DTM Racing Project: "Sally" the 1968 Dodge Dart

[DTM Racing]

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/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2011-12-13_08-43-40_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/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2011-12-13_08-46-01_468.jpg

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2011-12-13_10-48-44_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/v244/Bajadak/Sally/PD280065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/PD280072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/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/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-02-05_16-59-29_33.jpg

Feel free to "Like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DTM-Racing/305030966187707

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

[coolwelder62]

Nice Project.:thumbsup:

[rjsjea]

Dig the Abody!

[wellis77]

Good looking Dart!

[67autocross]

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

[DTM Racing]

Last Weigh in for the car was:

DF 920 | 840 PF
_____________
DR 650 | 690 PR

Total: 3100 on the dot.

[67autocross]

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.

[wedged]

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.

[DTM Racing]

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.

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.

[Bryce]

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

[Bucketlist2012]

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:

[wedged]

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.

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.

[DTM Racing]

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/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-08_12-41-59_615.jpg

The interior as we got it, felt carpet and all..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-18_20-40-19_726.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-18_20-40-29_310.jpg

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-18_23-03-18_348.jpg

Engine getting ready for shiney stuff...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-19_16-05-50_376.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-19_21-15-10_912.jpg

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-19_21-15-49_569.jpg

Coming along nicely...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-19_23-04-48_951.jpg

And our new front drum piston...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/2012-02-22_11-32-34_112.jpg

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

[Rick Dorion]

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.

[DTM Racing]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/PD280069.jpg

[Rick Dorion]

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

[DTM Racing]

Its been a busy week getting everything ready for RTTC3 and the Mopar open house at Hotchkis. Here is a bit of a recap:

The cluster came back from Redline Gaugeworks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_19-49-11_715.jpg

And this gets taken care of...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_18-22-12_571.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_18-22-26_991.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_18-30-07_700.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_19-10-29_372.jpg

More work on the coolers and fans, as well as some touch up on the radiator.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_14-19-09_982.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_14-18-52_297.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-02-29_13-24-24_243.jpg

More wiring work under way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-02-27_13-50-28_144.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-02-27_13-50-02_997.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_14-13-57_516.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_14-14-08_279.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_14-13-42_812.jpg

Some flair.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-05_13-44-48_533.jpg

[DTM Racing]

And we are off to the races. I took the car out for the first session on the road course to make sure the car was safe, and after that it was 100% in the owner's hands.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/432185_3115676205353_1067883153_2979551_1740981372 _n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/418543_10150635283830073_188171375072_9527666_2084 016566_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/419568_2940222030233_1401641881_32564582_140162190 1_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/424804_10150635229685073_188171375072_9527511_1850 28033_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/420403_2940220750201_1401641881_32564573_211290146 3_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/419436_10150635283305073_188171375072_9527662_1040 82260_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/419733_634986879085_4401495_33072298_951191779_n.j pg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/425668_10150635282700073_188171375072_9527656_3782 27211_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/425746_10150635228590073_188171375072_9527502_1299 329471_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/427116_10150635283020073_188171375072_9527660_1194 518491_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/430603_3115678605413_1067883153_2979556_294538313_ n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/420675_10150635228955073_188171375072_9527507_7301 72237_n.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/428636_634985511825_4401495_33072289_1792086579_n. jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/429236_3115713926296_1067883153_2979585_1573926482 _n.jpg

[DTM Racing]

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


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/431390_634989458915_4401495_33072319_2035400619_n. jpg


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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bajadak/Sally/429685_634989703425_4401495_33072320_1543813972_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/v244/Bajadak/Sally/2012-03-10_18-06-09_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.

[Chad-1stGen]

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?

[DTM Racing]

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.