What's your best 'low buck' upgrade on your Charger?

[CB]

I think one of the best upgrades that won't cost you big $$$ would be going from points to electric ignition.
Also an aluminum radiator (with bigger flow) and a trans cooler would be affordable.
When thinking about safety of course adding disc brakes is necessary but that's already a +1K project.

What do you guys think is a big improvement over stock that wouldn't break the bank?

  CB

[tan top]

 i think  form a safty point ..converting to discs .... but having said that i'm still running the original manual drums ..even after a nut & bolt resto ..... will get a disc brake set up soon 

[CB]

Oh yes, forgot to mention, those Three Point Retractable Belt from XV Motorsports is on my wish list too

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=113

CB

[1BAD68]

rear springs, less than 300 bucks but a huge improvement in handling

[Joshua]

The MP electronic voltage regulator to replace the old point type on the firewall for the charging system.....

[PocketThunder]

i think  form a safty point ..converting to discs .... but having said that i'm still running the original manual drums ..even after a nut & bolt resto ..... will get a disc brake set up soon 

Isn't that the truth, we spend thousands of dollars on a restoration and then keep the drum brakes because the $1100 for the disc conversion is so hard to get out of our wallet. 

[Hemidoug]

Let me know when you find something that is both an improvement AND low buck........most low buck stuff ends up costing more than the big buck stuff that should have been used the first time......

[charger_fan_4ever]

Just a note On the drum/disc comparison.

I had a 4 wheel disc trans am years ago  and still have a fox body mustang with rear drums & discs up front. The mustang always out breaked the trans am and the trans am had new discs,calipers ect.

When talking to a heavy truck mechanic thats into muscle cars he made me think twice as i always heard disc disc disc. He said that all big rigs are drum brakes.

Wonder why 

[Arthu®]

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43857/article.html

The way I think of it and the reason that a lot of "big rigs" still have all drum brakes is that because they are ten times larger they can get rid of the heat more efficiently than the drum brake that has to fit inside a 14" wheel. But even the "big rigs" today at least in Europe mostly have disc brakes. Trailers are still mostly drum brakes, but you have to consider that most trailers are 20 years old.

Arthur

[BigBlackDodge]

The headlight/relay upgrade was cheap and gives you a lot more light at night to drive by!


BBD

[Joshua]

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43857/article.html

The way I think of it and the reason that a lot of "big rigs" still have all drum brakes is that because they are ten times larger they can get rid of the heat more efficiently than the drum brake that has to fit inside a 14" wheel. But even the "big rigs" today at least in Europe mostly have disc brakes. Trailers are still mostly drum brakes, but you have to consider that most trailers are 20 years old.

Arthur

They do not get rid of heat faster....part of brake fade with drums is the drum grows as it heats up and the wheel cylinders run out of travel to make up for the extra space created by the brake drum growth....now, semi's don't have wheel cyls...they have air cans with a lever (slack adjusters) and a cam for the shoes, that have alot more travel to compensate and adjust for brake drum "growth" when hot....but they still will fade.
Ever see those runaway truck ramps on mountain passes? Also trucks will have "jake" brakes, a compression brake that closes the exhaust valves, to help slow 'em down....
There is a fleet of new Peterbuilts at work with NEW trailers.....all drum brakes.
Drum brakes get a bad rap to due improper maintainence.
Some of the cars with drums I've had in the past, one a '61 Olds, stopped much better than other cars I've had with discs.

[Foreman72]

i think the discs have more consistency and reliability...i mean why are they stock on every new car now ...as for brakes i'm interested in this...it looks pretty sick...
http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/archive/disc-main.html

but "low buck" upgrades?

-B&M shift kit
-ignition conversion
-cupholders kidding


i also agree w/ the springs...and if u don;t currently have one i'd get a suregrip...

[terrible one]

Something for my Charger that is "low buck?"

Haven't found it yet!

[BronzeOnSteelies]

 My $40 fire extinguisher mounted under my dash!     

