Soooo...

[Pfreaky]

My buddy just got a 1987 Dodge Shelby Charger and I am helping him do a little research.

The exterior of the car is a little beat up... no dents, some rust, some paint chipping, and paint fade... but the interior is FLAWLESS, seriously, we just cleaned it up yesterday, and aside from the headliner(which will be replaced) it is magical.

So...as far as these cars are concerned what are their:

Problems?

Benefits?

Upgrades?

Thanks in advance

Edit: sorry if this is in the wrong section

[scrampage1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfreaky My buddy just got a 1987 Dodge Shelby Charger and I am helping him do a little research. The exterior of the car is a little beat up... no dents, some rust, some paint chipping, and paint fade... but the interior is FLAWLESS, seriously, we just cleaned it up yesterday, and aside from the headliner(which will be replaced) it is magical. So...as far as these cars are concerned what are their: Problems? Benefits? Upgrades? Thanks in advance Edit: sorry if this is in the wrong section

1987 was the last year of the Dodge Shelby Charger.

For me, the only problem area would be the weak A-525 manual transaxle that come as standard equipment.

If the maintenance of the car is unknown, maybe changing the timing belt would be a good idea. Look at the rubber fuel lines up there by the firewall, just above the power steering pump. If they're cracked, be sure to replace them with the expensive Fuel Injection hose, not regular fuel line.

You can do all kinds of things as far as performance upgrades. Bigger turbochargers, mandrel bent exhaust systems, and intercooling come to mind.

Have fun upgrading it!!

Ray
Central California

[rare_ram]

Also check the fuel lines by the tank. Major problem on almost all L-bodys is rusty floors.

[Pfreaky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrampage1 1987 was the last year of the Dodge Shelby Charger. For me, the only problem area would be the weak A-525 manual transaxle that come as standard equipment. If the maintenance of the car is unknown, maybe changing the timing belt would be a good idea. Look at the rubber fuel lines up there by the firewall, just above the power steering pump. If they're cracked, be sure to replace them with the expensive Fuel Injection hose, not regular fuel line. You can do all kinds of things as far as performance upgrades. Bigger turbochargers, mandrel bent exhaust systems, and intercooling come to mind. Have fun upgrading it!! Ray Central California

If that is the case... then i guess the next question is: What is the maximum psi the stock block can handle before destroying itself?

A slight upgrade in psi might be in the near future... if that is what he wants

[EvilcowRoland]

Well, it depends on a lot of factors. If the engine is in good running condition and all the maintenance is up to date, there have been cases of people running 30 PSI on stock internals with other supporting mods (with 1989+ blocks which are stronger). I don't think I'd try it with your engine though unless you rebuilt it first and knew everything could handle that kind of boosting. The norm is anywhere from 12 to low 20's in boost. Stock the car should be making 7. If you're sure the engine can handle it, you can crank it up to 10-12 without an intercooler. With intercooler, you hit the computer cut-out at 2 bars or pressure (14.7 PSI). After that you'll need a new calibration and 3 bar MAP. Of course, getting an intercooler on there could be tricky because the Charger has the older intake design. Go here and read through the turbo database -> Donovan's Dodge Garage
It will explain a lot of the basics. Make sure you read the section on converting a T1 to T2 status if you want intercool it eventually.

[moparfreak3]

^+1 You must have been writing at the same time that I was I wrote almost the same thing.

[Pfreaky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilcowRoland Well, it depends on a lot of factors. If the engine is in good running condition and all the maintenance is up to date, there have been cases of people running 30 PSI on stock internals with other supporting mods (with 1989+ blocks which are stronger). I don't think I'd try it with your engine though unless you rebuilt it first and knew everything could handle that kind of boosting. The norm is anywhere from 12 to low 20's in boost. Stock the car should be making 7. If you're sure the engine can handle it, you can crank it up to 10-12 without an intercooler. With intercooler, you hit the computer cut-out at 2 bars or pressure (14.7 PSI). After that you'll need a new calibration and 3 bar MAP. Of course, getting an intercooler on there could be tricky because the Charger has the older intake design. Go here and read through the turbo database -> It will explain a lot of the basics. Make sure you read the section on converting a T1 to T2 status if you want intercool it eventually.

12 psi would be fantastic... but how to get there? just a bigger turbo... or can you screw with the stock one. I am also new to the turbo scene

Edit: and it is about 50hp per 1psi amirite?