Mopar B-Body Chrysler muscle cars built from the mid 60s to the late 70s include classic models such as the Charger, Road Runner, GTX, Super Bee, and Coronet. Automotive technology has vastly improved since these cars were manufactured, and therefore owners can now enjoy the muscle car experience with a comfortable ride, sharp handling, an efficient transmission, and many creature comforts.
This book explains how to choose the ideal heads, cams, intake, and carb for a complete top-end performance package. In addition, the author discusses and explains the building of a stroker engine. When going fast, you must be able to stop, so substantial brake upgrades are a necessity. All the stock disc upgrades and aftermarket offerings are included, including Baer and Wilwood systems.
Author Andrew Finkbeiner explains how to fabricate, as well as install, subframe connectors and upgrade K-frame members.
A number of weight-saving techniques that vastly improve handling and performance are revealed. Finkbeiner also goes into detail on how to select proper performance components, upgraded steering boxes, overdrive transmissions, clutch, exhaust, electrical system upgrades, and so much more. This B-Body performance guide is a must-have for Mopar aficionados.
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Lighter Weight
Porting
Conversion Complications
Small-Block Heads
Big-Block Heads
Hemi Engines
Project: Installing Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Chapter 2: Upgrade to a Roller Camshaft
Alignment
End Play
Oil Pressure Control
Valvetrain Components
Gear Compatibility
Project: Installing Roller Cams
Chapter 3: Engine Stroking or Swapping
Small-Blocks
Big-Blocks
Aftermarket Blocks
Drivetrain Considerations
Matching Top End
Project: Building a 427-ci Small-Block
Engine Swap Guide
1962 to 1965
1966 to 1972
1973 to 1978
Support Systems for Engine Swaps
Modern Engine Swaps
Chapter 4: Engine System Upgrades
Performance Intake Manifolds
Carburetor Choices
Wide-Band Essentials
Cooling System Fundamentals
Oiling System Modifications
Oil Coolers and Remote Filters
Oil Pump Pickups
Windage Trays and Scrapers
Steering Linkage Clearance
Dry Sump Systems
Electrical System
Chapter 5: Brake System Fundamentals
Master Cylinder Bore Size
Caliper Design, Fixed or Floating
Rotor Size
Piston Area
Matching Brake System Parts
Bias
Proportioning Valves
Chapter 6: Brake Upgrades with Factory Parts
Factory Brake System
Knuckle Interchange
Calipers
Master Cylinders
Brake Pads
Rotors
Stainless Steel Brake Hoses
Power vs. Manual Brakes
Summary
Chapter 7: Aftermarket Brake Systems
Street Kits
Drag Racing Kits
Caliper Upgrades for Factory Rotors
Big Brakes for High Speed and Road Racing
Building a Custom Brake Kit
Project: Installing a Custom Brake Kit
Baer Builder Series
Chapter 8: Rear Disc Brakes
Design Considerations
Axle Shaft Bearings
Bias
Tuning a Rear Disc Brake System
Master Cylinder Selection
Drag Race Kits
Road Race Kits
Street Driving
Project: Installing a Rear Disc on a Track Car
Chapter 9: Front Suspension Upgrades
Torsion Bars
Shock Absorbers
Ride Height
Upper Control Arms
Lower Control Arms
Strut Rods
Sway Bars
Frame Isolators for Late B-Body Cars
Coil-Over Front Suspensions
Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Chapter 10: Rear Suspension Upgrades
Leaf Springs
Shock Absorbers
Sway Bars
Advanced Modifications
Chapter 11: Performance Steering Systems
Power Steering
Manual Steering
Quick-Ratio Pitman Arm
Factory Steering System Upgrades
Chapter 12: Unibody Chassis Upgrades
Frame Connectors
Torque Boxes
Bracing Systems
Seam Welding
Roll Cages
Race Car Techniques
K-member Modifications
Chapter 13: Weight Reduction and Distribution
Front End Weight Reduction
Drivetrain Weight Reduction
Interior Weight Reduction
Weight Distribution
Chapter 14: Ride Height, Wheels and Tires
Ride Height
Wheels
Retrofitting Modern Wheels
Tire Considerations
Chapter 15: Drivetrain Upgrades
Flywheels
Clutches
Driveshafts
Rear Ends
Chapter 16: Automatic and Manual
Transmission Swaps
5-Speed Options
6-Speed Options
Gear Vendors Overdrive
Automatic Overdrives
Source Guide
Mopar B-Body Chrysler muscle cars built from the mid 60s to the late 70s include classic models such as the Charger, Road Runner, GTX, Super Bee, and Coronet. Automotive technology has vastly improved since these cars were manufactured, and therefore owners can now enjoy the muscle car experience with a comfortable ride, sharp handling, an efficient transmission, and many creature comforts.
