Dodge's '70 E-Body could be dressed with a variety of diverse packages: SE, R/T, T/A, and-now expected in 2008-the SRT-8. XV Motorsports in Irvington, New York, has made it their mission to convert their shop into the end-all facility for classic Mopar modernization. their web site states, "Our prospect is simple: take the hottest classic Mopar musclecars and apply the finest state-of-the-art engineering and technology. The result? A modern supercar with head-turning style, mind-bending performance, corner-carving handling, reliability, and modern creature comforts. Cars that can be used as a reliable daily driver, run competitively in open track events, or trounce on many of today's most exotic performance cars."
But it's not all high-tech suspension components, monster braking systems, or computer-blueprinted, heavily engineered new-generation Hemi conversions. Much of XV Motorsports resources are applied to building "highly select, original, and unmodified musclecars" that appeal to the private collector or long-time enthusiasts wanting to recapture a little bit of their youth. As the company pursues the "raw materials" to build their tailored, high-tech Mopars, it comes across many rare and collectible musclecars, including some unmolested "survivors." As such cars grow increasingly scarcer, the preservation and restoration of these vehicles helps to retain the hobby's true roots, but it's the development of the brand's own variation on the supercar that draws the younger generation's attention.
Targeting the two most readily accessible platforms-the '68-'70 B-Body and the '70-'74 E-Body-XV is revolutionizing the performance and modification market. With nearly everything needed to complete a project Mopar available for a fee and given the influx of aftermarket suppliers, restoring one of these vehicles has become nearly pain free. But the metamorphosis of one of these machines from a stocker to a course carver is a totally different venture.
The second most potent plant...
The second most potent plant available from the company, this number one production supercar is stocked with XV's modified 5.7L Hemi pushing out 440 horses. This is thanks in part to custom-forged pistons, ARP bolts, a single-plane intake, a four-barrel throttle body, trick exhaust, and a custom-ground camshaft. You can have a 5.7L or a SRT-style 6.1L, which when fully outfitted can make 600 hp!
XV had to start from the ground floor and work its way up when it came to producing replacement suspension and driveline components that would not only pass computer simulations and road testing, but also have the capibility to be installed by the motivated do-it-yourselfer. This sent the designers and engineers at XV to the drawing boards. Wanting to make 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi swaps as accessible as possible, XV started by reconfiguring the factory K-frame, which in turn led to the redesign of the factory suspension structuring. Boxed upper and lower A-arms, adjustable coilover shocks, a personally crafted antisway bar, rack-and-pinion steering, aluminum spindles and K-frame compose the front package made for both the B- and E-Body applications. The rears would get the same attention with a three-link, coilover shocks, rear sway bar, and heavy-duty leaves.
Available as separate packages or as a complete set, the suspension package would be incomplete without XV's chassis stiffening equipment, including laser-cut subframe connectors, lower radiator supports, framerail connectors, and a precision inner-fender shock tower brace.
The three-link rear suspension...
The three-link rear suspension is totally custom and engineered in-house at XV Motorsport's shop in New York. billet aluminum lower links and adjustable upper link, adjustable coilover shock absorbers, and a custom rear antiroll bar keeps the rear meats planted.
What is found between the shock towers distinguishes the XV brand from the rest of the custom builders. XV not only mastered the installation of the next-gen Hemi, but also the tuning of said powerplant. The shop learned how to eke out the most power and reliability available from the 5.7L, leaving them with three different variations of the cross-platform engine. With a beginning choice of a 360, 440, or 485hp 5.7, a potential buyer can also pick from a 525- or 600-horse 6.1L.
XV's engines are fitted with custom-crafted forged pistons, ARP hardware, and custom-ground camshafts, as well as in-house ported single-plane intake manifolds and four-barrel throttle bodies. the quintuplet of available transmissions seals the powertrain package for most interested buyers. two takes on the T-56 six-speed (one standard, the other up to Viper specifications), a TKO 600 six-speed, a bulletproof 727 TorqueFlite, or a four-speed computer-controlled automatic with pushbutton overdrive give XV's clients 50 different combinations (five engines, five transmissions, and two different suspension packages). Wanting to offer their equipment either as separate, individual components or as complete package vehicles, XV decided it was time to build a car to showcase their capabilities.
The T/A hood helps to give...
The T/A hood helps to give the XV supercar a little hint of its nostalgic Trans Am racing history.
Stamped XV001 and coated in visible-from-space XV Orange, the car is stripped of any cluttering badging except for the simple "XV" tags in the grille, on the steering wheel, gauges, and license plate. A blacked-out T/A hood and matching deck spoiler hint at the Challenger's Trans Am history, while the rest of the car screams 21st century. Built in-house, the number one XV Challenger rides on the Level II suspension package, offering more superior road handling attributes than the lower tier. Inside the cabin, the Recaro seats are wrapped in custom black leather, as are the dash, door panels, kick panels, rear quarter-panels, A-pillar trim, and steering wheel. air conditioning, power windows, a pair of three-point seat belts, custom instruments featuring a 200-mph speedometer, and an Alpine sound system top off the list of creature comforts.
