This 1987 Dodge Charger is an attractive sleeper, with subdued exterior looks hiding a thundering Chrysler 360 V8 engine under the hood. The conversion looks very well done, with the upgraded V8 paired to a 518 automatic with overdrive. I could do without the aftermarket rims – just add the slicers from a Shelby – but otherwise, this hot-rodded Charger here on eBay is one that lives up to its bold name.
There are just 44,000 miles on the body of this Charger, which explains the excellent cosmetic condition. The body appears to be very straight, and the seller makes no mention of a repaint. Rear window louvers are a typical period accessory, but the look good here. The seller also notes that the tail lights are replacement models.
The bordeaux red interior was fairly typical for the era, with lots of hard plastic everywhere. The interior is clean, however, with no indication that Charger was someone’s half-finished project. The automatic may not thrill everyone, but it’s likely a good match for this engine. Beyond the looks, it’s clear that the seller has spent a good amount of time and money making sure this Charger performs as it should.
New parts include tires, a battery, an aftermarket exhaust, and Pioneer stereo. The engine swap looks pleasingly stock, and whoever did the conversion did an incredibly tidy job. Any engine swap that looks factory will get plenty of respect from me, and this conversion finally gives the Charger some much-needed street cred in the horsepower department. The seller is asking $10,995 or best offer.
What?! Must be more than just an engine swap.
Love to see how he managed to get a driveshaft & rear differential squeezed under such s stock looking car.
Some people’s ingenuity & talent amaze me.
Mopar had a kit that you could get through direct connection in the early 90’s it consisted of everything needed to convert these ap body cars to rear wheel drive v8 powered cars. The kits did not last long in the store and not many were made. I was told that they were made so that mopar could race their rwd v8 daytona in a factory class but that is all I have been told. A few years back a ran into a guy selling these kits, he had a 92 daytona that had a 5.9 magnum engine and then he swapped in a 5.7 hemi. I bought one of his kits and converted a dodge shadow es convertible to a rwd 440 magnum/727 car. It was a wheel stander and only lasted a summer of abuse before it was so twisted that on level ground, the passenger side front wheel would stay about 3 inches off the ground. I believe that you can still get these kits from a guy named Kenny Exline and exline motorsports in Pennsylvania.
I agree. Great looking conversion.This would have been the Muskrat killer here. Always liked the lines of these bodies. And why Dodge never attempted this is a shame.
Maybe because it would handle like a logging truck on a curvy mountain road. Maybe because these got 40MPG in stock form on the HWY, and this gets, what, 10? Maybe because even a munchkin couldn’t get his hands near that engine to service it because of the tight fit. Ferrari owners have no problem paying the dealership to drop the engine for a tune up, but do you think Dodge owners would? And, lets not forget, THIS engine isn’t going to pass the SMOG test anywhere in the world, Chrysler had to. Gee, kind of grumpy this morning, maybe I should go back to bed.
Grumpy, or not, you’re right.
YEAHHHH!! It won’t pass smog thusly ruining the planet with what little the car will be driven as compared to the diesel pickups around here that have their injector pumps cranked up. Or better yet, the ‘farmers’ around here that burn brush piles by using diesel and old tires to fuel the flames. Why, just firing up one of my Hemis shortens my life exponentially. Let alone the 2 stroke MXers the g-kids race.
Hopefully, our later model vehicles will make up the defecit.
Dick, you’re right, also.
Yeah Glen, I hate being ‘right.’ There’s a plastics company in a small nearby town that burns off tons of plastic waste. You can see the black smoke plume from the air for 30 miles down wind.
But boy-oh-buddy don’t let the EPA know that we drive more than 50 miles per year in our TC. MGs didn’t have cats back then, of course. I should put all of our fun stuff into an LLC and call it a manufacturing plant. Lots of exemptions there.
It Could Have Passed Emissions, Come On Chevy And Ford Did It. (Camaro /Mustang ) Handling I really can’t say but The AC Cobra went on to be the Ford Cobra with a Heavy V-8 within a light body so I don’t agree. Some more rest will work wonders for some rational comparison thinking.
-Sarge
it’s an 87 Chyrco stopped prod of the LA 360 in 93 it also could be a 5.9 magnum as he says 360 ci not it’s a 360 so? NJ has no cutoff for testing so that would need to be considered for local buyers which is maybe why he is baying it. 11Gs might be wishful thinking.
