HEMIWagon Project Log: To-Do List!

"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst) 08/27/2015 at 11:18 • Filed to: HEMIWagon, Project Log

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The HEMIWagon has had quite the wild year this year. From getting dropped onto KW V2 coilovers to getting a brandy new (to me) set of front seats out of a 2010 Challenger RT.

Pictures to eventually be uploaded.

There’s a few things that now need to be done, and while the numbers are adding up quickly, it’s all necessary work. I’ll be pulling the trigger on a number of parts soon:

Wavetrac rear differential

New wheel bearings (all four corners)

New passenger side rear knuckle

Differential bushings

Brake pedal assembly*

Police wheel center caps + lug nuts

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From the dealer, I need:

Software update for the issues I’m having with the EGR valve

New recall airbag

Clock Spring + Steering Angle Sensor (might try to get a used one that’s functional instead of new)

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These things will all be happening rather quickly, and I may be a little slow on keeping the project log going. As much as I really want to get the exhaust done, it’s getting pushed back farther and farther. Once I finish the rear and wheel bearings along with the knuckle and bushings, the car will be “completed” as far as general maintenance and all the bumps and rattles that need immediate attention.

The *Brake pedal assembly is going to be out of a Dodge Challenger RT 6spd. That’s because I’m still hellbent on stuffing a TR6060 into my Magnum along with a different/bigger HEMI. I want to get the pedal assembly installed and just remove the clutch pedal from the setup so that in the future I’m just putting it back in and wiring the NSS.

I luckily found a salvage yard with 1) great prices and 2) awesome people that can help provide me with some of the more obscure/expensive factory parts I’m looking for without the factory prices. I’m slowly establishing contact with them to keep an eye out for some of the parts if they have any lying around or manage to stumble upon a car that may have some of what I’m looking for.

The Wavetrac will likely be ordered in a couple weeks, the knuckle I’ll be ordering in a few days. The bushings I already have, so since the entire rear is being dropped, we’re also going to rotate some of the bolts that have caused my big headache so far. One last final alignment should get the entire car straight as an arrow, and kill all the rolling noises not coming from the tires. Last night I took a couple corners without the old habit of tapping the brakes first, and the HEMIWagon stays incredibly well planted and sticks super well with the current setup. I do not regret a single penny, because this thing is awesome.

I’ll be hunting for a Mopar 10 steering wheel if I can nab one from a wrecked car, along with a complete clutch hydraulic setup, so I can think about where that’s going to get mounted. If I ever find a good deal on a 6.4L (assuming I find my answers about it soon), I’ll pick up the block alone, and start sourcing a forged bottom end, along with some good new heads to start putting the bigger HEMI together. Goal right now is a 426 unless a Hellcat comes my way (though in all honesty, I’m still on the fence about doing a forced induction setup in this). TR6060 will be sourced towards when I’m ready for the full swap, and I’ll have the drivetrain nearly prepped by the time the car is ready for the swap. Looking to avoid doing a dash/harness swap, so it’ll be a long slow painful process, I expect it to take minimum of two more years before the completed swap is squared away.

For your patience, a quick 3rd gear pull at about 1/4 throttle with the current “gently massaged, but mostly stock” 5.7L

crowmolly > JGrabowMSt 08/27/2015 at 11:25

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Got room in the tunnel for that 6060? I’m sure you can plasma a hole but sometimes it can make things tough with seats, consoles, etc.

ChooChooMotherFudger > JGrabowMSt 08/27/2015 at 11:26

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Are you sure the TR6060 will be able to fit?

I researched a few years ago trying to findone who had put one in a Charger and couldn’t find one. I had dreamed of doing that in Charger before I got my Challenger. Then I read recently that they don’t fit in the chassis.

Best of luck, I would love a manual Magnum.

JGrabowMSt > crowmolly 08/27/2015 at 11:46

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I have a friend with a manual Challenger I can sit in and measure a little bit, but here’s the skinny so far on it..

The gas pedal is an identical part across the LX cars because it’s drive by wire. If the pedal is the same, it can’t be complicated. The width of the tunnel may need to come out a little bit, and the height as well, but overall, nothing a grinder and some welding can’t fix. The tunnel width overall may need a slight stretch, but the seats I have are out of a manual Challenger and bolted directly in. If they bolt directly in, the car can’t have wildly different dimensions, so I’m going to keep my gamble on a grinder and some welding. The hardest part will be modifying the center console to accommodate the shifter and drilling the hole for it. I’ll be putting in solid shifter bushings when I do the swap because I absolutely love the feel of having them (my old Neon did, and it completely changed the car).

The trans tunnel area has a bit of a funny shape that may need widening, but overall, it shouldn’t be a case of reinventing the wheel, just making it a little wider. The alternative is a built T56, but I need to talk to the shop about which T56 to get (there’s two different T56 models, the difference is how far forward the shifter is located).

So in short, no, it’s not just going to bolt right up, but the physical size difference (I need to try and find schematics for both transmissions) should not be so wildly different that it’s impossible. Considering there are also a couple of SRT10 swapped vehicles (a couple Magnums, a 300C), it means the parts fit with a little persuasion, and the mechanic I know is very persuasive.

JGrabowMSt > ChooChooMotherFudger 08/27/2015 at 11:47

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See this:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-have-a-frien…

ChooChooMotherFudger > JGrabowMSt 08/27/2015 at 11:50

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Ok, if you are going that route then there isn’t much a grinder can’t fix. Good luck I am looking forward to updates.

crowmolly > JGrabowMSt 08/27/2015 at 11:58

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If the floor pans are essentially the same then it may not be that big a deal. Also, if the auto trans is a big mofo it may not be an issue at all. Kind of just spitballing. Can you use a Challenger trans crossmember?

The T56 Magnum is what you should look in to (name is a coincidence). It is the same as the 6060 (or is 95% the same IIRC) and you can get different shifter locations. You could also use a Sidewinder-style shifter that can put the handle where you need it to be.

Rockland Standard Gear is across the border in Rockland County NY, hit ‘em up when you get that far.

JGrabowMSt > crowmolly 08/27/2015 at 12:37

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I was reading about the T56 Magnum, and may go for it, my only initial reasoning behind the TR6060 is because it’s a factory part for the Challengers (but all things considered, once this is completed, factory parts wont be my biggest concern).

It’ll be a big battle, and I’ll have to consult with two shops about what exact combination and build to get, but as of right now, the difference is the bellhousing. Everything else should physically fit in the space without much work, but getting the bellhousing attached on both sides and clearing the fire wall is the issue. But again, it wont be for a while. When the time comes, we may just attach the bellhousing and drop the motor in to see what does/doesn’t clear and what needs to be adjusted. From inside and out, my goal is to not draw attention to it, make it appear like it could have come from a factory.

crowmolly > JGrabowMSt 08/27/2015 at 14:05

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The 6060 is just the OEM name for the Mag if I remember correctly. For the bellhousing I’d bet that Quicktime offers something too.