[WarlockSyno]

Sounds amazing!

 

[EvilcowRoland]

That's fantastic! They did some beautiful work on that exhaust. Sounds the business too.

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 21 May 2017

Mocked up the center console. Did have to modify it some due to the height mismatch with the taller driveshaft tunnel, but overall very pleased. Now I'll make a shifter to relocate the shifter to the console location vs. the transmission, which is now under the ashtray. In the future I'll run either a Camaro or GTO T56 since one of those two transmissions will move the shifter back where it's needed. I already have a Camaro transmission for the next build and will figure that out at a later date.

Had an interesting run in with Safelite glass. The tech wouldn't install a new windshield since there is surface rust on the roof!! Unbelievable, but it happened. Oh well, I'll find someone else.

Tom

 

[gkcooper]

Does the Camaro T56 require an adapter for the HEMI?

 

[allardtom]

gkcooper,

There are internal and tail cone differences between the Camaro and viper trans, but the bellhousing bolts on the same.

The only reason I haven't taken the Viper trans out of this car is because I would have to change the driveshaft, clutch disk, and pilot bushing. The Viper trans has a larger and higher spline count out put shaft, a larger input shaft, and requires a larger ID on the pilot bushing.

Of note: I use a quicktime bellhousing so whether it's a Dodge or GM transmission I don't use the factory bellhousing.

If money was no object then I'd just buy one of the Magnum T56s from American Powertrain and have them put the shifter where I needed it, but since I can get good used transmissions for a lot less I'm ok with figuring out shifter stuff.

Hope this helps answer your question

Tom

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 23 MAY 2017

Welded in factory center console mount. Next I'll work the shifter relocation, I have a neat idea and think it will look and work really well.

Tom

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 27 MAY 2017

Mocked up shifter relocation linkage. Just waiting on the jam nuts to arrive in the mail to finalize the installation. Looks like it will work out well.

Tom

 

[INSATANSSEAT]

That's awesome! So you'll be able to keep a factory console?

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 29 MAY 2017

Insatanseat, absolutely!

Finished shifter relocation. I may replace the dual clevis with a solid machined piece now that I have all the dimensions figured out, but as it sits the shifter works great. All six gears plus reverse uses the full width of the factory opening in the console, so the adjustment margin in minimal, but it works!

Took the car for a ride with just the seat and console and it worked great.

Another bonus of all this is now I'll have the emergency brake that functions again!

Going to pressure wash the carpets then re-install.

Tom

 

[INSATANSSEAT]

It's going to look amazing once the carpet is in!!

That must be a hell of a ride!

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 29 MAY 2017

Interior is back in! All in all pretty happy with the finished product. I had to trim the side carpet a little and there are some gaps since the console is now higher than originally, but certainly looks original enough.

I added some additional sound deadening and really noticed the difference when I drove the car today. Every little bit I do makes the car more complete.

Next:
- rebuild the rear axle. (bought it used and from day 1 it's had way to much backlash)
- get top of car painted to protect the metal that has been exposed and have a new windshield installed (eventually I plan to completely disassemble the car and get a nice paint job, but for now I just want to protect what I've got)

Then...
DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE...

Tom

 

[MarkassBauer]

Late to the party, holy crap this is AWESOME!!!

 

[allardtom]

MarkassBauer, thanks! It's been a journey for sure...

UPDATE: 9 JUN 2017

The car is at East Coast Gear Supply - EGCS and I have them looking at making another rear axle since the Dana 44HD doesn't have a lot of aftermarket support and running the Spartan locker on the street is not optimal to say the least.

The big news is I have Chase and his team at ECGS looking at the car to see what it would cost to have them make kits!!

East Coast Gear Supply

With any luck they'll be interested in making kits. As soon as they let me know I plan to bring the 1987 Daytona (next v8 RWD build) so I can start on conversion #3!! This one should go a lot faster... I hope...

Best wishes
Tom

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 18 June 2017

I sent the message below to ECGS and CC'd all the folks that have contacted me through my website. If you're interested in converting your car please contact me at allardtom@hotmail.com. It will still take a few months to get all the jigs made because I'm paying out of pocket and can only afford so much at once, but I'm hoping by providing a list of genuinely interested buyers that the team at EGCS can better gage the volume.

At this time I'm having a Dana 44 made for the car in this blog, once that is done I'll bring the 87 (build #3) to ECGS for them to make the rear cross member and frame connectors as well as a jig. After that is complete I'll remove the front cross member and trans cross member from this car to have jigs made for the front. This will take a few months, but we are further along than we have ever been to making this a bolt in kit.

BTW for build #3 I plan to do a 6.4 Hemi with auto transmission. Pictures of the shell attached. From humble beginnings great things can emerge!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

East Coast Gear Supply team,

Below is a list of individuals that have contacted me over the last couple years that were interested in converting their Daytona's to rear wheel drive. Since it has taken me awhile to get this far some of them may have moved on by now. I*CC'd them to determine if they are still interested.

I'll ping the Turbododge.com blog as well to see how much interest still exists.

 

[allardtom]

UPDATE: 19 June 2017

Well it's official... reply from Chase below. I'll have to proceed in sections, we'll start with the rear first, just because I don't have that kind of money laying around, but I'm really excited ECGS is willing to take this on. I'll see if I can get the ECGS guys to post pictures to this blog as we proceed.

As soon as the rear axle is done in this car I'll bring the 1987 car to them to start on the back.

-----------------------------------------------

As for the crossmembers. We are at about 24K to reproduce all three crossmembers with fixtures for each. Which would include one set of crossmembers. After the Fixtures are made.
*
Front Engine Crossmember – $1,800
Tranny Crossmember- $400
Rear Crossmemeber would include frame stiffners - $1,100
*
Thanks, Chase
*
Chase Perry
East Coast Gear Supply
6508 Mt. Herman Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27617
919-672-2705
Chase@eastcoastgearsupply.com

 

[gkcooper]

I would be extremely interested in obtaining drawings for this. I have access to CNC, plasma, waterjet, welding, etc. I cannot afford to purchase a high-end conversion kit. I would be willing to contribute payment for drawings though if they are reasonably priced.

 

[Spirited1]

I would be extremely interested in obtaining drawings for this. I have access to CNC, plasma, waterjet, welding, etc. I cannot afford to purchase a high-end conversion kit. I would be willing to contribute payment for drawings though if they are reasonably priced.

I second that. $3300 is fair considering Exline was charging a little more I think, but it is still too much for me. I would only use the drawings for myself and not to compete with you.

 

[LaserDad]

$3,300 sounds fair. I would be in for the kits.

 

[LaserDad]

One thing to note, I plan to convert an '86 Laser, not a Daytona. As far as I know, it shouldn't make a difference, but in case it does, it would be good to know before I start.

 

[INSATANSSEAT]

I wonder how hard it would be to jam a 360 and 727 in there with those parts. My 5.7 is gone now. Had to sell the 300C last year when my knee went out and couldn't work for a bit.:|