Can the shock towers be cut down with AlterKation front end?

[Billet Badges]

I am getting ready to install a 6.1L with the AlterKation front end in my 70 Road Runner.  With the AlterKation front end, are the old shock towers needed?  If they are not needed anymore, I am looking at cutting them out to clean it up and to give a bit more clearance for the engine.  Is this a good or bad idea?

[gocirino]

I am getting ready to install a 6.1L with the AlterKation front end in my 70 Road Runner.  With the AlterKation front end, are the old shock towers needed?  If they are not needed anymore, I am looking at cutting them out to clean it up and to give a bit more clearance for the engine.  Is this a good or bad idea?

I cut mine out of my 68' Dart 6.1 Hemi. Who needs them after you put the Alter K in anyway?

[Billet Badges]

Do you have any pictures of your engine bay and wheel well after these mods?

[MVRCorp]

Here's a couple pic of mine. Let me know if you want more.
Jim

[68_Val_Sedan]

that's some nice work MVR ....

[Billet Badges]

MVR,
Thanks for the pictures.  That is just what I was thinking of doing but on a B body.  Here is what I was thinking on my towers.



It will give a bit more clearance for the 6.1 or just clean up the engine bay.  Who knows, maybe I will need the room for twin turbos!!!  ! 

[MVRCorp]

Another pic. I drilled 1-1/4" holes at the corners to radius and relief the stress then bent the metal to match the radius.

[zpsull01]

I drilled 1-1/4" holes at the corners to radius and relief the stress then bent the metal to match the radius.

What exactly do you mean by this? I am also looking into doing this soon.

[Billet Badges]

I drilled 1-1/4" holes at the corners to radius and relief the stress then bent the metal to match the radius.

What exactly do you mean by this? I am also looking into doing this soon.

Instead of having sharp corners, he has drilled large holes and then cut out between the holes.  This will leave a nice radius on all the corners which will relieve the stress in the part.

[zpsull01]

Oh I see what you mean. How hard is it to bend the metal for that? I don't have access to a brake that's why I'm asking. I thought about doing this in two pieces. The horizontal and the vertical piece, then weld the seam but I am afraid it won't look as good.

[rjsjea]

AlterK and no shock towers here

[MVRCorp]

Oh I see what you mean. How hard is it to bend the metal for that? I don't have access to a brake that's why I'm asking. I thought about doing this in two pieces. The horizontal and the vertical piece, then weld the seam but I am afraid it won't look as good.

I used 18ga metal and had them bend the radius I wanted, traced the cut lines with a sharpie and cut it with a jig saw with a fine metal cutting blade.

[johnmw]

Here's one way to cover those shock holes.

[Billet Badges]

That is a great idea.  Since I make custom billet aluminum emblems, I think that I can do something like that really easy. 

[CudaSRT8]

Billet,
Just for the record, the GenIII Hemi fits into the B and E bodies with plenty of room to spare.   If you were to modify the shock towers, it would be for asthetic purposes only, cause you have plenty of room...

[Darius]

I am getting ready to install a 6.1L with the AlterKation front end in my 70 Road Runner.  With the AlterKation front end, are the old shock towers needed?  If they are not needed anymore, I am looking at cutting them out to clean it up and to give a bit more clearance for the engine.  Is this a good or bad idea?

I am also getting real close to installing an Alterktion in my 70 GTX, along with a genIII Hemi. I will be interested to see how your install goes, hope you will be so kind as to post some progress pics.
Thanks in advance!

[moparchop]

I had thought about alterk.,but that is a lot of money.I think I will shop around.But ,to shave 150 lbs. off the front end will really help with the weight of a big block.How about handling,and performance.

[rjsjea]

I had thought about alterk.,but that is a lot of money.I think I will shop around.But ,to shave 150 lbs. off the front end will really help with the weight of a big block.How about handling,and performance.

You're right but it's more than the weight savings.....R & P steering, way more space for headers and starter, improved suspension geometry for bigger wheels/tires.  more brake options, etc....  If you are rebuilding the whole front end of your stock stuff, the AlterK is not that expensive.  IMHO

[moparchop]

Your right,I know I will be upgrading the steering and brakes the whole works.I remember hearing about something eles had to be done .Moving something at an angle for a bodies.cant remember.

[bigtimeauto]

the only *thing* that has to be done is you need to remove the lower bumpstop bracket. after that its a bolt in. I have under the car to check everything before i powder coat it. If you guys need any pics just yell.

[moparchop]

Yes,I would like to see some pictures.I think you guys helped me make up my mind.Thanks again

[moparchop]

[bigtimeauto]

Here is mocked up, I will post some tomorrow when i cut the stock shock towers off.

[moparchop]

tanks,For the pict. I am still trying to get my duster pictures together on this deal.Any way your front end looks great.Next month I am going Alterk.