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DTM Racing Project: "Sally" the 1968 Dodge Dart

I know how much everyone here loves to see projects and how they are coming along. Well I think that this car is far enough along to let the cat out of the bag.
The car is name "Sally the Banana Dart" by the owner, for sentimental reasons and because of the odd yellow of the car. He purchased it last year, with the need of having a Hot Rod of some sort. The first changes we made to the car after purchase were Wilwood front binders, Moser 8.75 rear end with locker) full MSD ignition, and some basic ascetic upgrades to keep him looking cool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-43-40_593.jpg

Unfortunately the Winter Mod Bug bit him HARD. Sally came back before Christmas with a trunk full of parts and a driver full of hopes and dreams.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-46-01_468.jpg

We found some discouraging things along the way.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-48-44_825.jpg

But we got the car fitted with a complete Hotchkis TVS and some loner wheels and tires so the owner could take full advantage of our driver initiation services, never having owned a 450hp Big Block car that weighs 3200lbs. So this last weekend we went out to the autocross for some shake downs to better plan our next modifications and learn some basics.

Since then, we've added some graphics to add some "flair" (no requirement on number of pieces).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/PD280065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/PD280072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...y/PD280070.jpg

So to bring us up to date, we've lowered the rear another 2 inches, and ordered parts to get her all ready for RTTC3.
Before then we will be adding:
-Quick ratio power steering(8:1)
-New interior
-Gauges
-Wheels from New Gen
-Rear Sway Bar (Hotchkis unit didn't fit due to packaging constraints)
-Full Manual TF727 Transmission
-Seats and straps
-Updating and re-wiring the entire under-dash area.
-Replating front and rear bumpers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...6-59-29_33.jpg

Feel free to "Like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DTM-R...05030966187707

And our website is still under construction, but the Homepage and Contact Info is up and running: www.dtmracing.us

Nice Project.:thumbsup:

Nice! I like the Sedans. Did you weigh the car or is the 3200lbs a guess?

Last Weigh in for the car was:

DF 920 | 840 PF
_____________
DR 650 | 690 PR

Total: 3100 on the dot.

Thats low for a big block....I'm doing a 67 Dart with a aluminium LS and Alterkation front and want to be under 3000lbs with air cond.

in case you have not experienced it, urethane lower control arm bushings on a Mopar do not properly retain the lower control arm. The pin will float around inside the bushing allowing the arm to move front to rear. If you don't believe it, just put the car in the air and then pry back and forth on the arm near the bushing. This is a problem that everyone seems to ignore and never mention. The factory original rubber bushing retains the arm much better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedged (Post 394360)

In the cars that I've done, I've never seen it to be an issue. once the arm is locked in place by the retaining nut, struts and torsion bar, any slop is removed. I've taken them off vehicles with 12,000 miles and still as tight as the day they went in. Is it possible that the "looseness" is actually coming from the pin hole in the K-member? I've had to reweld several of those because they come detached inside the k-member.

Looking good Dan, I am in the middle of my 8:1 steering upgrade too. I will call you next week and quiz you. haha

Very Nice..

Although a Chevy guy, I love all cars, and certain Mopars are just Killer...

The Dart is one of them...Sweet car you have, and nice Job..:cheers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTM Racing (Post 394362)

The torsion bar is not and was not designed to retain the control arm. The factory rubber bushing is a press fit to the pin and to the arm. That press fit and the strut rod is what is supposed to retain the arm. Caster will dynamically change under accelleration and braking if that press fit is not retained. If you take the torsion bars out you can better see what I am talking about. Remove 1 bar and then pry on the arm at the pivot pin. it will start sliding off the pin.

Been working pretty steady to get the car ready for RTTC. Lots of parts ordered and sitting around staring at stuff to make better....
Pulled the Cluster to have our friends at Redline Gaugeworks do their magic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-41-59_615.jpg

The interior as we got it, felt carpet and all..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-40-19_726.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-40-29_310.jpg

Test fitting the new carpet. Grey is the new black folks!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-03-18_348.jpg

Engine getting ready for shiney stuff...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-05-50_376.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-15-10_912.jpg

In theme with making every penny count, we'd rather spend money on parts than shoes...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-15-49_569.jpg

Coming along nicely...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-04-48_951.jpg

And our new front drum piston...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-32-34_112.jpg

Tackling wiring now, should have that and the new trans buttoned up tomorrow.

Nice. Do you have a side pic of the car? I just saw a local ad for a 67 dart sedan which has me interested.

Thanks. I have a soft spot for these as I had a 340 '70 Duster.

I took his girl friend out for a spin, we were told to smile...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...35400619_n.jpg

I don't think we did so good...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...43813972_n.jpg

To top off the weekend, the owner was the recipient of the "Renegade Award" for best all around non-sponsored car. Doesn't get much better than that!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-06-09_189.jpg

We still have a lot to do, the car has no rear sway bar, the Edelbrock is being cantankerous, and we still have the powersteering at 8:1 conversion to do.

Had fun watching that car get around the autocross course. What was causing it to smoke super bad on the hard left hander near the the far backside of the autocross course?

Oil blowing out the breather or the tire lightly rubbing in the rear quarter. Or both. First time out with the bigger rear tires, so we will have to get out our fender enlargement tool again.