

[Kern Dog]

How adventurous are you?

I bought a wrecked and ignored '70 Charger for $5000 and am slowly bringing it back.

 

[Lionized]

How adventurous are you?

View attachment 918474 View attachment 918475 View attachment 918476 View attachment 918477

I bought a wrecked and ignored '70 Charger for $5000 and am slowly bringing it back.

Nice work!
Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Kern Dog]

If I ram-rod through it, It would be like rushing through sex with a beautiful woman. I'm taking my time here!

 

[chargervert]

So it should be done in a minute and a half?

 

[Michael_]

Thanks for the Infos.

So the rear end (Rear Axle, Differential...) is the same one 383/Base and 440/RT Cars?
What about the driveshaft? (hope thats the right word, basically everthing that connects the transmission with the rear end)
Can i simply go ahead and install a 440 and HD 727 Transmission without any further changes needed Drivetrain wise?

Well looks like the Handling Part is not that big of a deal.
What not has been mentioned is that the RTs also have a sway bar (base cars dont) as far as i know.

I know the Hemi cars had additional Unibody Reinforcements which the 440 Cars did not have.
Is that also true about the 383 vs. 440 cars?

 

[Lionized]

Thanks for the Infos.

So the rear end (Rear Axle, Differential...) is the same one 383/Base and 440/RT Cars?
What about the driveshaft? (hope thats the right word, basically everthing that connects the transmission with the rear end)
Can i simply go ahead and install a 440 and HD 727 Transmission without any further changes needed Drivetrain wise?

Well looks like the Handling Part is not that big of a deal.
What not has been mentioned is that the RTs also have a sway bar (base cars dont) as far as i know.

I know the Hemi cars had additional Unibody Reinforcements which the 440 Cars did not have.
Is that also true about the 383 vs. 440 cars?

Add 1" torsion bars and front sway bar to the 383 car. Cosmetically, badges are the only difference after that.
Hemi cars would have a skid plate on the K Frame as well as torque boxes added to the front and rear frame rails where the rails connect to the uni-body. A big chassis stiffener not requiring a tonne of work is boxing the lower rad support. XV Motorsports did this on their builds and, from what I've read, it makes a huge difference.

 

[Islandkent]

So it should be done in a minute and a half?

Geez chagervert. Give him some credit. Make it a slow 3 minutes. lol

 

[Kern Dog]

I'm not sure for 1968-69 but all 1970 Chargers had a front sway bar.

 

[YY1]

2 barrel cars also came with single exhaust, but that's a fairly easy addition and probably should be done anyway.

Not sure if HP manifolds were different than 2 barrel parts.

 

[66Satellite47]

2 barrel cars also came with single exhaust, but that's a fairly easy addition and probably should be done anyway.

Not sure if HP manifolds were different than 2 barrel parts.

2 BBL exhaust manifolds very different from HP versions

 

[Demonic]

So the rear end (Rear Axle, Differential...) is the same one 383/Base and 440/RT Cars?
What about the driveshaft?

4 speed R/T's got the Dana 60 rear. You can use your existing transmission and driveshaft, they are the same, essentially. The valve body shift points/ governor weights may be slightly different.

 

[coronet68mx]

 

[chargervert]

The driveshaft on Dana 60 rear axle equipped cars are about 1 inch shorter than the driveshaft on 8 3 / 4 axle equipped cars. Dodge B body cars also have a one inch longer wheel base than Plymouth B body cars do.

 

[Duckmanreno]

I will take the bait.

If you find a good deal on a Charger I'd buy it. As others have mentioned not that many differences.

 

[Michael_]

Another question, what about the coils and shocks for example.
No difference Base vs RT Cars?