12:05 Garage- ’70 Duster build
This will be a long winded reply so bear with me...
When I first bought the G3 I was all about making the swap, but then I started comparing the pros and cons. This was a running/driving car when I took it apart and I had already purchased most of the parts to convert the 408 to EFI, so that makes the 408 a relatively easy way to go. I started doing some research on what it would take to actually get the G3 installed in terms of fitment. I realized that all of the commercially available engine mounts and headers had their challenges. I also wanted to keep the A/C and wanted to use the car accessory drive on the G3, meaning the A/C compressor would likely interfere with the K-member. Lastly, the car was already painted and knowing at minimum I would have to notch the frame rail for the G3 alternator, this was the final straw in my decision. Throw the cost of new headers and a new flywheel/clutch setup, it was an easy decision for me to make. I'm happy with my decision now that it is in the car and I've done a pretty decent job of making it look "factoryish". It isn't often you seen the LA small block converted to EFI. Now I have a G3 for another project one day....
Wheels and tires
This has probably been the most indecisive subject on this whole build. Wheels make of break the look of a car. I knew I wanted a larger diameter wheel (especially now that a 15" wheel won't clear my brake calipers), but the biggest problem is tires. There aren't many performance tires available in 17" range, which leaves 18"s to be my only choice. While I do like the look of modern appearing wheels, it isn't my personality and I don't think it matches the look I'm after. I want this car to be timeless and continue to look period correct. I recently found ET Wheels who make replicas of old school design wheels in modern sizes. I'm going to use their LT-III wheel, which is a replica of the old mini light wheel used in road racing in the early 70s. This is a photo from their website. This is an 18x12, I won't have a wheel that wide so it won't have the big lip on it.
I'm going to paint the centers to match the charcoal grey I have elsewhere on the car and I'm going to have them brush the lips to match all the aluminum and stainless trim that I have brushed.
I should have some nice eye candy photos coming soon. My seats should arrive within the next couple weeks.
This will be a long winded reply so bear with me...
When I first bought the G3 I was all about making the swap, but then I started comparing the pros and cons. This was a running/driving car when I took it apart and I had already purchased most of the parts to convert the 408 to EFI, so that makes the 408 a relatively easy way to go. I started doing some research on what it would take to actually get the G3 installed in terms of fitment. I realized that all of the commercially available engine mounts and headers had their challenges. I also wanted to keep the A/C and wanted to use the car accessory drive on the G3, meaning the A/C compressor would likely interfere with the K-member. Lastly, the car was already painted and knowing at minimum I would have to notch the frame rail for the G3 alternator, this was the final straw in my decision. Throw the cost of new headers and a new flywheel/clutch setup, it was an easy decision for me to make. I'm happy with my decision now that it is in the car and I've done a pretty decent job of making it look "factoryish". It isn't often you seen the LA small block converted to EFI. Now I have a G3 for another project one day....
Wheels and tires
This has probably been the most indecisive subject on this whole build. Wheels make of break the look of a car. I knew I wanted a larger diameter wheel (especially now that a 15" wheel won't clear my brake calipers), but the biggest problem is tires. There aren't many performance tires available in 17" range, which leaves 18"s to be my only choice. While I do like the look of modern appearing wheels, it isn't my personality and I don't think it matches the look I'm after. I want this car to be timeless and continue to look period correct. I recently found ET Wheels who make replicas of old school design wheels in modern sizes. I'm going to use their LT-III wheel, which is a replica of the old mini light wheel used in road racing in the early 70s. This is a photo from their website. This is an 18x12, I won't have a wheel that wide so it won't have the big lip on it.
I'm going to paint the centers to match the charcoal grey I have elsewhere on the car and I'm going to have them brush the lips to match all the aluminum and stainless trim that I have brushed.
I should have some nice eye candy photos coming soon. My seats should arrive within the next couple weeks.