Build A Hellcat Eater

[motorheadmike]

I highly doubt it can be done PROPERLY without spending 25K, up here probably 30K+ and that is the vast majority done by the owner. I am talking similar handling, braking and power. You guys are talking a lot of luck on buying used parts. A 4L80E core go for $500+, good converter for them is easily that and the 5.3 is similar here. It still leaves a meh ratio 4 spd OD or old school TH400 and tall gearing.

My wagon was headed to mid-11s before the nitrous went wonky. She's a big girl, with as many amenities as possible, it is for all intents and purposes a modern interpretation of a 40 year old car. $40-50K to reproduce/replace.

My Hellcat was $59.6K (before fees and such) and trumps the wagon (in all categories) because it is a fully engineered solution. That simplicity had a value to me.

Plus, there's the Monte which will be none of those things... which is even cooler - because it makes all those compromises the Hellcat can't. My point is execute your visions, don't sweat a media driven measuring stick.

 

[pontiacgp]

My point is execute your visions, don't sweat a media driven measuring stick.

 

[olds307 and 403]

My wagon was headed to mid-11s before the nitrous went wonky. She's a big girl, with as many amenities as possible, it is for all intents and purposes a modern interpretation of a 40 year old car. $40-50K to reproduce/replace.

My Hellcat was $59.6K (before fees and such) and trumps the wagon (in all categories) because it is a fully engineered solution. That simplicity had a value to me.

Plus, there's the Monte which will be none of those things... whsamesich is even cooler - because it makes all those compromises the Hellcat can't. My point is execute your visions, don't sweat a media driven measuring stick.

Absolutely, much like depreciation on the Hellcat when it comes off the lot, same goes for realizing you can never sell your G body for even remotely close to what you put in. Our G bodies were mass transit, compromise cars, they need major modification to be anything else. My 88 has absorbed 10 times it value, handling and real speed just aren't worth it for the cost. I can cut corners in my GT, I plan on enjoying long drives and burn outs on my living room couch 88 CSC, like my Father's Oldsmobile.

 

[pontiacgp]

I think if we add the time spent and the cost of the gas to go hunt down parts plus the wear and tear on your car and the time you put into working on the G body to the amount we spend on parts for our G body we'd........never mind, I really don't want to think about that....

 

[shanghaismith]

Its a shame that we can invest all this time and money in our cars and at the end of the day some snob can walk into the dealer and blow the paint off our doors with a car off the show room floor. One of my best friends has a Hellcat that runs 9.8s that he drives to work everyday. Im sure a few on the forum can match and even beat that but is it a daily driver?? technology has just got amazing and its inevitable that it continues in this direction. After I'm done with my 87 MCSS build with a N/A 6.0 and $25K later I'm modestly hoping for low 12s/high 11 sec 1/4 mile times. So just for S**Ts and giggles.... if you were to build a G body hellcat eater what route would you go??? how much engine, boost, and or nitrous will it take? what power train would sustain this power? what chassis upgrades would you make? rear end gear? what suspension and tires upgrades to put it to the ground?? the more details the better. lol. lets have some fun with this.........

The car you see in my sig line ran an 11.28 in the 1/4 I spent around $15,000. Here are some of the mods:
The engine is an Olds 403 .040 over with:
Arias Pistons
330 Steel Crank
Old Performance Products Oil Pump
Milodon 7qt oil pan
Lunati VooDoo cam and lifters
Comp Cams roller tip rockers and rod guides
#8 Ported Olds heads
SMI Quadrajet
Hedman Elite Headers
125 shot Nitrous

200 4R Transmission:
CK Performance shift recalibration kit.
10 Vane Pump
Sonex Servo
GM 2004R 12" Lock Up Street Strip Convertor 2200 Stall
Hardend sunshell and stator tube.
Eagle Steels and Clutches has 1 Extra clutch and steel
Becool 3 row radiator with twin electric fans.

UMI control arms in the rear with Hellwig sway bar.
Viking adjustable shocks all around.
Gussets to stiffen the frame.

This car is for sale, make an offer and get a great car at a great price.

 

[see2xu]

Without all the electronic wizardry that the new cars have built in, we're stuck building something stupidly extreme just to match one dimension of the modern car's performance. The old lady's Trackhawk, bone stock, will do 3.5 0-60, pull close to .9 lateral Gs, haul down from 70 in <170', then idle all day in traffic with the two dogs slobbering over her shoulder. With mammoth expenditure, we might get to one of those performance metrics, but to get to all three, you aren't going to be idling your track-eater on the way to Sonic for a burger, and the dogs won't like the noise, rough ride, or lack of appointments. And the new ones can bring a lot more value when you decide to get something else, than a one-trick street rod.

I love these old girls, and want to have one that is balanced, drivable, and looks good at a show or on cruise nights. Tighten down the suspension, add modern brakes, one or two overdrive cogs, and 400-500 horsepower, and they're quite easy to live with, and enjoy!

 

[L92 OLDS]

The car you see in my sig line ran an 11.28 in the 1/4 I spent around $15,000. Here are some of the mods

This car is for sale, make an offer and get a great car at a great price.

It’s good to see you are still around Larry! I hope all is well.

You should post some pics. Going from memory and the oldspower.com days your car was really clean and done right

 

[olds307 and 403]

I agree, Larry's car is a good example of not starting with a rot box, very nice car for that much money. A good example of build it right the first time.

 

[shanghaismith]

I agree, Larry's car is a good example of not starting with a rot box, very nice car for that much money. A good example of build it right the first time.

Good to hear from you and Anubis. I like what you said, "build it right the first time" but I would say "build it right the first time, no matter how many times you have to try to get it right." 😊

 

[MissBreezy]

I admit MOPAR munching has crossed my mind. I'm swapping an LY6 into my Malibu and plan to use boost also. Not sure which supercharger to use yet though.
The reality is that even if I build a 700hp engine I don't have the resources or budget to out engineer the folks at Chrysler/Dodge. So, I am going to continue to upgrade my suspension (UMI) as I go along and hopefully end up with a safe, fun hotrod, and leave those scary kitties alone 🙂