kkritsilas
Well-Known Member
Hello:
I would like to get an opinion, and some information regarding the 1979 Magnums. Sorry if this is inappropriate, but this is the model that the Mirada replaced, even though that is pretty much the only thing they have to do with each other.
There are two that I can get to that are for sale, one is an XE, black with what is described with a full load of options except for the sunroof, including leather seats, no rust (but needs to have the vinyl roof replaced and no engine, for $600. The other is a green Magnum GT with T-Tops, no leather or sunroof, otherwise fully loaded, but has some rust and the ECU and power brake booster has been removed (replacement supplied) for $2600. Either car will need to be flat bed trailered out, which I can have a friend go out and do with me. The questions are:
1. I am leaning towards the XE due to lower amount of rust. It isn't the GT model, but I think it is overall a car that would be easier to get into good condition. Is the extra money and bodywork cost worth it on the GT? I am also not a big fan of the green color of the GT.
2. If I do get the XE, it will need an engine. I think that the Magnums in 1979 only had 360s as the biggest engines. I know a Big Block would probably fit with the correct engine mounts (like from Shumacker). What is the clearance around the suspension/steering components like? It can be an issue with the J body cars. How about header clearance on the big blocks in the late B bodies? I know I will need to get a big block A727 transmission, and probably have to move the transmission mount around. I would appreciate knowing if this is worth it, or just stick to a 360. By big Block, I am talking about a 440.
3. What rear end was used in 1979? On the J Bodies that I have, it is an 8.25", both open differentials with 2.94 ratios. Did the 79s come with 8.25" or did they have 8.75" rear ends? Did the GT have a limited slip standard? Consensus here is that the 8.25" is only good for about 300-325 horsepower (using street tires). If I get a big block into the XE, I guess I will probably be needing to find an 8.75"? Does the extra weight of the B bodies change any of this?
4. How bad is it trying to get the Magnum's headlight doors to work? Do they break often, and how hard is it to find parts for repairing them? Motors, linkages (if any) and covers.
I'd appreciate any guidance anybody could provide regarding buying either of these cars. I know some of this has been covered with topics on our cars, but the big block engine swap stuff, for example, is different between our J bodies and the B bodies because our J bodies have the transverse torsion bar front end, and the B bodies have the regular, longitudinal torsion bar setup. I don't know what implications this has for the steering and suspension clearances on the B bodies, and I think that this should be pretty straightforward, as the B bodies did come with big blocks until 1978. The rest is more of a request for information, and opinions. Thanks for your tolerance, and if the mods want to delete the thread, I understand.
Kostas
I would like to get an opinion, and some information regarding the 1979 Magnums. Sorry if this is inappropriate, but this is the model that the Mirada replaced, even though that is pretty much the only thing they have to do with each other.
There are two that I can get to that are for sale, one is an XE, black with what is described with a full load of options except for the sunroof, including leather seats, no rust (but needs to have the vinyl roof replaced and no engine, for $600. The other is a green Magnum GT with T-Tops, no leather or sunroof, otherwise fully loaded, but has some rust and the ECU and power brake booster has been removed (replacement supplied) for $2600. Either car will need to be flat bed trailered out, which I can have a friend go out and do with me. The questions are:
1. I am leaning towards the XE due to lower amount of rust. It isn't the GT model, but I think it is overall a car that would be easier to get into good condition. Is the extra money and bodywork cost worth it on the GT? I am also not a big fan of the green color of the GT.
2. If I do get the XE, it will need an engine. I think that the Magnums in 1979 only had 360s as the biggest engines. I know a Big Block would probably fit with the correct engine mounts (like from Shumacker). What is the clearance around the suspension/steering components like? It can be an issue with the J body cars. How about header clearance on the big blocks in the late B bodies? I know I will need to get a big block A727 transmission, and probably have to move the transmission mount around. I would appreciate knowing if this is worth it, or just stick to a 360. By big Block, I am talking about a 440.
3. What rear end was used in 1979? On the J Bodies that I have, it is an 8.25", both open differentials with 2.94 ratios. Did the 79s come with 8.25" or did they have 8.75" rear ends? Did the GT have a limited slip standard? Consensus here is that the 8.25" is only good for about 300-325 horsepower (using street tires). If I get a big block into the XE, I guess I will probably be needing to find an 8.75"? Does the extra weight of the B bodies change any of this?
4. How bad is it trying to get the Magnum's headlight doors to work? Do they break often, and how hard is it to find parts for repairing them? Motors, linkages (if any) and covers.
I'd appreciate any guidance anybody could provide regarding buying either of these cars. I know some of this has been covered with topics on our cars, but the big block engine swap stuff, for example, is different between our J bodies and the B bodies because our J bodies have the transverse torsion bar front end, and the B bodies have the regular, longitudinal torsion bar setup. I don't know what implications this has for the steering and suspension clearances on the B bodies, and I think that this should be pretty straightforward, as the B bodies did come with big blocks until 1978. The rest is more of a request for information, and opinions. Thanks for your tolerance, and if the mods want to delete the thread, I understand.
Kostas
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