Hey all! As the name suggests, I'm a Mopar guy, but recently joined the ranks of AMC with a clean little 1980 2 door. 62k miles, good runner. We picked it up new years day, already took care of the leaking exhaust manifold gasket, put a new valve cover on, full tune up, fluids, KYB shocks. We'll drive it as-is while I decide between fuel injecting and turbocharging or just swapping in a 5.9 magnum and 45RFE trans to run at modern speeds better.
(https://i.imgur.com/knitZrI.jpg)
Hello! That is a gorgeous 80. You sure don't see a ton of 80s out there. Engine swaps are difficult in these cars due to how the front differential is mounted. Fuel injection and a turbo seems like the better route to me. You could do a Jeep 4.0 and an AW4 swap easier than the 5.9
Quote from: 89 MJ on January 20, 2024, 04:26:48 PMEngine swaps are difficult in these cars due to how the front differential is mounted.
I've stuffed a 511 stroker in a Dodge Aspen, transplanted an entire XJ 4x4 drivetrain into a '46 Ford half ton, etc. I ain't skeert!
Lucky for me, I own and operate a substantial machine shop with 2 & 3 axis CNC lathes, a 4 axis VMC, a 5 axis subspindle millturn, gobs of manual machines, mag break, MIG, TIG, stick and gas welders, heat treat oven, etc. And if I can't make the shape with what I've got, a good friend is the owner of Nemesis Industries just up the road with a massive water jet and 200 ton press break. There's not a lot we can't make happen!
Welcome to the forums. Good luck with mods, sounds like a good challenge for you. Can't wait to see the progress.
Quote from: Mopars_n_Marlins on January 20, 2024, 08:16:06 PM
Quote from: 89 MJ on January 20, 2024, 04:26:48 PMEngine swaps are difficult in these cars due to how the front differential is mounted.
I've stuffed a 511 stroker in a Dodge Aspen, transplanted an entire XJ 4x4 drivetrain into a '46 Ford half ton, etc. I ain't skeert!
Lucky for me, I own and operate a substantial machine shop with 2 & 3 axis CNC lathes, a 4 axis VMC, a 5 axis subspindle millturn, gobs of manual machines, mag break, MIG, TIG, stick and gas welders, heat treat oven, etc. And if I can't make the shape with what I've got, a good friend is the owner of Nemesis Industries just up the road with a massive water jet and 200 ton press break. There's not a lot we can't make happen!
Sounds good! I just wanted to make sure you weren't getting in over your head, and it sounds like you're not.
Welcome to the Den and enjoy your new Eagle! Good luck with the the project and enjoy driving it "as-is" for the time being.
Where are you at in Eastern Colorado? I live on the east side of the metro area.
Show more pics of your car - looks great! :)
I'm a Mopar guy myself, although I do not own a Mopar at this moment.
My last project was in 2017 - rebuilt a 76 Power Wagon that was already ~70% completed.
Cheers and welcome to the forum.