newer donor car into old "pony" car

[satrianirulz929606]

Hello all....my first post is kinda ambiguous but here goes....
Ive always been a car nut and have built some 5.0 stangs in my time
but im thinking of tackling a new challenge.My brother in law
is building an old 72 dart and bringing it back from the dead.Watching him
work on it has me wanting something similar but with a twist.
How difficult is it to use a complete running newer donor car and gut it
for the motor/tranny computer etc and place this into a 60s-70s
pony car chassis.IE a 98 chevy s10 6 cylinder 5 spd manual into
a 70-72 dodge dart.I know problems will be motor mounting,exhaust brackets
and mostly sensor issues.Anyone done this?
I want realiable gas saver into classy muscle frame on a tight budget.
Is this nutz?
"pony" meaning small sport or muscle chassis not just mustang.
unconcerned about HP just a reliable crusier.

[curtis73]

Anything is possible with a torch and a welder, but do some serious background research first. The chances that the oil pan will fit without serious alterations are very slim. You may end up with crazy money in just getting it physically bolted in.

The electronic part is usually pretty easy. Just use common sense and a haynes manual and it will go pretty smoothly.

If you want reliable, just put a slant six in it. They are models of reliability and do pretty well in the MPG department too.

[vgames33]

You may have to change out the steering rack to make the oil pan fit. There was some guy who tried to put a TPI 350 in a Cavalier Z24 hatchback (I know this is also FWD to RWD), but he had to use a Mustang rack to fit the engine. He did get it running, but ended up selling it before completion.

[satrianirulz929606]

thanx for the heads up.I guess choosing an old car with a larger
engine bay may be in order.Also the firewall clearance as for oil pan
clearing and steering box.well i dont own anything yet just my brother in law does.Im still looking and researching trying to find affordable
and classic in the same sentence.Its a tall order but something may turn up
i hope.I almost purchased a 65 amc american rambler full restomod
with 6 banger for 6k.Parts availability made me change my mind
Gorgeous car thats still for sale and a show car also but it had $4800
worth of front end damage.No body shop will touch it.3 stage pearl copper
paint and parts made it expensive.I couldve lived with damage
because it sure didnt look like 4800.00!
I didnt have 6k either but if it were a mustang or a popular car with aftermarket support i would own it .......with banks help..lol

[curtis73]

You might have better luck with a dodge V6. Usually engine families tend to keep the same basic chassis design and therefore oil pan design throughout the years.

[satrianirulz929606]

UPDATE!!!!..........problems solved
I just purchased a running 1976 chevy nova 2 door.
It has strait 6 and auto.Im hoping to get good mileage but
Im happy now that i have a base car to mod and fix up.
Oh yeah....I got a munci 4 spd trans thrown in the trunk
to mate up w/ v8 swap in the future.
I will probably start a 350 build up or maybe even 396
by years end.