Challenger Challenges

(ANNOUNCER)>> TODAY ON DETROIT MUSCLE WE'RE GONNA BREAK IT DOWN TO THE BASICS AS WE SHOW YOU HOW

TO DO A GRILL RESCUE ON A 45 YEAR OLD MOPAR. THEN WE'LL DO SOME SOUND DEADENING ALONG WITH FINALLY REVEALING ALL OF ULTRA VIOLET'S BLING.

(JOE)>> AFTER LOADS OF METAL WORK AND A GMACHINE CHASSIS, OUR 550 HORSEPOWER HEMI CHALLENGER PROJECT ULTRA VIOLET IS WEARING ITS AWESOME NEW

CAROLINA VIOLET PAINT THAT GOT SPRAYED ON AT RYAN'S ROD AND CUSTOM.

(TOMMY)>> THEN WE GOT OUR ALUMINUM HEMI AND SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION DROPPED BACK INTO OUR OLD DODGE. NOW IT'S TIME TO BE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PIECES THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO REINSTALL ONTO IT.

(JOE)>> YEAH WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT WITH GOODIES LIKE THE GRILL BACK IN PLACE, BUMPERS, MAYBE SOME BADGES, AND EVEN WHEELS & TIRES.

(TOMMY)>> BUT WE CAN'T GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES. SOME OF THESE PIECES NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE LOVE

BEFORE THEY CAN BE INSTALLED ON THE CAR. CASE IN POINT THIS GRILL. WE'VE GOT TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF REPAIR WORK. NOW THERE ARE COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT OFFER A BRAND NEW GRILL FOR A '70 CHALLENGER, BUT REPAIRING OURS, THAT'S GONNA SAVE US A BOATLOAD OF CASH.

THE MAIN PROBLEM WE HAVE ON THIS ONE, SOMEONE UPGRADED TO ONE OF THOSE FOG LIGHTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY. NOW WE'VE GOT A BIG HOLE WE'VE GOTTA FIX. AND THESE BOLTS ARE METRIC, ON A '70 CHALLENGER? [ air ratchet spinning ]

(TOMMY)>> NOW THIS OLD GRILL, IT'S MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND THIS HOLE COULD BE WELDED UP. BUT A LOT OF YOU GUYS PROBABLY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A TIG WELDER OR ONE JUST SHOVED OFF INTO THE CORNER. SO I'M GONNA SHOW YOU A WAY TO MAKE THE REPAIR

THAT'S STRONG AND DURABLE. SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS USE SOME OF THIS METAL BONDING ADHESIVE AND ONE OF THESE

SMALL ALUMINUM DISCS. PUT SOME OF THE GOOP ON IT AND THEN GLUE IT TO THE BOTTOM SIDE. THEN COME BACK AND FILL OVER TOP OF IT.

(JOE)>> THE SURFACE WHERE WE'LL BE PLANTING THE ADHESIVE HAS TO FIRST BE PREPARED WITH A GRINDER TO GIVE THE ADHESIVE SOME GOOD MECHANICAL

TOOTH TO GRAB ONTO. THIS STUFF IS FOR PANEL BONDING, WHICH MEANS THAT IT'S A SLOW CURING VARIETY. BUT BECAUSE OF THAT WE CAN COUNT ON IT HAVING A LOT OF STRENGTH.

(TOMMY)>> WE'LL PLACE OUR PATCH PANEL OVER THE HOLE. THEN WORK IT AROUND A LITTLE BIT TO GET IT TO LATCH ONTO THE SURFACE REALLY WELL.

CLEAN UP ANY EXTRA ADHESIVE AROUND THE PANEL. THEN ON THE TOP SIDE WE WANT TO GET RID OF ANY EXCESS THAT'S STICKING OUT OF THE HOLE.

WELL WE'VE LET OUR EPOXY CURE FOR A BIT AND WE NEED

TO GO BACK IN AND GRIND OUT THE EXCESS WITH THIS LITTLE CARBIDE BIT.

NOW YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE EPOXY ITSELF AS THE FILLER BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT STUFF WILL SHRINK AND IT WILL CREATE A DIVOT, AND YOUR REPAIR WILL SHOW BACK UP. [ grinder spinning ]

(JOE)>> ONCE THE BULK OF IT IS GROUND OUT, SWITCH TO A SQUARE EDGED DISC, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO CREATE A 90 DEGREE ANGLE AGAINST THE PATCH PANEL. THEN WE'LL USE A GRINDER TO PREP THE SURFACE FOR SOME BODY WORK.

