Rubbel's '09 Challenger SRT8 *INSANE* Project by BMC ... It Begins!

^^^^Smart assman^^^^

 

What is this kindergarden? the man needs at least a pony keg!

 

When I started this project I expected to be done by March of '09. Learned a lot since then LOL!! There's been a few days I felt like maybe a keg wouldn't do it.

 

hang in there jim!!! my vote is tweak the exhaust with something custom. also, i am with erik on this one........ PIN THE CRANK!!! lol i am actually kinda surprised to hear that was not done.......unless it is keyed already! lol

 

Crank is keyed so not going to pin the new 8 rib setup now. Thanks for the encouragement. I've been bolstered by all the positive comments over the past year concerning this project and the helpful ideas and contribution of hard work by so many!!

 

Everyone (almost) is talking about time, and I can understand Jim feeling a bit impatiance at times.
Jim, if you dont mind I´ll borrow your thread and tell you a story about waiting.
In short, I bought my Maggie in mid march 2008 in NY, certified Dodge dealer that gave me a good deal, 6 months old, 4.500 miles, mint!
The car arrived in Sweden 20th of june same year, borrowed some dealerplates and took her home. Got the papers in order (I thought) and tried to register it here in Sweden.
This is when I ran into the Swedish byrocracy! As the car was previously owned by Dodge, I had a "Certificate of Origin" and not a "Certificate of title".
THAT meant that I could not register the car in Sweden.
But maybe, or not, it went back and fourth, I was eventually ready to export the car to Germany, where it could be registerd, and then import it back to Sweden, extra cost about 5.000 USD...
At this point I was a bit touchy about the fab car just sitting in the garage for a year...
When I called the othorities to get my papers back they told me that there might be a chance if I remap the car.
I eventually found out what the remap was (change from US code to Europe, done in a blink...) and could register the car on the 15th of june 2009...
So from buying the car (and a used one at that!) to being acctually able to use it took 15 months, and I still just have a Maggie, you Jim, will have something very special...:ronlove:
Really looking forward to the last stages of the build and sincerly hope I don´t see it unfinnished when I come to Florida late march early april!

Fredrikopcorn:

 

thanks for helping put things into perspective.

 

WOW, just read through this thread and I am seriously jealous......

That's a damn nice build you have going on there. I cannot wait to see the final outcome of this one. Definitely thinking about stealing a few of your ideas when I build up my Challenger.

 

Jim your custom Cluster should be at BMC in a few days, can't wait to see it installed.

 

Thanks. I am excited about the new gauge cluster as well. For those who did not see what Redfox Racing added to this project here is a picture. I plan to add some blue gels to get evic to match the blue!!! BTW 1BAD4DR won a free cluster from Redfox. Waiting to see what he does on his!!



Also, Mr. Norms will supply a SFI bellhousing so no need for Kelvar tranny blanket.

And the whipple is in Australia being upgraded as this is written. We are getting close now!!!

 

Lisa

Have BB make the carbon fiber driveshaft he emailed me about so we can get this issue resolved. I assume you know this will fit the Corsa without modifications but assuming with BMC can be very costly. So tell me in writing does this fit without modifing the Corsa?

And please give me a cost for all labor, materials and an estimated delivery date knowing Daniel is not there to work on my car until next year. When is he scheduled to return in January?

And explain why you never even bothered to call with BB's CF solution. Just swamped again huh? That excuse is in several of your emails trying to justify why you take forever to gwet things done. Up to four months to even get an answer to my questions from BMC.

Buyers - beware this company!!!

And if you post all new threads again to bury this thread I'll just bump it up. Time people know the real BMC and how they operate!!!! One time to many LISA!!!
You do not want to argue on the forums - you just want to keep your lousy service in secret!!!

Too late for that now.

 

sigh..


Hope you get the issues resolved soon, Jim. So sorry you are having to endure this type of treatment.

 

Merry Christmas Jim. I hope your new year has a great start buddy, you soooo deserve it!

 

Actually I like the work BMC has done on my car. It really does look good. But the communication to get there is old, as is the lack of foresight and experience on such a complex project. I complain, but to be fair it is not all the fault of BMC. I've made changes in mid- stream. I am just past my patience level. Facing issues as they appear instead of planning so they don't is very frustrating. And I know that is easier than it sounds too!

