I ran into the same exhaust problem putting in a 350 SBC into my D50 4x4. I put a body lift on it and used block hugger headers. Your problem is no one makes a smog legal block hugger headers that I could find. Is the 5.3 longer than the 350. Reason I ask is I was able to install a large aluminum radiator and mechanical fan with shroud without cutting away the radiator support like you did.

Trucks have longer engine bays than monteros.

The gen 1 Mighty Maxs have a smaller engine bay then the gen 2 Mighty Maxs. Some people have told me that the gen 1 has a curved firewall (I dont really see it but it is for sure smaller) that sizes down the motor bay. Putting a big motor in a gen 2 is pretty easy more then one guy has sneaked in a 350, 351, 318, 360 just about anything into the gen 2 Mighty max

The thread has had some activity while I've been dealing with finals. I'll try and catch up now...



My friends camera got stolen, but has someone bring one by occasionally, so I'll see what we can get during the next opportunity. Size wise, I don't have the engine here, so I can't help much with that. I'll see if I can come up with something for you. I don't anticipate hood issues with the body lift I have.



Thanks for the input. I was looking at some LS1 manifolds the other day with thoughts of sugarplums...I have another plan. I won't be posting what it is until I have pics though, gotta keep it under wraps. I will say we are retaining the stock exhaust manifolds, though. We'll "work around" it...



I already have a body lift. I HAVE to so I can keep the engine under the hood and the trans under the tunnel. We MAY end up cutting the tunnel and fabbing a new one even with the body lift. I don't know how big the pick-up engine bays are, but there was no way to get around cutting something, and taking out the radiator support was much less involved than modifying the firewall. I also don't know how the newer 5.3 and older 350 match up, sorry. Finally, there are smog legal "block hugger" headers available from Gibson and JBA. The problem is they don't dump center block like I need them to. Everything on the market dumps to the rear where the frame interference is. We'll get around it...





Thanks Curtis and Kerby. I know nothing of the trucks.

Ok, an update. The Stak D300 case is at the mailbox place. We should get it picked up on Friday. The 200# per corner wheels and tires made it to Kali. They are making their way to the Raider one by one. As soon as we can get a camera over to the shop, I'll post up some pics of them mounted on the Raider.

The engine was yanked back out of the engine bay today for some measurements and planning. The plan for the most drastic change of all has just been decided upon. You are all going to love it, but you'll have to wait. All I'll say is that the front end work is underway!

If you are still having issues with the exhaust you can buy header flanges from GM (or others). Next check out all of the choices of headers for 5.0 ford motors...after you make your selection, cut the header flange from the ford re-route the front tube and weld the GM flanges on. With the exception of the front tube on each side needing some tweaking the exhaust port spacing is the same. Ford headers are cheap too. Go to NAPA and compare header gaskets for each engine.....you will be surprised how close the match.

I don't know how to say this without getting kicked in the balls and sent packing, so I'll just spill the beans. As of this morning, this build is dead. It turns out my aspirations were bigger than what I could pack into the raider and keep it on the road safely. Ultimately, my needs for the rig changed and cascaded into something that couldn't be done with this platform. The build is still on, but will be done with a rig for a different forum.

Thanks to all for the support through my ramblings here, and I'm sorry I couldn't deliver...

I still have the Black Raider, though, and will continue to improve on that Mitsu for now.

Jon, I saw something this morning that made me say "Duh!" reminding me of something I photographed last year about this time. I saw a prerunner Datsun, big nasty tires, no windows, and HUGE front fenders, but that's not important now.

Last year I kept seeing this little orange LUV on 36's in the business park near my office. I stopped the dude once, asked about the truck, and he'd just sold it. What is important is that he'd cut down a Grand Wagoneer frame and kept the 360 V8 and running gear and put a modified LUV body on...much like Jeff's project with the K20.

Is the silver Raider project truly dead, shelved for now, or to become pieces for someone else's rig? Is it cold feet because you may need a 1-ton and big trailer to haul the Raider? Like my project with the black Montero and 302 Ford, I still have to wrap up details with Clarence for purchase value, gather parts, learn skills, and such. But my goals from the start were just a resto-mod - add more power, better braking, and such. I like the IFS ride, not so concerned with going over large rocks...but I digress and have a tendency to do so.

My folks belong to an Austin Healey club. In the 70's/80's, the club had 'Tech Sessions' where everyone would bring there cars, turn some wrenches, drink lots of beer, and get some projects done. My folks were forever dragging me to these things, and I learned lots. Maybe the Cali members here need to do the same? Justice has turned out some fantastic work on his 89. Kris and Jacob, the (Ghost) Raider twins...;) Jeff and his K-Raider are cool. The guy ('777' ??) who put the Cad 6L in, wherever he went... Our friend, rrodriguez, and his loaded Raider. Numerous others with individual projects, we all feel for you.

Ask the recently deceased fellows from Yosemite, even with a mondo-Raider, they'd not have survived. It's not always the mountain climbed that is important, but the safe return to family and friends. Our Board provides great support for addicts like us, and our lofty goals. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Russell

Russell,

My addiction/affliction is worse than it was when this project started. It started as a new Vortec V6 daily driven rig. It rapidly moved to an insane new Vortec V8 driven full width 1-ton axle on 200# wheels/tires. The frame that was originally holding up a 2 door vehicle with a 4 cylinder didn't change. The reality of what I've done hit when the wheels were mounted on the Raider and couldn't be covered for street use without cutting a HUGE amount of the body away. Then we found that the only way to keep good structural integrity to drive this thing on the highway at 70MPH would require basically cutting the frame at the firewall and building a tube cage that would house the engine. Then would come still more body work to skin the cage and cover the tires. Finally, I would be left with a monster that will have cost me (has cost me) more than I dreamed of spending on this project. But, guess what...the title will still say "1989 Dodge Raider". If you haven't been able to tell, I wouldn't EVER be able to get rid of this thing for any amount close to the unstated figure I have tied up in it.

So, that brings me to this morning's decision. I broke and bought a frame, tub and title that is worth something as soon as I put this thing on the road. It has a proven track record with modifications such as I'm undertaking and is a vehicle that I've particularly lusted after for many years. For what I've done, I may as well have EXACTLY what I want. The Raider is being dismantled. Some things are being sent to me for my Black Raider, and the rest (actually only a tub and frame, now) are going to scrap.

I'll once again apologize as I started with a vision in mind but didn't curb the constant desire to go bigger. It spiraled out of control, and here I am.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, but I'm not going anywhere (to the dismay of some, I'm sure). I'm just changing platforms on this one.

Hmmm... You bought a Jeep? I know exactly what you mean. Mine wont be seeing 70mph. Maybe 55mph which is the speed limit around here. I would have to go about 15 miles to find a 65mph speed limit. I cant find a law for Indiana about how much your tires can stick out but a buddy of mine asked the sheriffs office about it and they said as long as it wasn't over 10'. The law on lifts is +/- 3" from OE and the headlights a max of 54" so I might have some trouble there but the law tends to look the other way around here on that kind of stuff. Mine will never be a "rock crawler". It will be sticking to the mud and hills of Haspin. I'm worried to death about rolling over so I have a roll cage that I'm going to put in it. I wasn't too concerned about it until I moved the axle. I really see why your concerned after seeing it. Good luck with your new project. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />