Thread: Whats the best type donor car?????

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I am begining a 41 dodge sedan street rod project, and I was told that I needed to start lookin for a donar car. I was told a camero would be best, but I was wondering what year I should be lookin for. I plan on swaping the front clips, to handle the added weight and performance of a small block, and I wanted to use the updated rear end.

Also, if I had a mid 80's S-10 readily available, would that work?

Thanks for helping a new guy out!!!

Dont really know the frame layout of your Dodge, but it really depends what you want to do with it. I am taking it that you want to go with a GM drivetrain. In that case, the Camaros that you are looking for is a 74-81. They will have the disk brakes, rear end and v8 that you are looking for. Other possibilities are the "G" body GMs, which are the 78-87 Malibus, Monte Carlos etc. On them, you would cut the frame of and graft it to yours. Generally, doing it this way is cheaper than a Mustang 11 type of front suspension. However, if you have to rebuild all the components, it can cost just as much.

Another advantage of the M11 systems is the rack and pinion steering.

Like I said....depends what you want to do....and what will fit your Dodge the best.

I'm a big fan of donor cars. There is no other way to get all of the pieces you will get and at usually a big savings. Even if a person were to spend $ 1000.00 for a running, driving donor, you are still way ahead. A good running engine and transmission will sometimes set you back that much, and by the time you add in all the other stuff like front clip, rear axle, etc, you would have more in it if you did it piece by piece.

Another advantage is that you get to see how the donor runs first. I still like to replace stuff like the oil pump, water pump, valve cover gaskets, hoses, and do a tune up before sliding it in, because is is sure easier to do with the engine sitting on the garage floor.

Don

On the front tires, measure from the center of the tread on one to the center of the tread on the other. That is the front track. Now, measure the s10 and the Camaro. I'm thinking the Camaro is too wide and the S10 is just a little narrow. Thing is, you could widen the track with aftermarket wheels on the S10 clip. Narrowing the Camaro would be more difficult.

Thanks for the reply's. Sounds like a camero is the best way to go. Especially if I can find one that runs.

I bought a 73 Nova 4 door not long ago for $195. It had a 350/350 in it used the front clip- rear end- engine and trans I sold for $350,sold parts off it to a kid and junked it. Made out good.

Being that it is a Dodge Check- out a Dakota

camAro...sorry it's a pet peeve of mine