This book explains how to choose the ideal heads, cams, intake, and carb for a complete top-end performance package. In addition, the author discusses and explains the building of a stroker engine. When going fast, you must be able to stop, so substantial brake upgrades are a necessity. All the stock disc upgrades and aftermarket offerings are included, including Baer and Wilwood systems.
Author Andrew Finkbeiner explains how to fabricate, as well as install, subframe connectors and upgrade K-frame members.
A number of weight-saving techniques that vastly improve handling and performance are revealed. Finkbeiner also goes into detail on how to select proper performance components, upgraded steering boxes, overdrive transmissions, clutch, exhaust, electrical system upgrades, and so much more. This B-Body performance guide is a must-have for Mopar aficionados.
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Lighter Weight
Porting
Conversion Complications
Small-Block Heads
Big-Block Heads
Hemi Engines
Project: Installing Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Chapter 2: Upgrade to a Roller Camshaft
Alignment
End Play
Oil Pressure Control
Valvetrain Components
Gear Compatibility
Project: Installing Roller Cams
Chapter 3: Engine Stroking or Swapping
Small-Blocks
Big-Blocks
Aftermarket Blocks
Drivetrain Considerations
Matching Top End
Project: Building a 427-ci Small-Block
Engine Swap Guide
1962 to 1965
1966 to 1972
1973 to 1978
Support Systems for Engine Swaps
Modern Engine Swaps
Chapter 4: Engine System Upgrades
Performance Intake Manifolds
Carburetor Choices
Wide-Band Essentials
Cooling System Fundamentals
Oiling System Modifications
Oil Coolers and Remote Filters
Oil Pump Pickups
Windage Trays and Scrapers
Steering Linkage Clearance
Dry Sump Systems
Electrical System
Chapter 5: Brake System Fundamentals
Master Cylinder Bore Size
Caliper Design, Fixed or Floating
Rotor Size
Piston Area
Matching Brake System Parts
Bias
Proportioning Valves
Chapter 6: Brake Upgrades with Factory Parts
Factory Brake System
Knuckle Interchange
Calipers
Master Cylinders
Brake Pads
Rotors
Stainless Steel Brake Hoses
Power vs. Manual Brakes
Summary
Chapter 7: Aftermarket Brake Systems
Street Kits
Drag Racing Kits
Caliper Upgrades for Factory Rotors
Big Brakes for High Speed and Road Racing
Building a Custom Brake Kit
Project: Installing a Custom Brake Kit
Baer Builder Series
Chapter 8: Rear Disc Brakes
Design Considerations
Axle Shaft Bearings
Bias
Tuning a Rear Disc Brake System
Master Cylinder Selection
Drag Race Kits
Road Race Kits
Street Driving
Project: Installing a Rear Disc on a Track Car
Chapter 9: Front Suspension Upgrades
Torsion Bars
Shock Absorbers
Ride Height
Upper Control Arms
Lower Control Arms
Strut Rods
Sway Bars
Frame Isolators for Late B-Body Cars
Coil-Over Front Suspensions
Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Chapter 10: Rear Suspension Upgrades
Leaf Springs
Shock Absorbers
Sway Bars
Advanced Modifications
Chapter 11: Performance Steering Systems
Power Steering
Manual Steering
Quick-Ratio Pitman Arm
Factory Steering System Upgrades
Chapter 12: Unibody Chassis Upgrades
Frame Connectors
Torque Boxes
Bracing Systems
Seam Welding
Roll Cages
Race Car Techniques
K-member Modifications
Chapter 13: Weight Reduction and Distribution
Front End Weight Reduction
Drivetrain Weight Reduction
Interior Weight Reduction
Weight Distribution
Chapter 14: Ride Height, Wheels and Tires
Ride Height
Wheels
Retrofitting Modern Wheels
Tire Considerations
Chapter 15: Drivetrain Upgrades
Flywheels
Clutches
Driveshafts
Rear Ends
Chapter 16: Automatic and Manual
Transmission Swaps
5-Speed Options
6-Speed Options
Gear Vendors Overdrive
Automatic Overdrives
Source Guide