[dads_69]

Selling it saved me $$.

[Death1970Proof]

I think one of the best upgrades that won't cost you big $$$ would be going from points to electric ignition.
Also an aluminum radiator (with bigger flow) and a trans cooler would be affordable.
When thinking about safety of course adding disc brakes is necessary but that's already a +1K project.

What do you guys think is a big improvement over stock that wouldn't break the bank?

  CB

Im all about budget but $1k for disc brakes???    WHOA! Let me let you guys in on a secret!  You know the '73-76 abodies?? Such as duster,dart sport and valiant?? Find one of those and rob the spindles as they will bolt directly to your control arms! Get the spindles and hardware along with the correct proportioning valve and other than that just the general replacement stuff such as a new set of rotors,master cylinder and brake pads and wheel bearings while your in there. This is what Im doing on my '70 charger.   You could probably get out for around $350 or $400 and thats buying lots of stuff new  :2thumbs :Cannot afford the wilwood stuff so this is where I turned to...

[Musicman]

Disc Brakes/ Drum Brakes...
Most brake manufactures will tell you that disc brakes are nice to have up front where the most heat is generated, but that drums are generally preferred at the rear. Drums brakes are stronger, but they are susceptible to the problems associated with off-gassing when they get hot. They do make various styles of high performance shoes for high heat applications, but they are $$$.

Bang for the Buck... Right now I would have to say that changing over to an XHD suspension system front & rear was a real nice boost for a fairly small investment. Of course, like many, my car is still a "work in progress", so time will tell.

[tan top]

The MP electronic voltage regulator to replace the old point type on the firewall for the charging system.....

 

 yep forgot about that     even just go for  the original looking one with modern electronics

 

 My $40 fire extinguisher mounted under my dash!

 

 yep too true dude ..thats another good one   

[Rolling_Thunder]

low buck upgrade....       hmmmm....         Headlight Relay, converting ammeter to volt meter, electronic ignition, MSD box, Disc brakes, Shocks, Sway Bars, Rims....   

[Brock Samson]

how about a battery disconnect?..

 

[dkn1997]

130 amp denso alternator.  total cost was under 150.  best mod I ever did.

[69charger2002]

best 2 mods in my opinion is electronic ignition($200) and mopar front disc brake kit ($850), next would be new suspension bushings($300)

[CB]

interesting stuff guys, thanks so far for your input!
CB

[Brock Samson]

the locking gas caps are pretty sweet. 

[Ghoste]

A new ignition coil in my case.  Come to think of it, it needed a carb kit too when I started driving it.

[craigandlynda]

best, lowest buck improvement was swapping out original headlites for newer, brighter type...

[Foreman72]

how brite r those lights u hav craigandlynda?

[craigandlynda]

get the halogen type that came out in the 1980's...they look the same as original sealed beams, but shine farther and whiter...available any good auto parts store

[Ryan]

XV motorsports seat belts  $120   I feel much safer with them

08 charger srt-8 power front buckets, only cost me $200 after I sold my 70 highbacks. Made the car a million times more enjoyable.

[mikesbbody]

ditching the points, going for electronic ignition (msd 6al) so much better 

[ITSA426]

One of the lowest buck upgrades I've done is feed it a few gallons of 110 leaded racing gas.  It seems to like that.  I remember when that wasn't really an upgrade, but the gas we buy now is a step or two above cattle urine.

[CB]

so we got:

suspension:
rear springs / suspension bushings


electric:

headlight/relay upgrade
ignition conversion / electronic voltage regulator
converting ammeter to volt meter
battery disconnect
(130 amp denso) alternator

safety:

fire extinguisher / seat belts /  locking gas cap


Looks like the electric parts on our Mopars definitely could use some upgrades 

[moparjohn]

OK really simple one esp. for those who don't have a 6 way.  Take the seat spacer out of the rear of your front seat mounting bolts and stack it on the front . More rake to the seat, more comfy.