Thomas 1968 Charger project

[showard]

The dash was one of my hardest things to get set right (electrical). Looks good!

 

[#soarertompa]

The dash was one of my hardest things to get set right (electrical). Looks good!

Thanks! Had to get the dash in place to get a grip on the layout of a number of things.
But it looks like everything is going to find its place.
Now also trying to get my hands on a period correct mopar center console to make the custom gearboxtunnel "disapear" and make it all look more OEM.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I love your build! It is going to be a great ride and you will enjoy the upgrades for sure. I did a similar build on my 68 Charger except used a 6.1 and 5 speed auto trans. One thing bothers me though and not to piss on your parade but I have some reservations about your fuel system and using that GM fuel regulator. I went that route with mine also and had surging issues and a lean condition. Long story short, it didn't provide the 58 psi the Hemi likes. I suspected the throttle body at first because at light throttle it felt like it was opening and closing as if it didn't really know what to do. After replacing that with no change, I finally scrapped the only GM part on my car and ordered up an adjustable regulator with a gauge. I can't guarantee you will have a problem with it but a lot of us have. Just wanted to give you a heads up if you have any of those issues.

 

[#soarertompa]

I love your build! It is going to be a great ride and you will enjoy the upgrades for sure. I did a similar build on my 68 Charger except used a 6.1 and 5 speed auto trans. One thing bothers me though and not to piss on your parade but I have some reservations about your fuel system and using that GM fuel regulator. I went that route with mine also and had surging issues and a lean condition. Long story short, it didn't provide the 58 psi the Hemi likes. I suspected the throttle body at first because at light throttle it felt like it was opening and closing as if it didn't really know what to do. After replacing that with no change, I finally scrapped the only GM part on my car and ordered up an adjustable regulator with a gauge. I can't guarantee you will have a problem with it but a lot of us have. Just wanted to give you a heads up if you have any of those issues.

Yes, and thanks for the heads up on the FPR/Filter unit.
I read some threads where there were issues with this arrangement, but I´ve also read a lot were they work perfectly well, so i`m willing to give it a shot.
If something feels off I know were to start looking.
I have always used adjustable FPR:s in the past when I have built boosted setups and they always do the job right.
I have a spare AEM oxygen sensor laying around so maybe I will install it just to make sure
I´m not running to lean.

 

[#soarertompa]

So right now the project has come to an halt
I ordered a complete Hemi Crate kit from Mopar Performance (via Mancini Racing) to make the gen 3 hemi swap as simple as possible.
As it turns out there is a very important part missing in my package.
Its something Mopar calls a "body harness" witch links the PCM together with my old chassi.
It also controls my e-throttle, fuelpump relay and alot more.
This "body harness" has now been on backorder for over 6-months and I´m getting frustrated of waiting to say the least.
So reached out to a couple of "swap experts" to help me find the pieces I need to fabricate my own harness. Been several weeks since a contacted these "experts" but I cant even get them to reply on my emails.
So, to hell with themI cant force them to help me out.
I will do what I usually do, solve my own problems.
I have a complete "engine harness" that came with my engine and I will pick that apart and fabricate my own "body harness"from scratch.
Wish me luck

 

[coronet68mx]

So right now the project has come to an halt
I ordered a complete Hemi Crate kit from Mopar Performance (via Mancini Racing) to make the gen 3 hemi swap as simple as possible.
As it turns out there is a very important part missing in my package.
Its something Mopar calls a "body harness" witch links the PCM together with my old chassi.
It also controls my e-throttle, fuelpump relay and alot more.
This "body harness" has now been on backorder for over 6-months and I´m getting frustrated of waiting to say the least.
So reached out to a couple of "swap experts" to help me find the pieces I need to fabricate my own harness. Been several weeks since a contacted these "experts" but I cant even get them to reply on my emails.
So, to hell with themI cant force them to help me out.
I will do what I usually do, solve my own problems.
I have a complete "engine harness" that came with my engine and I will pick that apart and fabricate my own "body harness"from scratch.
Wish me luck

View attachment 851491 View attachment 851492 View attachment 851493

There's a few treads about this issue in the new hemi section, and other forums.
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?588-Alternatives-electronics-to-control-a-5-7/page3
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?1530-New-Gen-Hemi-stand-alone-harness
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/hemi-swap-wiring-harness.178031/
The best for me is this:
http://diyhemi.com/lxpinout.html
Good luck.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Seems like there is always problems of some sort. I had hoped the players would have gotten all their ducks in a row by now but guess not. I bought a kit from Bouchillon Performance when I did mine back in 2014. They convinced me to buy their kit instead of trial and error and claimed to have done a bunch of resto mods already. For the most part, I got what I expected but when I had problems with PCM not playing nice and sending 16.4 volts to the system, they already had my money so they abandoned me with a bunch of drivel about it being my wiring or a bad alternator, bad grounds and everything but the fact that they didn't reprogram the computer correctly. I got a lot of help from Chris at Hotwireauto. I knew the Mopar Performance guys were planning on a plug and play kit. They looked at my car a few years ago and asked a lot of questions. Maybe they will get it worked out soon. Too bad about the 6 month back order on the harness. If I can help with anything, don't hesitate.