The 360 wouldn’t pass smog, huh??? And why exactly is that? I mean, you’re aware that the 360… otherwise known as the Dodge 5.9 Magnum… continued to be sold by the millions, in Dodge trucks, up until 2003, right? In the future you should refrain from speaking out on subjects like this. You only make yourself look ignorant. And you should definitely go back to bed. Maybe get a clue while you’re at it.
@Perry It won’t pass smog because it is an illegal engine exchange.
This car never came with a 360 V8 and even if it passes the emission test it will fail on equipment test.
@STM said the LA 360 was different from the 5.9L Magnum, just as you said so why did you accuse him of ignorance?
Your Comment says more about you than the other poster.
Love it. Don’t like the rims much but really like the tidy conversion. Wish I had details of the engineering involved.
Tidy work but I can’t even imagine how that front heavy car must drive when you take it the slightest angle off a straight line. Definitely local car show worthy though
Nice clean engine swap. Too bad that one 14 inch tire will go up in smoke the second that you put your foot to the floor.
Most cars had 14″ with much more powerful engines and bias ply tires but for sure with a light rear end and the torque of the 360 it would light.
Nice. A lot of work on such an ugly car though…
Wondered if anyone had ever done that with one of these cars. The 360 looks right at home there, straight line terror if traction can be found (maintained?)
Iaccoca was looking for future racing options when these were designed…back in the day you could get EVERYTHING needed for this swap through “Direct Connection”. If you watch “Black Moon Rising”, you will see the smoke coming from the back tires of the Charger that Tommy Lee Jones drives when he is chasing a young car thief played by Linda Hamilton.
The only way that you are going to find traction with this car is to install rear wheel tubs, a narrowed rear axle and a posi traction rear end.
If I remember correctly Direct Connection made a kit to install the small block in these things. Anyone else remember this?
Yes. Came here to reply just that. The engine swap looks factory because it *is* essentially factory. You’re not crazy – the DC kit did actually exist, and was sold over-the-counter at your friendly, neighborhood Dodge or Plymouth dealer.
Would have been a better conversion to the Shelby Charger version of this car. Just a better looking car with a nicer interior and wheels.
John, I was thinking the same thing. Turbo version of course. Then you could tell everyone you really cranked up the boost.
Yeah, the Shelby Turbo. All 150-hp of it. Or maybe that’s overestimating? This was a turd of a car regardless what powered it. The 360 is a huge upgrade, but it’s still bolted to a pathetic shell. And to salt the wound, it’s an automatic. No one is impressing anyone in this car.
Gives a whole new meaning to “Get me to the church on time!”. My grandma in her sleeper Dodge smokin’ her tires to do just that. Only driven on Sundays if it was not raining. She would have loved this ride!
If you think that it would handle like a pig, take notice of how far back the engine is in relationship to the strut towers which pretty much identify the center line of the front wheels hence, it’s less nose heavy than pretty much every iteration of an Audi. And if anyone is concerned about the fuel mileage I’d suggest a Camry or Civic as a daily driver instead of this.
I wonder at what temperature that engine runs.
Gotta be a gag, the ingenuity award goes to the geek that photoshopped this ad
Taillamps are from a PlymouthTurismo. Nice work.
Gagagarage, the 1987 Charger used these exact same lights.
I sold my 85 Dodge Charger 2.2 to a fellow racer around the time I joined the Navy. He stuffed a 440 – full cage, tubs, etc. He kept the factory graphics but redubbed it “Charger 7.2”. I recall him telling me it ran 9s with a fairly mild engine transferred from an 11-second B-body.
Nice one, Jeff! We had an ’87 Charger back in the day. Worst steering wheel ever, and the hatch with louvers combined with weak struts would about take your head off. However I love the stock appearance on this one. I’ve never seen a V8 swap in one of these. Sweet!
agree completely on the steering wheel. best friend had one, silver & blue outside, all blue inside. giant dish plastic shiny blue slippery steering wheel staring driver in the face. disgusting
Looks like a Mitsubishi Galant with a big nose piece stuck on the front. Was that really a “Dodge” or a captive import?
I know I’m late to the post but it’s been re-listed for $10,800. Found this write up from 5 years ago. Asking then was $4,800. Can’t see the appreciation double if any at all. I kinda like it but if he drove it only 1000 miles in 5 years then it’s probably not that fun to drive.
https://jalopnik.com/for-4-800-omni-nom-nom-nom-1200972700