Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

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Pete
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by Pete »

I understand, but if you decide to re-work the car it will cost a whole lot more later on, it may be worth a bit more research before you get the welder out!

Barry (Boz) on here has a very good knowledge on this too!
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MrNorm
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by MrNorm »

Awesome, will be great Matt and look forward to seeing it!!

A few pictures of the real deal from Goodwood some years ago! AS Pete mentioned, we were there (in our E-bodies) to meet Gary Savage, son of Swede who originally drove it. Good times, and a great car!
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..........................................................................................................^ Gary!
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DaveBishop
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by DaveBishop »

got to love that car and a small block as well 305cu. in i think
2 x 1969 Dodge Darts
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Matt
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by Matt »

Yes the race cars ran de-stroked 340s to come inside the 305ci capacity limit for the series.
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by DaveBishop »

My 340 T/A engine would fit nicely in that
2 x 1969 Dodge Darts
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MattH
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by MattH »

DaveBishop wrote: Fri Dec 07, 18 10:22 am My 340 T/A engine would fit nicely in that
I know another car it would fit in rather well. :)
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SAV@RPM
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by SAV@RPM »

Good luck with the build Matt. The most important part of the engine build for circuit racing is the oiling system as it’s incredible how much oil surge occurs under hard cornering / braking. Also getting the oil back to the sump quickly, you can end up with all the oil up in the valve covers when running at high rpm’s. These problems are often particular to wet sump cars and depending on the regs, dry sumps are often not allowed. To build an FIA eligible car the model would have to have raced in period in Europe as confirmed by the RAC / MSA and have the necessary papers. I know you were not planning on going down that road but there seems to be some confusion concerning what is FIA eligible. We prepared and raced an FIA legal 65 Vette at Goodwood for many years. I also campaigned the 69 Superbee back in the day and that was a real learning curve and fantastic fun. Be great to see another Mopar out on the circuits amongst all those Mustangs and Camaro's. Happy to help if you have any questions.
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Matt
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by Matt »

Hi Martin

Thanks for the comments. I must drop in and say hi one day as you're only just round the corner.

I remember seeing pics of your Super Bee at the time.

Good point about the oiling. Dave Billadeau is building the engine and the intention was to use the Milodon pro-touring sump, for which they claim "Full competition baffling is capable of handling full road course use" Just have to hope the oil drains back into it quickly enough, as you say. The fly in the ointment is that the special pickup tube for this sump has been out of stock for about 6 months and the 'available' dates keep getting further away, so we may have to reconsider. It's a pain because I've already bought the sump and it was an eye-watering amount of money. I'm trying to avoid a dry-sump system due to cost, timescale, and complexity.
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Matt
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by Matt »

A bit more progress last couple of days.

Stripped the car down to bare shell ready for rust repair.

Engine & box out . 383 not original to the car and probably seized. I have no idea why the sump appears to be on back to front !
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Rear axle out
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Built a substantial rolling jig to mount the body on. I can make reference jigs from this for positions of frame rails etc as most of the rear sheetmetal will be cut out for replacement.
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Got all the sheetmetal ready to fit, although I've now decided that the whole front floor pan will need replacement so will need to order that separately. A friend can call in a favour with an airfreight company so it should be with me soon, and cheaply.


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IMG_1827.jpg (65.65 KiB) Viewed 1983 times
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Derek
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by Derek »

You're not hanging about Matt, I look forward ro regular updates please.
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autofetish
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by autofetish »

Holly Bananarama! Batman !!!!

Love it

We need updates every panel and cut !!!!!
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MattH
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by MattH »

That IS fast work, big stash of new parts already, is that a minilite in the pile too?

Really looking forward to watching this build.
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DaveBishop
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by DaveBishop »

Hi Matt
I one of those sumps on my 408 cu.in. and one one the 340 T/A expensive but they will make sure you always have enough oil :thumbright:
2 x 1969 Dodge Darts
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DaveB
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by DaveB »

Ive just put the circuit race sump on my 440 sixpack engine in the coronet,nice piece of kit.
Look forward to seeing progress Matt :thumbright:
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autofetish
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Re: Matt's 1970 'Trans-Am' Cuda

Post by autofetish »

Same sump on my 440 blower engine. If I’m correct the pickup was treaded to larger hemi size for the pickup.

Seems to work well !
The closer you are to death the more alive you are
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