 

[#soarertompa]

Seems like there is always problems of some sort. I had hoped the players would have gotten all their ducks in a row by now but guess not. I bought a kit from Bouchillon Performance when I did mine back in 2014. They convinced me to buy their kit instead of trial and error and claimed to have done a bunch of resto mods already. For the most part, I got what I expected but when I had problems with PCM not playing nice and sending 16.4 volts to the system, they already had my money so they abandoned me with a bunch of drivel about it being my wiring or a bad alternator, bad grounds and everything but the fact that they didn't reprogram the computer correctly. I got a lot of help from Chris at Hotwireauto. I knew the Mopar Performance guys were planning on a plug and play kit. They looked at my car a few years ago and asked a lot of questions. Maybe they will get it worked out soon. Too bad about the 6 month back order on the harness. If I can help with anything, don't hesitate.

Thanks!
I started out with the same mindset as you, wanted to make this swap as easy as possible because there will always be a number of other things to sort out on a project like this.
Thats why I went for the Mopar Crate kit with everything included except for the engine it self.
I got in contact with Blake @ DIY Hemi to help me source the specific connectors I need to build my own "body harness". The rest of the crate kit including the new engine harness is already in place. Had plans to do my first initial startup right abut now, but cant do nothing without this damn bodyharness

 

[#soarertompa]

There's a few treads about this issue in the new hemi section, and other forums.
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?588-Alternatives-electronics-to-control-a-5-7/page3
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?1530-New-Gen-Hemi-stand-alone-harness
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/hemi-swap-wiring-harness.178031/
The best for me is this:
http://diyhemi.com/lxpinout.html
Good luck.

Thank you!
There is a pretty good instruction manual included in the Crate kit from Mopar and also include pinout diagrams for this specific application and Crate kit PCM.
Reached out to DIY Hemi to help me source the right connectors to complete my own "body harness".
Nothing has landed on my doorstep yet thou.

 

[showard]

Good luck!
Your doing a great job. All of your problems are way past my knowledge but I am looking forward to seeing how everything works out.

 

[#soarertompa]

Good luck!
Your doing a great job. All of your problems are way past my knowledge but I am looking forward to seeing how everything works out.

Thanks "Showard"
Then that makes two of us.
Cant wait to get it started up and hear it roar!
I went with a gen 3 hemi swap mostly because of how I plan to use it.
A modern hemi with a manual Tremec 6-speed behind it will hopefully make this car a very nice partner on longer roadtrips. Calculated it will be 1500rpm@60mph and 0-60@5 sec
So better in reliability and fuel consumption without having to sacrifice any performance.
I also prefer the old school rumble of a high comp RB engine with a healthy cam and combine that with a 833 of 727, but only for shorter trips around town or to local car shows.
Maybe my age has something to do with this and Im getting lazy and comfortable?
If I can finish the build in time the plan is to take a tour around Sweden (were I live) next summer, and if everything works out ok i will take the wife for a trip through Europe the following year.

 

[#soarertompa]

While im waiting for my electronics to show up I started on my exhaust.
Going to be a dual 3" from start to finish, including an X-pipe and two Flowmaster Super 44:s
O2 sensors will have to be relocated from exhaust manifold to the downpipes.
All the welds will be sanded and the entire system will be painted in a cast grey finish.

 

[#soarertompa]

So finally finished my new exhast this week. Only need to fabricate 4 hangers, 2 behind the mufflers and 2 more at the tips. The OE R/T rectangular exhaust tip are a bit expensive so I Went with round Stainless tips cut to match the angle on rear gravelpan. Looks a bit like a standard Charger exhaust only in 3 inch and Stainless instead.

 

[khryslerkid]

Whoa, had to go back and see what engine you were useing when I saw the starter location. Lol

For some dumb reason I didn't realize they were on that side.

Really nice work! Great looking!

 

[#soarertompa]

Whoa, had to go back and see what engine you were useing when I saw the starter location. Lol

For some dumb reason I didn't realize they were on that side.

Really nice work! Great looking!

Thanks "khryslerkid"
All of the gen 3 hemis with an auto trans has the starter on the driver side, but with the manual Tremec I`m using the starter ends up on the passenger side.
That also means that there are no aftermarket headers when using the stock k-member and suspension.
But as long as a have the stock cam in place I feel no need for any type of upgrade on the exhaust manifolds.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Thanks "khryslerkid"
All of the gen 3 hemis with an auto trans has the starter on the driver side, but with the manual Tremec I`m using the starter ends up on the passenger side.
That also means that there are no aftermarket headers when using the stock k-member and suspension.
But as long as a have the stock cam in place I feel no need for any type of upgrade on the exhaust manifolds.

Gen 3 trucks with Automatics were the only ones with the starter on the driver side. All of the Gen 3 cars used the NAG1 transmission (Mercedes) which had the starter on the passenger side.

 

[#soarertompa]

Gen 3 trucks with Automatics were the only ones with the starter on the driver side. All of the Gen 3 cars used the NAG1 transmission (Mercedes) which had the starter on the passenger side.

Ok, thanks for setting the record straight on that issue.
Is this also the case on the new 8-speed auto? (8hp 70)

 

[#soarertompa]

Ok, here is a new update. The missing part of my Mopar crate kit harness finally showed up and I got everything installed.
Here is a short video of the startup.

Engine is missing a bit because of injector issues as a result of the engine being sitting "dry" for more than 2 years and maybe some debris in the fuelsystem.
Will have this sorted out shortly.
Feels soooo god to finally hear the sound and I actually think it sounds better than I expected from a stock 5,7.
Also having the cooling system completed this coming weekend so I can run the engine at the correct working temperature.

 

[showard]

Great to see and hear your car running!
I would love to hear and see it in person if you didn't live so far away.

 

[#soarertompa]

Great to see and hear your car running!
I would love to hear and see it in person if you didn't live so far away.

Dito