(TOMMY)>> WITH THAT TAKEN CARE OF THE NEXT THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS DISASSEMBLE THIS GRILL. BUT BEFORE I GET TOO CARRIED AWAY I'M GONNA TAKE A COUPLE OF PHOTOS. THAT WAY I KNOW HOW THIS THING GOES BACK TOGETHER.

NOW IT'S JUST AS SIMPLE AS DRILLING OUT SOME RIVETS.

THIS THING MAY LOOK PRETTY SIMPLE, BUT ONCE IT'S TORN APART IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU THINK IT IS. EACH PIECE SERVES A PURPOSE, SO DON'T LOSE THEM.

(JOE)>> WE'LL TURN THE PRESSURE WAY DOWN ON OUR BLASTING CABINET AND GET TO WORK CLEANING UP THE SURFACE. THIS SOFT ALUMINUM DOESN'T REQUIRE A TON OF PRESSURE TO GET IT DEBRIS FREE.

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, WE'RE READY TO START THE BODY WORK PROCESS, OR APPLYING SOME FILLER. NOW ONE THING YOU WANT TO KEEP IN MIND IS CHOOSE THE CORRECT FILLER FOR THE APPLICATION. MEANING WITH US, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT ADHERED TO ALUMINUM, AND WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR THAT TO CURE, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO BEND ANY OF THESE FINS BACK INTO PLACE WITH SOME PLIERS AND GENTLE PRESSURE. THEN THE SANDING CAN START, YIPPEE!

(JOE)>> AS USUAL, DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU WIND UP

USING SEVERAL COATS OF FILLER TO GET THE JOB DONE. BUT IT WILL PAY OFF WITH A GREAT LOOKING PART.

NEXT UP IS SOME EPOXY SEALER PRIMER, WHICH WILL GET SPRAYED ONTO THE ENTIRETY OF THE GRILL PIECES.

AFTER THAT YOU CAN SPOT PRIME THE REPAIRED BITS

WITH SOME FILLER/PRIMER. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, WELL WE'LL SHOW YOU.

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, WE'VE GOT OUR PRIMER SPRAYED ON AND I NOTICE WE HAVE A FEW SMALL IMPERFECTIONS THAT NEED A LITTLE BIT OF PUTTY. IT'S NO BIG DEAL, THAT'S WHAT THAT STUFF'S FOR. THEN WE CAN SAND THIS THING AND BE READY FOR SOME COLOR. SOME DUPLICOLOR GUIDE COAT WILL HELP US FINISH UP THE BODY WORK ON THIS THING. THEN WE'LL GRAB A BUCKET, BLOCK, AND SOME 500 GRIT TO WET SAND IT DOWN TO ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.

(JOE)>> THEN ANOTHER PASS WITH THAT SEALER/PRIMER WILL GIVE US A UNIFORM COAT TO KEEP THE PAINT LOOKING GOOD.

(ANNOUNCER)>> STILL AHEAD WE FINISH THE GRILL REBUILD AND THEN GET TO WORK PUTTING THE SHINY BITS BACK ON THE CHALLENGER, STICK AROUND.

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, OUR SEALER'S ALL FLASHED OFF AND WERE READY TO SPRAY ON OUR FIRST COAT OF PAINT. WHAT WE'RE GONNA START WITH IS KIND OF A PLATINUM SILVER CAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THAT ANODIZED ALUMINUM THAT THIS GRILL CAME WITH

FROM THE FACTORY.

(JOE)>> IT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHEN SPRAYING HIGH METALLIC COLORS LIKE THIS TO HAVE A NICE UNIFORM COAT UNDERNEATH TO PREVENT THE PAINT FROM LOOKING STRIPY OR SPLOTCHY. THAT'S WHY WE LAID DOWN THAT SEALER/PRIMER. NEXT UP WE'RE PLANNING ON TWO TONING THIS GRILL WITH A COLOR BREAK RIGHT ALONG THE SAME LINE AS WHAT THEY USED IN THE FACTORY.

(TOMMY)>> A LITTLE BIT OF MASKING IS ALL IT TAKES. THEN WE'LL BUST OUT A COAT OF ARTIC GRAY, WHICH IS A FACTORY MOPAR MEDIUM GRAY COLOR.

THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THIS AND THAT SPARKLY SILVER IS GONNA LOOK GOOD WHEN IT'S ALL DONE. WITH OUR TWO COLORS APPLIED WE NEED TO REMOVE THIS TAPE SO THAT WE CAN SPRAY ON SOME CLEAR.

(JOE)>> PULLING THE TAPE LOW AND AWAY FROM THE TAPE LINE HELPS KEEP THE UPPER MOST LAYER OF PAINT FROM LIFTING.

