Tell me this is a bad idea

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1988254884.html

It sure is tempting.

Internets list the weight at 3200-3500lbs.

It's got a cop motor, cop tires, cop shocks, hopefully the cigarette lighter doesn't need fixed.

I smell a 440 swap!

Would make a bitchin Lemons car.

Yes, it's a bad idea. Unless you're 106 miles from Chicago, you got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and you're wearing sunglasses.

Seriously though, if you've got an extra $1K laying around (and you're bored-and can lowball the guy in a couple of months when it doesn't sell), why not? It still amazes me that every Police package US car I've ever driven (and not just from the 70s-80s) handles better than the "waterbed" suspensions available to the general public at the time. Better power, too.

The 89s had the updated subframes. Sold my super clean 88 Gran Fury for that much 9 years ago. If it isn't rusty thats a steal.

It always amazes me the crummy pictures people put on CL. I especially love the one of the back of the front headrests.

According a mopar magazine article they weigh more like 3800 lbs.

At least he can spell and write a coherent ad. Unlike this fellow.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1937309564.html

Yup. It's a bad idea. No doubt about it. Bad, bad, bad.

Now, WHERE is that checkbook?

I'd sooner get a Miata for $1k or an RX7 or a VW Rabbit or just about anything else

EvanB wrote: According a mopar magazine article they weigh more like 3800 lbs.

that sounds more correct. the rwd Mopars tend to be heavy for how big they are. did they still have the "lean fire" 318 in '89?

It doesn't appeal to me, but then I figure I've got at least a few more months to obtain a ZAV.

Like JYD said, the '89 has the better K in it. Not much available in the way of torsion bar upgrades for the F-M-J chassis, but Firm Feel Inc has stock size bars available. Don't know if/when they plan on making bigger ones. They do have the ability to do it in house.

Ditch the rubber k-member isolators for some poly ones or some solid aluminum ones to tighten up the front end. Same for the spring isolators at the rear. A cop package car should have the rear sway bar already on there.

Car probably has a ton of insulation and sound deadening in it. The '88 SE I parted out did. Shouldn't be hard to put it on a diet at all.

The '89 has an electronically managed carb and timing control. Looks similar to the earlier Lean Burn system, but not as bad. No good for performance, but if it's working that's fine for cruising. Odds are it's already gone and converted to a standard carb and electronic ignition.

The 318 will really wake up with simple hot rodding. If it's a 2bbl it will have the smaller port heads but a slightly higher compression ratio. If it's a 4bbl it will have the 360 ports and a little less compression. Freeing up the exhaust does wonders for these cars. There's plenty of room for true duals under it.

Yes a 440 will fit. Fits pretty well too. Way overkill. A Magnum 360 will weigh about the same as the 318 in there now. A stock 360 Magnum truck motor with a dual plane 4bbl intake an an earlier electronic ignition distributor will give you the basic Mopar Performance 300 horse crate motor. We're planning a swap like this for a buddy's Dippy. Not sure yet, but the Magnum exhaust manifolds look like they will work in the Dippy.

The cop package should have the 8 1/4 rear in it. Could have crappy 2.42 rear gears in it. I think the Bonneville bound 2.29 was only available in the 7 1/4. If you are lucky it could have the "good" 2.94 gears. Some of the earlier ones were available with 3.21's. But a trip to the junkyard should find a '87-96 Dakota with an 8 1/4. They were available with 3.21, 3.55, and 3.91 gears. All ratios were available with a Sure Grip diff (Mopar speak for limited slip or "Posi").

I could tell you it is a bad idea.. but I would be lying

Yes it's a bad idea, but do it anyway.

We all know that some of our best stories can be directly attributed to bad ideas.

Thus far in life (knock on wood), I've had really good luck with bad ideas. It's some of the good ones that went awry (not all of them).

Clem

Possibly the safest vehicle you can drive from the pre-airbag era.

I had one ('85, 318 4bbl). It has serious motor issues. Was planning to hot rod it, never got around to it...because I got rear ended at a dead stop by a Taurus doing 35mph. They hit me on the right rear corner.

The Taurus was DONE. It left on a rollback. The Diplomat's bumper exploded in a cloud a of latent rust, my right tailight cracked, and there was one small buckle in the roof above the RR door. THAT'S ALL.

Supposedly those things took a lot of extra bracing and such in car that was already not light. I can vouch that a lot of visible body seams were at least partially seam-welded where they would normally be spot-welded.

Police package cars should have external PS coolers and tranny coolers. I think they might get a 727 instead of a 904 as well, but don't quote me on that.

Handling will be good by '80's luxobarge standards, but a modern P71 or 9C1 caprice will probably handle better. Like almost all RWD Chryslers, steering feel is nonexistent.

It will not be fast stock....but as Rob_Mopar said, 318s can make good power relatively cheaply. 360s are almost plug-and-play, as well.

novaderrik wrote:

EvanB wrote: According a mopar magazine article they weigh more like 3800 lbs.

that sounds more correct. the rwd Mopars tend to be heavy for how big they are. did they still have the "lean fire" 318 in '89?

"Lean Burn", you mean? Believe that was gone by '89. My '85 didn't have it. It DID have a computer controlled quadrajet (heresy!).