Cuda SRT8 392 Gen.III Hemi

Here's a build thread for my 1969 Cuda. The original build intent of my car was going to be a 440/automatic NHRA B/SA Stock Eliminator race car. Once I fully realized how expensive it is to be competitive in Stock Eliminator, I decided to build an A12 type 440-6 4 speed Cuda (something the factory never built). In '04, I fell in love with the new Gen3 Hemis and bought one of the first 5.7 Mopar Performance crate motors to be released. THEN, the 6.1 SRT cars came out and it was love all over again!

The final goal and "theme" for my car is to build a '69 Cuda SRT8, as if that car was available back then. It is also getting a few mods from that concept, as if I'd bought the car new in '69 and on "day 2" put full length headers, big wheels and tires, etc. on the car.

At first, I was absolutely intent on not cutting up the car. I found that all the aftermarket stuff available for these conversions back in '04-05 was crap and NOTHING fit the way it was supposed to. Not much has changed there, even today. I accepted that and started some fairly extensive cutting and fabrication. I don't regret my decisions, as I'm now going to have my dream car, exactly the way I want it, without compromise. No rubbing, rattling, etc of mis-matched, crappy fit aftermarket stuff. I've either custom made things myself, or highly modified any aftermarket stuff I've bought. This car will reasonably look like it was engineered by the factory. Obviously, most of us Mopar affectionados will know it's a conversion, but the typical Chevy guy will likely think it came this way from the factory! LOL

I sold my 5.7 MP crate motor in favor of a new 6.1 engine. The TKO500 I bought for the 5.7 was also sold in favor of a TKO600. All the rage now seems to be going with 6 speeds, but I think I'll be just fine with 5. However, when all the stroker components came out for these engines, I started yearning for more HP, as I was concerned I may get bored (!?!) with the stock, 425HP. After much research and talking with many pros, I decided against a 426 stroker and went with the 392.

The engine as you see it below, was pulled out after this final "mockup" shot and sent back to BES Racing for a custom build with ported heads and intake manifold, 11 to 1 custom pistons and a custom cam. I told Tony that I wanted at least 500-525HP and his response was, "oh, it will be WELL NORTH of that". I think I'll be satisfied.

All fab work is done now and body work was done a long time ago. I have just a skosh more prep to do and I'll bring it to the spray booth. Other than new parts I've bought and the BES 392 build, I'm doing all the work on this car myself, including the paint. I'm an older "coot" with many of my younger years spent doing this kind of work for other people. It's time that I do one for myself to enjoy. Hope you enjoy the pics I'll post and the progress as I go forward. Sorry for the long winded intro... :)