Fast Facts
'66 Dodge Charger
Owned by Daniel Daigneault, St. Cloud, Florida
Mopar Power
- Engine: The 528ci Hemi uses a new Mopar Performance Mega Block. Bore was increased to 4.50-inches and filled with Mopar Performance 10.25:1 compression pistons. Mopar connecting rods and a 4.15-inch stroke crankshaft complete the bottom end. A custom Comp Cams camshaft was ground to .534/.517-inch lift and 244/244-degrees of duration. Mopar Performance aluminum Hemi heads sit on top and the engine runs on a Mopar Electric Ignition system. The exhaust comes from tti and has been ceramic coated. The headers utilize 2½-inch primary tubes that combine at a 3½-inch collector and flow into a 3-inch stainless steel exhaust system with Dynomax mufflers.
- Transmission: The automatic transmission was replaced with a Keisler Engineering five-speed manual with a dual disc Ram clutch. The floor board had to be slightly modified to fit the new transmission, and a preproduction '70 pistol grip Hurst shifts gears.
Sure Grip
- Suspension and Brakes: Suspension performance has been taken up a notch thanks to KYB Gas-A-Just shocks at all corners. A Just Suspension front suspension kit improves front stability while a Firm Feel Torsion bar and sway bar kit add control. In the rear, Mopar Performance XHD leaf springs, Competition Engineering Slide-A-Links, and a Firm Feel sway bar tighten things up. A Stage II Firm Feel power steering kit provides smooth steering while Wilwoon Dynalite Pro Series front and rear disc brakes slow down the 3,900-pound B-Body. The 8¾-inch rearend houses a Detroit Locker Truetrac with 3.91 gears and stock axles.
- Wheels: A massive set of custom Budnick Groove wheels measuring 18x8-inch fronts and 18x10-inch rears fill the wheelwells and provide intense grip. Toyo T1-R tires are fitted to the deep-dish wheels and offer modern wet and dry performance.
High Impact
- Paint and Body: The body was in good shape when Daniel took ownership, but it was sent out to Classic Coach Works in Mount Dora, Florida. There, Patrick Dupuis assessed the bodywork and applied the BBQ1 Black paint to the factory Chrysler body. The only modification was the addition of a small, aluminum NASCAR lip spoiler.
- Interior: Daniel tackled the metallic red interior on his own. Legendary Interiors parts and seats covers were used while an A1 Carpets replacement kit covers the floors. This is a radio delete car but it now benefits from a Classic Auto Air AC system--plumbing was recently completed. The steering wheel is original.