Posted 2016-07-30 7:45 AM (#517969) Subject: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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Posts: 42
Location: Clifton Springs, NY
I'm looking for a shop with experience in transplantimg new Gen Hemi's in forward look cars. All the shops I've called only work on early 60's and up cars. I'm looking at either a 6.4 or 6.2 Hellcat engine, OD auto trans, new modern front suspension, and 4 wheel disks.
Thanks in advance!
Posted 2016-07-30 11:49 AM (#517978 - in reply to #517969) Subject: RE: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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Location: So. Cal
What kind of new modern front suspension are you looking at doing and why? Something like a McPherson strut??? The torsion bar suspension is arguably better than any suspension designed up 'till at least the late '80's - '90's. The original suspension will handle a lot better than a crappy mustang II. Unless you are just looking to free up space for exhaust and sacrifice the handling in the process. I drive my big DeSoto around and surprise many people at how well it handles. Add positive caster to the alignment, big sway bars and shorter side-wall tires, and it will out-perform your expectations.
The only difference in putting a Gen III hemi into these cars vs. cars from the '60's is that you can't purchase the motor mounts and exhaust from anyone. You will have to fab it up. So just look for a custom fab shop to get it done.
Posted 2016-07-30 2:20 PM (#517988 - in reply to #517969) Subject: Re: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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Location: Kansas City, KS
I will agree the torsion bar is more than adequate for most applications. My main issues with the OEM Forwardlook suspension is the limited availability of replacement parts and the limited number of vendors supplying them. My other complaint with torsion bars in general is how difficult it is to add air ride (I like lowered cars).
Another difference putting a Gen III Hemi in a Forwardlook car Vs a 60's Chrysler product is the location of the steering gearbox. The Forwardlook will have the gearbox near the firewall. The steering on a 60's Mopar is further forward towards the middle/front end of the engine. This may or may not affect routing exhaust.
While on the topic of late model engine swaps, here's some useful threads:
Posted 2016-07-30 4:03 PM (#517996 - in reply to #517969) Subject: Re: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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forget about the Hellcat engine. its much easier to build a 6.4 srt8 engine and put that in. The hellcat has a lot of electronics you won't want to fight with.
the problem I see is the "modern" suspension...
I am completely upgrading a 70 GTO now and restoring to stock a 57 Dodge but I have a 58 Plymouth I will be 6.4 srt8ing...
Posted 2016-07-30 5:09 PM (#518001 - in reply to #517996) Subject: Re: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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mikes2nd - 2016-07-30 1:03 PM
forget about the Hellcat engine. its much easier to build a 6.4 srt8 engine and put that in. The hellcat has a lot of electronics you won't want to fight with.
Posted 2016-07-30 11:32 PM (#518031 - in reply to #518001) Subject: Re: Help needed with New Gen Hemi in my 57 Plymouth
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57chizler - 2016-07-30 5:09 PM
mikes2nd - 2016-07-30 1:03 PM forget about the Hellcat engine. its much easier to build a 6.4 srt8 engine and put that in. The hellcat has a lot of electronics you won't want to fight with.