Nick Gavriles operates Automotive Innovations in Wixom, Michigan. With a background in working on the Firehawk Series that Paul Rossi successfully raced in the early '90s as well as Mustang projects for Jack Roush, he has recently set out on his own, focusing on PT Cruiser upgrades and accessories. Since Nick is also building cars for the show circuit, a customer named Allen Langford ordered the ultimate PT, one with a crate motor Hemi under the bonnet. Nick decided that not only would he build such a beast, but he would also experiment with some prototyping to see if he could actually custom-build "Hemi-Cruisers" on a limited-production scale. In fact, he had no less than three examples in progress when we traveled to Michigan to get a firsthand look at them, including one which was slated to receive a Viper V10.
Obviously, this isn't your average backyard engine swap. Nick and artisan Chuck Hardey were in the process of welding up a solid rectangular tube frame for the car, one that could withstand the immense amount of power generated by Hemi motivation. A complete Viper independent rear suspension was being retrofitted to the back end of the modified PT, which is actually a customized panel van that first appeared at last year's SEMA show. The wide engine has been installed in a custom cradle that occupies the space that once held the factory four. Amazingly, neither the front end was lengthened nor the front seats moved back to any great degree, though the firewall has been relocated. Mopar Muscle Publisher Jerry Pitt saw the car while in Detroit for the Hot Rod Power Tour, and we made plans to see the car as soon as it could be photographed.
While Chrysler's new PT Cruiser has proven to be quite popular to the buying public, most owners and people in the know will tell you that the little retro-sedan is somewhat underpowered when occupied by more than two adults. Built on the Neon platform, the PT Cruiser is presently built with only a four-cylinder for power, though supercharging is rumored as a future addition to the powertrain. In the meantime, leave it to the hot-rod crowd to decide that there may indeed be a better way to cruise the miles away.
Not completely finished yet, Nick showed us some of the high points of what has been accomplished so far to build the Hemi-Cruiser. Once running, we hope to take it for a spin down Woodward Avenue and see how the locals react. Once thing is certain, the Hemi-Cruiser won't have any problems with a full payload. Maybe Fort Knox could use one to haul around gold bars!
After mocking up the car for...
After mocking up the car for our photographs, here are Nick and Chuck in the industrial park that houses the Hemi-Cruiser operations. If you want to see this car in person, there's a good chance this machine will make an appearance at the Mopar Nationals this year.
Under the hood and set back...
Under the hood and set back into the firewall area is one Mopar Performance crate 426 Hemi. Upgrades are minimal, including only a Holley fuel-injection outfit sending go-juice directly into the manifold ports and a set of custom headers that, in turn, route the exhaust through a set of high-flow mufflers mounted up in the steel framework. Automotive Innovations is also marketing decorative sidepipes for the PT, and the 3-inch exhaust will end in these just ahead of the rear tires.
Another look in the front...
Another look in the front shows the changes made to the front suspension of the PT Cruiser so the engine will fit. The motor mounts shown here have been tack-welded for proper engine placement; full gusseting and fillets will be added. Oil pan clearance required major cutting to the factory engine support, while steering components have been moved forward and the front spindles reversed and customized. Wilwood brakes provide the needed stopping power for the upgrades.
Here's where the horsepower...
Here's where the horsepower goes once it hits the crank. This highly modified A618 Chrysler diesel truck transmission, complete with overdrive and a 3,000-stall torque converter, was fitted onto the engine using a custom bellhousing and should be able to take whatever the 426-inch mill dishes out. SMR performed all the work on the transmission, which Nick says has more than 100 modifications to it for the Hemi environment.
Another picture from the rear...
Another picture from the rear shows the crossbracing that supports the rearend. The Viper's aluminum housing was cut apart, shortened, and welded back together due to the narrower track of the PT Cruiser.
One of the most serious changes...
One of the most serious changes was customizing the factory Viper rearend and adaptation of that machine's independent rear suspension. All-new custom positioning brackets were fit and welded to the rectangular frame, and the transfer of power through the twin rear axles will result in tire-blazing action. While not well known to those of us weaned on 8 3/4 and Dana differentials, this IRS setup has been a part of the big-horsepower Viper since its debut.
As seen here, immense strength...
As seen here, immense strength has been built into the frame to support the heavy driveline and withstand any body-twisting torque that goes through it.
Shocks and struts are also...
Shocks and struts are also upgraded, using pieces that Automotive Innovations has been developing in conjunction with The Air Lift Company. Air Lift makes complete air-control ride systems, replacing the standard springs found on most of the current-era cars. Automotive Innovations retrofits OEM PT front struts with Air Lift pieces as well, doing the modifications in-house.