SRT8 Roadrunner conversion, NOT a body over!!

[CJD AUTO]

Just trying to make sure I read that correctly.
He charged you 30k+ to replace a quarter panel,take care of panel gaps, paint door jambs and exterior of the car??

Yep. Well not me, the customer. I wanted nothing to do with that part! More than doubled his quote. He would drag it out billing 5K at a time and saying he was almost done. Kept doing that without really doing much work. When he hit the 15K mark and seeing what was done, I tried really hard to have my customer pull it and take it to another shop. I understand his position, he was already in this much money, so a hard decision to make then, easy now, in hind site.
Tom said he had to fire his bodyshop crew and redo the car, which is probably why a lot of the parts disappeared. No big deal for him, he just charged twice the quoted price to make up for the extra work...

 

[Jarven1977]

Where is the "dislike" button when you need it the most?
Hope you manage to sort it out.

 

[CJD AUTO]

So the last few details getting done. I had originally planned to mount the blinker/blindspot cameras in the side mirror glass. Good idea, but the angle was wrong and couldn't get it where it was a useful image. Plan B. Found these little LED blinkers:

I gutted and milled out the inside to fit a camera, and then removed the base and used a hollow bolt slipped in from the inside:

Then test fit on a junk mirror:

Then mounted up and adjusted. The outer bezel is loose in the pics so I can turn and focus camera. Not 100% on this, but feel it blends in pretty well and provides a solid lane and half of view:

 

[CJD AUTO]

Moved the exhaust tips up and angled the pipe to follow the contour of the lower quarter.

 

[whayden2003]

Moved the exhaust tips up and angled the pipe to follow the contour of the lower quarter.

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Just beautiful.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Just beautiful.

He's a magician, artist, and a sculptor all in one!
AWESOMENESS!

 

[CJD AUTO]

Finally able to do some road testing. My first impression is how incredibly tight the car is. Absolutely zero chassis flex. I work on the late model cars daily, and this one rides and handles at least as good, but seems to be better. Bumps, rail road tracks, etc are firm yet subtle, if that makes since. Again, super impressed with the ride and handling.
Air conditioning is probably what will make this car get driven a lot. 90+ outside, with ridiculous humidity, and I have to turn it down to the lowest blower speed and or turn the vents away. This is such a good problem to have.
I did have to change out the rear diff. The 3.91 with the short 26.1” tire was just too much. 3k @ 80 mph! Ridiculous fun, ridiculous acceleration, but with the exhaust, just too much interior resonance. Swapped in a stock SRT 3.06 LSD, and much more civilized and comfortable. It is very difficult not to drive this thing 80-85 with traffic, so a gear better suited for that was necessary.
Couple little minor things to address, then this car is finally ready for the owner to enjoy.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I did have to change out the rear diff. The 3.91 with the short 26.1” tire was just too much. 3k @ 80 mph!

Your work on this is amazing.
Regarding the quoted statement, 3k at 80 with a 3.91 and a 26.1" tire is hard for me to understand because of my experience, seems low...
I put a Passon 5 speed in place of my 833 4 speed, so .70 5th gear and immediately switched out my 3.54 for the 4.10 in my Dana 60. Dropped from 3,500 @ 72 MPH in 4th w/3.54 to 2,750 @ 72 MPH in 5th w/4.10. Although 750 RPMs may not sound like a big improvement, it's night and day. I was "uneasy" spinning the 440+6bbl at 3,500 for a couple of hours on an interstate ride, but at 2,750 I'm totally at ease. That's with 315/35/17s that are 25.8" diameter. IF I decide my wife and I are going to go "road tripping" one or two years, I may put the 3.54s in, but more likely just go to a taller tire.
The 4.10 is just so MUCH fun!

 

[CJD AUTO]

I put a Passon 5 speed in place of my 833 4 speed, so .70 5th...

Thanks.
The late model Nag trans overdrive is only a .83.
I rounded that previous number. Was actually closer to 3250 rpm. Im now 2600rpm @ 80 mph.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Thanks.
The late model Nag trans overdrive is only a .83.
I rounded that previous number. Was actually closer to 3250 rpm. Im now 2600rpm @ 80 mph.

Gotcha. I'm not that good with math or "new school" parts. If it's not a 904, 727, or 833, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[Darius]

This car is so outstanding. Having owned 2 of the current gen Chargers and swapped one into my 70 GTX I can understand the excellence of the performance of this ride and appreciate the beauty of the body style. An absolute example of the best of two worlds in one. I am SOOOOOO friggin jealous , but I have a few more dollars in my account too , I am happy with my poor man's version though;-)

 

[747mopar]

Car looks absolutely gorgeous!!

 

[CJD AUTO]

I believe this car is for sale now. The owner has driven it about two miles around his block, that's it! Said his interest has changed from cars. If anyone is interested, I'll put you in touch with the owner. Only serious inquires please, and realize he's not giving it away!

I drove this down to Daytona for the Rod Run and couldn't be happier with the ride, handling, power, and the all mighty A/C!

 

[jmk77379]

Craig, Just read this whole thread, great job. Amazing how quickly it appeared you got the conversion done, then years of waiting for others. Did you get the windows sorted out, if so how?

 

[747mopar]

I believe this car is for sale now. The owner has driven it about two miles around his block, that's it! Said his interest has changed from cars. If anyone is interested, I'll put you in touch with the owner. Only serious inquires please, and realize he's not giving it away!

I drove this down to Daytona for the Rod Run and couldn't be happier with the ride, handling, power, and the all mighty A/C!

That's crazy, a case of someone with to much money and not knowing what they want I guess. At any rate it was an awesome build, hopefully someone worthy gets it.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jarven1977]

Maybe the owner feels scammed about the previous body shops poor work and cost increase. I'd probably sell too. You'd be reminded every time you get to drive the car despite how awesome it is.
Anyhow, great work and detail to this car! Next owner will have a blast..

 

[Moparmonster]

This is amazing

 

[Kern Dog]

I believe this car is for sale now. The owner has driven it about two miles around his block, that's it! Said his interest has changed from cars. If anyone is interested, I'll put you in touch with the owner. Only serious inquires please, and realize he's not giving it away!

I drove this down to Daytona for the Rod Run and couldn't be happier with the ride, handling, power, and the all mighty A/C!

How much is he asking for it?

 

[Purepony]

This is better than most of the cars at sema

quick questions do you remember the size of these wheels and tires ?