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.


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.



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



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).







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.



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

[coolwelder62]

Nice Project.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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