1976 dodge dart CUMMINS12 valve swap HELP!

**thrashingcows** · 06-13-2014

I hate to discourage anyone form their intended purpose...but I have to agree with the others. That poor A-body will not survive with a cummins 6BT in it, nor the construction process You might be able to make a 4BT work.

You are going to have to cut, and modify so much of the car to make this intended drive train work, that you will have major issue. Your engine set-back will probably have the back of the motor sitting about where the radio face plate is sitting now. Then there is the narrow tunnel between the torsion bars...probably will not be able to clear tranny, so they will have to be removed.

Now that you've removed the main supporting items from the front suspension, you will now have to re-engineering a complete front suspension system. Then there is the unibody construction. With 1200+ pounds of cummins and tranny those front frame rails will buckle under the strain. As stated you will be better off building a square tube frame from scratch. Or at teh very least you will require subframe connectors, and a major drag racing cage inside the car to tie all the ends together.

These are just a few of the issues I can think of off the top of my head...sure there are a 100 more to consider. I know you have your heart, and mind set on this combo...but you need to re-think things. This is not a wise course to be taking.

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**Polaraco** · 06-13-2014

The torsion bars would never handle the weight. Then you need to consider the rear suspension and axle.

The good thing is the weight is going back so the rear suspension will share the weight more. You'll have to tub the firewall. As Stu mentioned, you'll not have the width with the T Bar suspension. You might want to find a pick up chassis and narrow it to fit under the car

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**Wildkarrd RRD** · 06-13-2014

Just to throw another idea out there... What if he went mid-mount with the engine and used a transaxle?

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**Rockwerx** · 06-15-2014

Originally Posted by thewildkarrd

Just to throw another idea out there... What if he went mid-mount with the engine and used a transaxle?

That would put the engine somewhere between the front seats. Not going to work. LOL

The only way I can see this project being done is to build a chassis and use the Duster body as a skin. Lots of guys build vehicles like this for race purposes...not sure about a daily driver though.

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**Polaraco** · 06-15-2014

Oh I dunno Stu. A decent 1/2 ton chassis, narrowed and shortened might work. I'd have to measure it, but I'd say the leaning tower of power isn't that much shorter. Maybe a few inches. I'm betting the fire wall will have to go go back to the dash. That will mess up the wipers. Definitely a challenge. Maybe the doner chassis will work

It's going to have to sit pretty deep though. It will have to go back enough to allow for the large rad needed. Electric fans will be wise. Inter cooler, maybe. Have to convert to Hydro boost brakes. Unless the engine has a vac pump on it.

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**cutteruprob** · 04-30-2016

did you ever end up doing this project ?

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**Windycreek** · 05-27-2017

Ok i realize this is an old thread. But this has got my interest peaked.... Ive got a spare 12valve sitting in my shop, and 68 Dodge dart sedan. Im thinking a dedicated diesel drag car...would do really well in the diesel drags....

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**HKBIGDADDYDIESELDAN** · 05-28-2017

Originally Posted by Jonathan Payne

Alright fellas I'm brand new on the forum, I'm looking for really any info that will help in the build I'm planning. I own a 76 DDart coupe and I'm going to swap a 5.9 12 valve into it.
i realize this will be a lot of work and am willing and prepared to do it. What I lack is proper tools and know how. I also lack a donor truck which I know I will need. You guys know anywhere here in south ab where I might be able to find a 94-98 2 wd auto cummins? I've exhausted kijiji for now and can't seem to find one quite yet. Also I'd like to do some ground work before I get the truck and prep the car as much as I can to make the swap as simple as possible. Any suggestions for front suspension upgrades?
Any other suggestions are very welcome.
Jonathan

Wow bud that is one hell of a swap don't really believe that your vehicle is going to be able to handle the weight and or torque that the Cummins has and puts out

Have you thought about the 4BT would be a lot more easier for you to accomplish and you can get major torque and horsepower out of this motor also ?

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**Windycreek** · 05-31-2017

Originally Posted by HKBIGDADDYDIESELDAN

Wow bud that is one hell of a swap don't really believe that your vehicle is going to be able to handle the weight and or torque that the Cummins has and puts out

Have you thought about the 4BT would be a lot more easier for you to accomplish and you can get major torque and horsepower out of this motor also ?

Hk If they can put one in an 06 dodge charger then it can be done in an old A-body and I aim to prove it.

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**HKBIGDADDYDIESELDAN** · 06-01-2017

Originally Posted by Windycreek

Hk If they can put one in an 06 dodge charger then it can be done in an old A-body and I aim to prove it.

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Agreed Windy I never said that it couldn't be done I just said it is going to be one hell of a lot of work and fabrication and every other thing nothing is Impossible when you put in the time and energy and ingenuity

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