There are some people in this world who start on a project car, and by the end of the month they’re taking it for a test drive. Those people are aliens from another galaxy with magical abilities, it’s been proven. Then there are people like me, who get stalled on a project because of one thing or another that has little to do with the project itself. But we’re back at Project Windstorm again, and making some progress.
We solicited some help from a friend you might know, if you followed our content and YouTube videos. Dane has become more than just a partner in the automotive industry, he has cleared up his busy schedule to help with our Hellcat Redeye swap for Project Windstorm. The first order of business was to knock the cobwebs off the car, and get it loaded up and taken to the Burndown garage for some custom work and some much needed love on our neglected Belvedere II.
We’ve taken the Hellcat mill about as far as we can on the engine cradle, and while Dane is prepping the car to install a smooth firewall, that leaves us to get the final process done to the engine. We’ve already installed the new A/C compressor from the recommendation in the Hellcrate instructions, as well as the power steering pump, which we acquired from Sublime Technologies.
Thanks to companies really stepping up to offer components for the Hellcat swap crowd, like Holley, Earl’s, and MSD, we were able to source aftermarket parts that not only improve the performance of our Hellcat, but also provide a much more custom look to add some flair to the engine in the process.
From LA to Hellcat on the Redeye Express
The first order of business was to pull the LA from the confines of the engine bay. When performing a swap like this, the first thought is that you might need to fabricate custom mounts for the engine. But our friends at Control Freak Suspensions has us covered. When we installed the coil over suspension, we already our buddy Al Kamhi was aware that engine swaps in Mopars was a common occurrence, and one call landed us the correct engine mount brackets for the Gen 3 Hemi.
Like many other Mopar-specific companies like TTi, communication is key, and there are quite a few companies that stay in touch to make sure their products work together. For those not into the Mopar crowd, the same transmission we installed behind the LA block, is a direct bolt up to the Gen 3 Hemi – they have the same bolt pattern. One call to our friends at Silver Sport Transmissions, and we had a new bellhousing, flexplate, and adapters for the starter.
With the engine and trans out of the Belvedere, we collected some parts that will no longer be used, in order to free up some space for Dane and avoid storage fees! Fortunately, some things will remain, like our trans cooler, driveshaft, and a few other odds and ends. The reliable FAST E-Z EFI we installed over a decade ago will be sent back home with us, and get cleaned up for possibly another project in the future.
We’re going to replace the existing 3/8″ fuel system for the much needed 1/2″ fuel system for the Hellcat, which will require a dual pump system. That means the fuel tank also comes out, and we’ll send it off to our friends at Rick’s Tanks for some upgrades. For fuel plumbing, we’ll likely stick with Fragola’s EZ Street fittings and fuel hoses, which have been a great addition to our build.
We spent some time and money on the LA stroker, but as mentioned above, build failures from two reputable shops really soured us on this engine for this project. The Hellcat popped up and the gears in the brain started churning, and before we knew it, Windstorm was created. After all, if it was a Chevy or a Ford, it wouldn’t seem odd to swap an LSA or a Coyote, would it?
The one thing we’re doing with this part of the project is to take the time to do it right, and not rush into things. We’re not setting a deadline or a goal line to be reached, we’re taking things as they come and trying to make sure we don’t create problems that shouldn’t exist. We’ll also (finally) get that Vintage Air system mocked up and ready for cooling down the interior.
Quite a bit needed to come out of both the engine compartment and the interior, since Dane will be cutting and welding on the firewall.
We’re excited to get back at this project and to take it to a place that will make it not only a great test bed for what can be, but also to make it a learning experience for others who may want to attempt a similar swap in their old Mopar. Back in the day – when we walked uphill both ways in the snow – the typical swap in a Mopar was small-block to big-block, or even a Gen 2 Hemi.
But times are changing and the modern swaps are all the rage, and we want to ride that wave with Project Windstorm. It’s a big project, but the money has almost already been spent, save for a few parts here and there, and the Hellvedere badges and license plate have been made.
The next step is to get the Hellcrate Harness clicked into ever sensor, switch, coil, and fuel injector, and get the Redeye ready to drop between the frame rails. We’ll bring you up to date with the harness install, there’s a few tips to make that task a little easier. We already removed all of the OE harness and removed or plugged anything that won’t be needed, and of course did all the paintwork and modifications.
We can’t wait to get the engine installed and light up our custom Dakota Digital gauges for the first time in the car, but first things first. We’ll follow up next week with the harness installation and show you what you can expect from the Hellcrate Redeye PCM and Harness kit from Mopar!
Project Windstorm: Follow the Cat
Control Freak Suspension – The suspension that makes it possible
Getting Catty – Purchasing a Hellcat engine from a wrecked car
Cleaning the Cat – Removing what we don’t need, and cleaning it up
Test Fit Parts – The search for a proper starter
Dakota Digital Part 1 – Installing custom-made gauges
Dakota Digital Part 2 – Mounting the TFT displays
Removing Blower Pulley – Using the right tool, the right way
Metco Motorsports – A pulley set that looks killer
Earl’s Intercooler Manifold – When real estate is at a premium
MSD Coils – Getting the best spark we can get
Holley Oil Pan – Getting the right oil pan
FEAD the Hellcrate – Things you’ll need for the Redeye
Prepping for the Hellcat – Pulling the LA 408 and cleaning up