Yet I am in a holiday spirit and feeling good!

If that does not make sense I can understand. It's just a car and life and family mean so much more.

fighting gets nobody anywhgere but I needed to blow off a lot of build up steam. I want to see BMC complete my build for their benefit and mine too!
Even though tempted at times to go elsewhere I've stayed the course and hope to continue to do so. Major builds ARE NOT EASY OR SIMPLE!!!!

 

There we go ^^^^^^ now that sounds better. I feel ya Jim, I know this is killin ya. Merry Christmas buddy!! I'm sure in the end, it will be worth the wait!!

 

Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!!!!

 

then........

Everybody is happy again

Hope your build wraps up soon to your expectations!

 

Posting all the bad and not giving some credit for all the good would not be fair. This has been a difficult build to say the least. Thanks to all those who input helped more than you know. Some I emailed and some not, but all sure helped me on this path.

Based on advise from experieced builders,

Sent info to BB to build the 3" chromoly driveshaft. I asked him to build it 3.25" instead if possible as Lisa said:

If you would like to spend the $900 on the chromoly driveshaft and have us modify the Corsa and re-coat it, we can do that. It would not be my decision if it were up to me, so I just wanted to give you my perspective. I am certainly not wanting to delay things, but want this done right. If you really want to get moving on it, have Bill make a 3.25" diameter chromoly driveshaft so at least the size is the same and we can measure and modify the exhaust as needed with that as the template.

My reply was wrap the 3" in cardboard and voila a 3.25" driveshaft to use for adding some Type 304 SS to make the Corsa work. Get that coated and were ready to drop in the CF when done in 4-5 weeks.

If we can't use a 3" and allow proper clearance for a 3 1/4" when modifying the Corsa something is really rotten in Denmark. A few pieces of bent Stainless 304 and some coating to match the other pipes should be simple and quick. Seems like some simple engineering calculations to me!!!

The sc was shipped before Christmasand should be here next week. The sales manager did not have time to seal the unit as he worked throughout their company's end of year party to get this shipped to me. That's great service IMO. Should be a very easy job for an expert shop like BMC to seal the sc unit. We will see. Per Lisa's schedule waiting on accumulator oil drain device (should be on way to BMC) second heat exchanger & water pump (also should be on way to BMC) and the SFI Bellhousing. If no firm delivery on bellhousing from Lisa by the time sc arrives this next week we will go without the SFI bellhousing and I'll get this done locally from Mr. Norms Garage.

Since everything else is on it's way to BMC we should be running and tuned very soon depending on how long to bend a few pipes and coat them takes!

 

Yella Terra did not have time to seal up the sc as they worked into their end of year party to get this shipped to me:

Yella Terra posted:

Hi Guys
Your new V2 set up has left, while everyone else was enjoying the break up party at YellaTerra I was pressure testing and boxing your beast
didn’t get time to seal the blower and new plate assembly down onto the new manifold, so I’ve supplied some Three bond to seal it up.

Then Lisa posted after reading the above:
"Yella Terra did not seal (?); BMC to put back together"

Why the drama from BMC? Just seal it up. Should be very simple for any professional. Why the question mark? What wasn't clear. You had no problem taking apart the Techco.

 

Hey Jim, I was working on a magnum today equiped with a Corsa exhaust and instantly saw a very easy way to modify the system so it will bolt right up with no drama at all. The only modification that parts will be required is the rear splice. This will get you running with nothing more than a trip to pepboys and an hours work. And later you could have the splice piece welded and coated.



Ok here's the deal:

Cut the exhaust tubing at "A" about 2"s after the bend.

Take the clamps loose at "B" and remove from the muffler. Remove the hangers.

Take those pieces and align the clamp side back at "C" to where the raduis clears the opening. And cut the mufflers loose.

Install (total 4) 3" couplers or have an exhaust shop mandrel the muffler section and the rear section aft of cut "A" and reinstall. You will need about a 3" extension for the rear section at cut "A".

Then work the hanger a little bit and weld to the muffler.

This will move the muffles out and clear the area for the driveshaft. It's an absolute piece of cake I tell ya.