WE'RE GONNA USE A FLAT CLEAR COAT ON THIS PIECE, WHICH WILL LOOK GREAT ONCE IT'S MOUNTED ON THE FRONT OF THAT CHALLENGER.

(TOMMY)>> AFTER A FRESH COAT OF PAINT AND SOME ELBOW GREASE, THIS THING TURNED OUT PRETTY SWEET.

(JOE)>> YEAH, I'D SAY SO TOO. IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS ORIGINAL, MAYBE BETTER. YOU KNOW IT'S ALWAYS GREAT WHEN YOU'VE GOT THE TIME

AND TALENT TO RESTORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, BUT THERE ARE OTHER SITUATIONS TO DEAL WITH.

COME ON, LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING. WELL WE ALL KNOW HOW BUMPERS TAKE A BEATING, AND IF YOURS NEED A LOT OF METAL WORK TO GET THEM BACK INTO SHAPE YOU'RE PROBABLY BETTER OFF GOING THE REPLACEMENT ROUTE. THESE REPLACEMENTS COME FROM CLASSIC INDUSTRIES AND WELL THEY'RE MADE JUST LIKE THE ORIGINALS, DOWN TO THE THICKNESS OF THE METAL. AND TEST FITTED SO WE KNOW THAT THEY WORK. NOW WE'LL GET TO WORK INSTALLING OURS AFTER THAT GRILL GOES IN.

(TOMMY)>> WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT FOR QUITE A WHILE.

WE'RE GONNA GET TO SEE WHAT THIS BIG BAD MOPAR LOOKS LIKE WITH SOME OF ITS EYE CANDY ATTACHED.

(JOE)>> WE'VE SPRAYED THE HEADLIGHT BEZELS WITH THE SAME TWO TONE COLOR SCHEME AS THE GRILL. AND WE CAN ALSO SET THE SHAKER IN PLACE, ALONG WITH THE HOOD, TO GET A LOOK AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

(TOMMY)>> THIS IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO DO THE SAME THING TO THE BACK BUMPER AS WELL AS THE TAILLIGHTS. NOW THAT'S A NICE LOOKING REAR RIGHT THERE, TELL YOU WHAT!

(ANNOUNCER)>> AFTER THE BREAK IT'S TIME TO QUIET THIS MOPAR DOWN. WELL ONLY IN THE RIGHT WAYS ANYWAY.

(TOMMY)>> OKIEDOKE, WE'RE READY TO MOVE ON TO OUR

NEXT PROJECT ON ULTRA VIOLET. NOW WE'VE GOT MOST OF THE BIG SHINNIES BOLTED ON THIS THING BUT NOW OUR NEXT STEP IS GONNA BE PUTTING IN SOME SOUND AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL.

(JOE)>> WELL WE'VE SHOWN YOU SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT FROM USING A SPRAY TO A GOOD OLE JUTE MAT. WELL THIS TIME WE'RE TAKING A DIFFERENT ROUTE. YOU SEE DEI OFFERS A COMPLETE THERMAL ACOUSTIC KIT FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM INTERIORS AND ONE FOR FULL SIZE CARS. EACH KIT COMES WITH SOME OF THIS NEW LIGHTER BOOM MAT DAMPENING MATERIAL, A CAN OF BOOM MAT SPRAY ON FOR THOSE HARD TO REACH PLACES, AND THIS UNDER CARPET LIGHT THAT YOU USE WITH THE OTHER TWO. NOW IN CASE YOU'RE ASKING YOURSELF HOW'D I KNOW THAT STUFF REALLY WORKS? WELL I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL DRUMMER BUT I'M PLAYING ONE ON TV WITH TWO CYMBALS, SAME SIZE, SAME SOUND. NOW I'M GONNA PUT A SMALL PIECE OF BOOM MAT ON THIS CYMBAL. LET'S CHECK THE DIFFERENCE. [ cymbal chime Ñ YOU WON'T MAKE MUSIC WITH THIS CYMBAL BUT IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND DEADENING.

(TOMMY)>> NOW HERE'S A LITTLE TIP FOR YOU GUYS. THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE WILL JUST ABOUT STICK TO ANYTHING AS LONG AS IT'S CLEAN AND DUST FREE. NOW IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE IT, BUT WE WASHED THIS FLOOR WITH SOME HOT SOAPY WATER AND LET IT DRY. SO NOW WE'RE READY TO PUT THIS STUFF ON.