The car had been making appearances at shows and events, but is now up for sale. Of course, if you'd like one but in TorRed, XV will be happy to build one for you.
Many of the road course photos were taken at Mosport International Raceway, a facility that is the perfect place to demonstrate the car's aptitude at taking turns and banks while eating up the straight-aways.
If you would like to own what could be considered the definitive modernized musclecar, XV is happily taking orders for their custom-built machines and equipment.
The blue and red LED lights...
The blue and red LED lights on the custom silver-face gauges are only a small portion of the trick interior. Black leather abounds in this E-Body, covering the seats, door panels, kick panels, quarter-window panels, center console, steering wheel, and dash.
XV Motorsports, Irvington, NY
Mopar Power
Engine: The second of three packages, the XV 440hp 5.7 Hemi includes a custom-tuned electronic engine management system, electronic fuel injection, distributor-less ignition with closed loop tuning, single-plane intake manifold, billet aluminum, four-barrel EFI throttle body, custom grind camshaft, extended rpm valvespring package, main stud and head stud kit, aluminum oil pan, fully balanced and blueprinted, a custom aluminum radiator and shroud with an electric fan, a Level II exhaust package, equal length stainless steel headers, 211/42-inch stainless duals with H-Pipe and polished tips. A custom fuel tank with stainless feed and return hard lines, braided fuel lines with AN fittings, billet fuelrails, adjustable pressure regulator, a high flowing EFI fuel filter, and a rollover/impact fuel-pump safety cutoff switch finish it off.
Transmission: of the five transmissions available, this one has XV's five-speed package with a Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission with a heavy-duty clutch and hydraulic throw-out bearing.
The all-aluminum K-frame was...
The all-aluminum K-frame was engineered to house the new-generation Hemi, as well as provide a sturdy platform for the newly restructured suspension system.
The heavy-duty 831/44 rear was black powdercoated, then fitted with a nodular iron center section with billet adjusters and an upgraded Sure Grip limited-slip differential with a heavy-duty clutch package and 3.91 performance gears, alloy axles with heavy-duty bearings, and alloy wheel studs.
Horsepower & Performance:
This is the second of five engines, boasting 440 horses at the flywheel. XV didn't provide us with any quarter-mile times or lateral g readings, but with all this equipment, it's sure to upset the local Corvette guy and the occasional Viper.
Sure Grip
Suspension:
Built with the XV Level II suspension package, the front suspension sports SLA double A-arms (aluminum upper and lower A-arms), aluminum spindles, an aluminum K-member, adjustable coilover shock absorbers, a custom front antiroll bar, variable-rate power-steering rack with heavy-duty mounts, and an adjustable bumpsteer kit. The rear suspension is just as trick with a three-link rear setup with billet aluminum lower links and adjustable upper link, adjustable panhard bar assembly, adjustable coilover shock absorbers, and a custom rear antiroll bar.
Brakes:
The Level II brake package includes six-piston front calipers with 14-inch rotors, two-piston rear calipers with 13-inch rotors, two-piece vented rotors with billet hats, a Hydroboost power-brake booster, stainless hard lines, braided stainless brake hoses, a high-performance brake pad package, and high-temp brake fluid.
Wheels:
Rolling on Kinesis five-spoke polished black anodized wheels, sized 18x911/42 in front and 18x10 in back.
Tires:
Ultra-high-performance wet or dry tires, sizing in at 275/35-18 and 295/35-18. the rubber is Y rated to 186 mph.
High Impact
Body:
It's strengthened by an engine compartment brace, laser-cut subframe connectors, a lower radiator support, and a framerail connector with an inner-fender shock tower brace. A functional T/A hood with a matching air cleaner pan and T/A decklid spoiler give the Challenger a vintage look.
Paint:
Painted by XV in their own custom hue-XV Orange. It also has all-new tinted glass, and all the trim replaced or fully restored.
Interior:
Inside, the seating is custom leather-upholstered Recaro seats with the driver-side power adjustable and heated. The passenger side is manual with an adjustable custom leather rear bench. Real wool carpeting, a custom Ultrasuede headliner, custom embroidered floor mats, leather-wrapped dash pad with their logo, and a leather-wrapped billet steering wheel with logo are all part of the package. The instrument cluster is trick with a 200-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, water temp, oil pressure, fuel, and volt gauges. Leather-wrapped door panels, console, dash pad, rear side panels, pillars, and kick panels with Dynamat sound deadener throughout interior makes the all-black cabin 100-percent unique to the car. As far as entertainment, an Alpine head unit with an iPod interface, Alpine speakers front and rear, subwoofers, amplifiers, power antenna, and heavy-duty wiring ensure crystal clear sounds. Climate control air conditioning, a heated front window, rear defroster, and a fully finished trunk are finished with XV's Convenience Package that includes power door locks, windows, and keyless entry with a remote trunk release.