Turbo Dodge experts in/near Indy to check out a car

So, there's a mostly turbo-swapped Dodge Rampage just South of Indy that I'm thinking way more seriously about getting than I should (since I'd have to sell the '98 Riviera I've been planning on taking to the Challenge first). Unfortunately, that's a 3 hour drive away from me so it would essentially be a full day to drive out and check it out and I'm not the most knowledgeable about turbo Dodges in the first place.

So, is there anyone in or very near Indy who knows turbo Dodges reasonably well that might be able to check out a car for me? Thanks!

if you want to message me on FB i have a buddy who lives there that only does turbo K/L body stuff.

I wish I were closer, but I wish you luck!

I still miss my Rampage and I always wanted to turbo or supercharge it (I still have the MP supercharger kit), but even without the extra boost, it was plenty fun to buzz around in and be able to toss stuff in the bed.

HonestSpeedShop wrote: if you want to message me on FB i have a buddy who lives there that only does turbo K/L body stuff.

Thanks! I assume your FB is the same as your username here?

If the rampage doesn't work out, there's this one:

$800 Shelby

I'd lend you a hand, but I know NOTHING about Turbo Dodges.

In reply to Indy-Guy:

Squee! I love those! Especially with that color combo!

That said, that's not a turbo. Not the worst thing in the world, it just needs an SRT-4 swap :)

That is a sweet-looking car... doubt I could both find a SRT4 for cheap enough and get it swapped in before the Challenge.

Did talk to the seller (this is the car) and think we could probably work something out if it doesn't sell in the auction.

Bring it anyway, swap SRT-4 in parking lot!

Or bring it and have fun, then swap it later when you can take the time.

The PR Cruiser Turbo drivetrain is nearly the same and more conmonly found for cheap. Jus' sayin'

In reply to Stefan:

Pity that drivers fender is banged up as well- I don't know how easy a replacement would be to find.

I'm far more interested in the Rampage though- I've wanted to bring a use to the Challenge for years. I almost got a Rampage a few days after I had paid for (but not picked up) my former El Camino- I've always regretted that I didn't take the chance and get it when I had the opportunity.

I think somebody like minivan_racer is located in Indy and seems to know a thing or two about turbo dodges. Maybe PM him?

That's located about 15 or 20 minutes from my house, but I don't know bunk about old Chrysler turbo stuff and I'm currently a 12 hour drive from home

I used to daily drive a Shelby charger, they are not particularly reliable, and parts availability is quite bad. The next car I had was an Alfa Romeo Milano and it was significantly more reliable and easier to work on, and parts were much more easily available. I would probably buy a GLHS or other numbered Shelby car if I saw one for cheap, but otherwise I'd probably pick a Maserati Biturbo if I wanted an unreliable and cheaply made 80s turbo car lol.

In reply to Tk8398:

Which parts are hard to find exactly?

Shifter linkage? Bah, rebuild it with metal heim joints and the problem is solved forever.

Decent motor mounts? Polybushings.com polyurethane mounts and suspension bushings. Done. Forever.

Turbo parts? Standard Garrett parts, upgrades available.

Internal parts? Rockauto.com, FWD-Performance, Turbosunleashed. Done.

Electronics? Forums for stock bits, MegaSquirt and GM sensors to solve the problem permanently.

They are Lego cars, the body and interiors aren't known for being robust, but for a race car that doesn't really matter. The Italian likely has the edge there, especially since they were wildly different price points when new. Compare the BiTurbo to a BMW of the same vintage and tell me which is more reliable and easy to repair.

I'd hate to try to find the same parts and upgrades for the Italian job for similar money.

On the flipside, T-D's were so cheap and prevalent that the owners treated them like junk and often by the time they reached the end of the warranty, let alone the second or third owners they were well and truly used and abused. I don't hold that against them, just the owners. Much like some of the fine Italian machinery that were practically destroyed by ignorant and/or cheap owners.

The only thing i can say is from my experience turbo dodges multiply and you end up with 20 of them. Indys a bit too far to drag my buddy too look at it.

I resemble that remark!

I also have a Rampage and am planning to be at the Challenge this year with it. As a boring carb-engine'd truck with decent suspension and tires. Fear me.

Have a reasonably strong offer on the Riviera that would let me buy the Rampage if it works out- hopefully tomorrow morning the Riv will be sold and I'll be working out getting the Rampage from the seller.

I was trying to daily drive it and had to deal with emissions emissions testing, so I had to keep it at least looking stock. Back then there were still junkyard parts available, now there really aren't anymore. I actually was able to get new factory shifter linkage and that worked the whole time I had it. Some of the more annoying NLA parts were starter solenoids for the old style starter (discontinued from the factory, autozone ones only lasted a couple months), cv joints (the splines in the intermediate shaft failed and I ended up getting used ones from a later omni), and I never figured out exactly why but it wouldn't start sometimes when it was cold and wet outside, and the ignition would randomly cut out while driving, and it would sometimes die and not restart until it cooled off when it was hot outside. The foam in the horn buttons decomposes too so the horn will eventually stay on all the time at 6:00 one morning until you disconnect it. Try finding L body window scrapers that aren't completely brittle and broken too. The Alfa wasn't that good of a car either, but it had far less rides on a tow truck, and you could actually buy suspension upgrades new (Koni or bilstien dampers, sway bars, springs, etc). It did cost twice what the charger did new, although I only paid $550 more for it. Replacement and maintenance parts were mostly not much different. Turbo dodges are fun when they run and easy to make a decent amount of power with the right parts, but the time has long passed where one can be used as a daily driver in anything resembling stock form if you have anywhere important to go. Parts availability for dodges more than 10 or so years old is terrible. My dad's neon has the same issue now, a lot of stuff you actually kinda need to repair it properly is long gone.

That's like 25 minutes from me and I have way too much free time this weekend. PM me and let's see what we can arrange. Also if you don't buy that then I might. Would look appropriate next to my El Camino and Model A Pickup.

In reply to Tk8398:

Ditch the old style starter and move to the newer one. Just have to drill out one mounting hole slightly to remove the threads to allow the stud to pass through the transaxle case. Makes changing them easier and there's more room for a heat shield to keep them from failing as quickly.

I believe the intermediate shaft used a yoke that was compatible with old RWD Mopars. A good driveshaft shop could confirm. The outside inner splines portion do fail if improperly cared for as many rusted up because they weren't greased when installed. A good driveline shop should be able to build one, but going to unequal length axles is an option too.

Starting issues when cold/wet could be condensation build up in the cap, especially if the rain shield is missing, which commonly does go missing. Or it could be an issue with the the wiring, grounds and the like tend to get old and brittle.

New window sweeps are available now, thanks to the enthusiasts.

Most of these problems are not uncommon to cars of the period and I had to keep mine emissions legal and rarely had an issue getting them to pass, even with larger exhaust and reprogrammed computers.

That said, there's a reason I stopped dailying them and sold them all off. They are fun, but old enough that they are frustrating to own as the body and interiors just aren't holding up well.

Are the steering racks on the Rampage and Shelby Charger (shown above) the same or similar? I ask as I've heard the Shelby Mopar racks were different (and now hard to find?) vs comparable year/model non Shelby Mopars.

The Shelby racks are 14:1 ratio, the standard ones are like 20:1. It should be 2.5 turns lock to lock.

You can still get them from the rebuilders, just have to verify they are correct with a pair of pliers before leaving the store.

Finally have someone with a very strong interest in the Riviera coming to look at it today or tomorrow... if they buy it hopefully I'll still be able to get this!