(JOE)>> BE SURE TO PUSH IT DOWN INTO THE CREVICES ON THE FLOOR BOARD TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECT. TYPICALLY A 35 TO 50 PERCENT COVERAGE OF A GIVEN AREA IS ADEQUATE TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EFFECT AND KEEP YOUR CAR NICE AND QUIET. WE'RE ALSO USING THIS HANDY ROLLER WE GOT FROM DEI TO HELP GET THE MAT LAID DOWN AS NICELY AS POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CUT OUT THE HOLES FOR THINGS LIKE MOUNTING SEATS WHILE YOU'RE AT IT.

(TOMMY)>> IT CAN ALSO BE A BIG HELP TO PUT SOME ON THE ROOF. A COUPLE OF SHEETS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN PREVENTING NOISE FROM THE TOP SIDE.

WITH OUR BOOM MAT LAID DOWN ON THE INSIDE, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH AREAS, LIKE THE INSIDE OF THIS DOOR. AND WE'RE GONNA USE THEIR SPRAY ON MATERIAL.

(JOE)>> A FEW OTHER GOOD PLACES TO USE THE SPRAY ON BOOM MAT ARE TRUNK INTERIORS, FENDER WELLS, QUARTER PANELS, AND UNDER THE PACKAGE TRAY. IT MAKES TAKING CARE OF THOSE AREAS A LOT EASIER. FINALLY WE CAN LAY DOWN THIS UNDER

CARPET LIGHT MATERIAL. IT COVERS THE BOOM MAT AND THE ENTIRE FLOOR, AND IT'S THE LAST THING TO GO IN BEFORE THE CARPETING. THERE IT IS, YOU READY TO DO SOME SLICING?

(TOMMY)>> SURE, WHY NOT? WE'RE GONNA MAKE SOME RELIEF CUTS IN THIS UNDER CARPET LIGHT IN ORDER TO ALLOW IT TO LAY DOWN AGAINST THE FLOOR IN A MORE UNIFORM MANNER. IT'LL STILL DO THE JOB JUST FINE, BUT FITTING IT LIKE THIS IS ESSENTIAL FOR A NICE LOOKING INTERIOR.

LATER DOWN THE ROAD WE ALSO WILL BE USING SOME OF DEI'S SILICONE COATED HEADER WRAP TO CONTROL THE TEMPERATURES UNDER THE HOOD, AND THERE'S A PRETTY

GOOD CHANCE WE'LL BE USING SOME OF THEIR SPEAKER BAFFLES. THESE THINGS PROTECT THE SPEAKERS AND ALSO IMPROVE

THE SOUND BY ELIMINATING ANY UNWANTED VIBRATIONS.

(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP WE'LL FINALLY PULL THE

CURTAIN TO REVEAL THE MOPAR'S WHEELS.

(JOE)>> OKAY OUR OLD CHALLENGER'S REALLY STARTING TO COME TOGETHER WITH THE GRILL, BUMPER, AND LOT OF TRIM IN PLACE. WELL NOW IT'S TIME TO CONSIDER SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY DEFINES THE STYLING AND PERSONALITY OF A CAR MORE THAN ANYTHING, WHEELS AND TIRES.

(TOMMY)>> WHEN WE SET OUT TO FIND THE RIGHT WHEELS

FOR THIS CAR, WE TALKED TO OUR CHASSIS BUILDER, JEFF SCHWARTZ AT SCHWARTZ PERFORMANCE, ABOUT WHAT

WOULD WORK BEST WITH THE BRAKES THAT HE INCORPORATED INTO HIS CHASSIS.

(JOE)>> WITH MASSIVE SIX PISTONS CALIPERS AND 14 INCH ROTORS ALL THE WAY AROUND, WE'VE GOT SOME SERIOUS STOPPING.

BUT THAT MEANS WE NEEDED SOME SERIOUS WHEELS TO FIT THEM. ORIGINALLY WE SET OUT TO FIND OVER SIZED RALLY STYLE WHEELS, BUT WE'VE DECIDED TO TAKE A CUE FROM

OUR CHASSIS AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE MODERN. AFTER A GOOD DEAL OF SCOURING ON THE INTERNET, WE CAME ACROSS A WHEEL DESIGNER AND MANUFACTURER THAT HAD JUST THE THING TO MEET OUR NEEDS. AMANI FORGED IS BASED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, AND THEY OFFER DOZENS OF AWESOME DESIGNS ALL AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE COLOR CONFIGURATIONS.

(TOMMY)>> THEY'VE GOT 10 SIZES AVAILABLE FROM 19 INCH ALL THE WAY UP TO THE 34 INCH RANGE. SO THEY CAN HOOK YOU UP WITH THE PERFECT WHEEL NO MATTER WHAT PROJECT YOU'RE BUILDING, EVEN OFF ROAD.

