In the November 2007 issue of Car and Driver magazine, they compared the performance of a 1970 340 Six Pack Challenger T/A ($86,000) to a 1970 Challenger that was restored/modified by XV Motosports for $176,000, with a 5.7L Hemi (443 hp), 5-speed manual, reworked suspension, Mustang rack and pinion power steering, StopTech vented disc brakes, C5 Corvette knuckles and lower control arms, low profile tires, aluminum trailing arms, adjustable Panhard rod, coil springs, custom shocks, as well as structural enhancements.

The results? As expected the old Challenger got smoked in both acceleration and handling:

0-60 mph T/A= 7.1 sec. Restomod= 5.1 sec.
1/4 mile T/A= 15.4 @92 mph Restomod= 13.5 @107 sec.
Braking (70 mph to 0) T/A= 279 feet Restomod= 183 feet
Roadholding T/A= 0.68 Restomod= 0.90

But, is it really worth paying an extra $90,000 to get a 1970 Challenger to perform like a modern sports car? I'd rather buy a 6.1L Challenger SRT in 2009 and get the best of both worlds for around $40,000.

 

I would be honored to run that XV Challenger in my warmed over 340 Challenger and the times would be pretty close. But I can't stop and I can't turn as good as the XV. One more week and I won't see my Challenger for 8 to 10 months. And I'm with you on the 2009 Challenger being a better deal than the XV and some change for the gas I plan on using

 

Pricing the T/A at $86,000 is somewhat misleading - that's collector value. The original sticker was around $3500. You'd have to adjust that for inflation. For $176,000, I'd hope it performed at least that well. Buy my opinion is that I don't see any point to going the XV upgrade route. If you want a new car, buy a new car.

Mike

 

I couldn't justify spending that amount of money on the XV challenger. They did a spectular job on it, but I don't think it quite worth that much, obviously that's my opinion.

With that being said, I would love to have that suspension set up for my car. I was doing some research a couple of months ago on all of the different suspension upgrades for the challenger. I think you could buy that exact same setup (XV level 2) front and rear for like 10K. That was way out of my price range

 

I hear you, but its nice to have options. And that is something we never had before. The attention on our E-bodies has given us alot of new products that are upgrades in engine, transmission, braking, and original equipment replacement. I drive my Challenger and will as long as I own it. Its an original 318 car. Nothing special to anyone else. But with upgrades I can improve on the performance of said components. But if you have an original R/T or T/A or SE and Rallye, then you should stop and think about it before you procede. Its a personal choice and I see it as just that. I will improve on my 71 until the day I cannot drive it any longer. I leave the body and wheels looking stock. So that when I show a brand X my tail lights, they see in real life what they thought in their heads the whole time. The car lives up to its legend.

 

Why not run a Hemi car completely stock vs. that 176,000 dollar car and see the results.

 

If you look at these numbers there is no way I would spend that kind of money to get that small of a gain to have a restomod done to a Challenger.

I would just as soon get a new Challenger and put in new high performance parts to get to these numbers.

You really have to want an original to pay this much, but not me.

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