(JOE)>> WELL HERE'S WHAT WE CAME UP WITH FOR THE MOPAR, CHECK IT OUT.

19 INCH AMANI TREMENDO CONCAVE, FANCY NAME BUT IT'S A THREE PIECE FORGING THAT SHOULD WORK PERFECTLY WITH THOSE BIG BRAKES ON OUR DODGE. NOW THESE THINGS MEASURE NINE INCHES WIDE UP FRONT, 12 INCHES OUT BACK TO CREATE QUITE A FOOT PRINT, LAY DOWN A TON OF RUBBER TO GIVE US TRACTION. WE'VE WRAPPED THEM IN NITTO ENVOS THAT WE SHOWED YOU A WHILE BACK, WHICH IS A LUXURY SPORT ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRE THAT BLENDS PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT INTO ONE OUTSTANDING PACKAGE.

(TOMMY)>> WITH THE COMBINATION OF THAT CHASSIS, THOSE BRAKES, AND THESE TIRES, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT PLENTY OF THAT MOPAR POWER TO THE GROUND. THEN THAT OLD CAR SHOULD DRIVE LIKE IT'S ON RAILS. THE ONLY THING WE NEED TO DO NOW IS PLUG IT IN THE HOLE AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

(JOE)>> NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THESE WHEELS WERE A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE DODGE, AND CHECK OUT THAT FOOT PRINT.

(TOMMY)>> WELL OUR CHALLENGER SURE HAS MADE ONE HECK OF A VISUAL TRANSFORMATION TODAY.

(JOE)>> BEEN A GOOD DAY INDEED TOM, AND WE STILL HAVE A FEW THINGS LEFT ON OUR PUNCH LIST. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'RE GETTING DARN CLOSE.

(TOMMY)>> WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A SHIFTER, THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES TO CONSIDER AND ONE OF THE BIG ONES IS GONNA BE PLACEMENT.

BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO WORRY TOO MUCH, AMERICAN POWERTRAIN HAS GOT YOU COVERED.

YOU'VE SEEN THEIR WHITE LIGHTNING SHIFTERS BEFORE BUT THIS IS THEIR NEW WHITE LIGHTNING REVOLUTION, WHICH TAKES THEIR HIGH ADJUSTABILITY TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL. YOU CAN ADD FRONT, REAR, AND VERTICAL OFFSET, AND YOU CAN EVEN CLOCK THE SHIFTER FOR EASE OF USE. THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY OF THEIR TREMEC TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS. SO TALK TO AMERICAN POWERTRAIN AND ADD SOME

COMFORT INTO YOUR SHIFT.

(JOE)>> AND IF YOU'VE GOT A 2005 THROUGH 2014 MUSTANG AND YOU WANT A TRACK READY BRAKE UPGRADE FOR IT THAT WON'T BREAK YOUR BANK SO TO SPEAK, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOP AND LOOK AT THIS. EBC BRAKES OFFERS THIS STAGE SIX TRACK DAY KIT THAT INCLUDES A SET OF THEIR 12.5 INCH ANODIZED ROTORS THAT ARE SLOTTED AND DIMPLED TO EXPEL GASES AND HEAT. PLUS THE KIT INCLUDES A SET OF THEIR BLUE STUFF BRAKE PADS THAT ARE DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR TRACK USE. THESE PADS ARE EASY ON ROTORS, THEY OFFER LOW HEAT TRANSFER, AND DESIGNED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE SQUEEZING POWER OF MULTIPISTON CALIPERS. THIS COULD BE THE TICKET TO PUT MORE WHOA IN YOUR PONY.

(TOMMY)>> NO DOUBT YOU AMC GUYS OUT THERE HAVE TROUBLE FINDING PARTS FOR YOUR PROJECT. AND HECK, WITH HEADERS IN PARTICULAR, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON, IT CAN BE QUITE AN ISSUE.

WELL THESE PATRIOT HEADERS PERTRONIX CAN HELP EASE YOUR PAINT. THEY FIT '68 TO '70 AMX'S, JAVELINS, REBELS, AND AMBASSADORS. THEY'RE BUILT WITH SURFACED MACHINE STEEL FLANGES AND MANDREL BENT MILD STEEL TUBING. SO YOU CAN CHECK THAT OFF YOUR LIST OF HARD TO FIND PIECES FOR YOUR AMC.

BUT WE WON'T BE HARD TO FIND NEXT TIME, Y'ALL COME SEE US.