1980 Chrysler Avenger V8 Wagon

thats interesting, thanks for the quote

What a build. Would love a ITB 1UZ one day.

Thanks. Yeah, the 1UZ is a great engine, it's a really compact little V8 and they are pretty bullet proof. Once you get them set up and you know what to do to make more power then they are sweet.

The ITB's sound amazing on the 1UZ, that is pretty much the main reason I went ITB's, that and to support future upgrades like the heads etc. Plus it is something different. Not many people do ITB's on a 1UZ. I really didn't want to mess up the engine bay with intake hoses and I wanted to show off the trumpets so it is win win!

Yeah, the NZ cars are a bit different to what you get in the states. Eric Bana's beast, and the Mad Max cars are both 1973 XB Falcon hardtops. They are one of my favourite Aussie cars, behind the Charger, they were the main competitor, they used to race together back in the 70's



The Charger was the unbeatable king on NZ racing though. It has a 7 year undefeated streak from 1972-1978 at NZ's biggest race, the Benson and Hedges 500/1000, sort of like winning the indy 500 but for production cars. It won every year since it was introduced in 72, until they stopped making them in 78. Ford even sent there top Aussie drivers over to beat the Chargers but they couldn't do it. And the E49 variant of the Charger was the fastest Australian production car for about 30 years. It wasn't beaten until 2003. So yeah, it is a pretty iconic car, and a true beast.

Speaking of Mad Max, there was a Valiant Charger in Mad Max 2



And in the new Mad Max film there was 2 Valiant Chargers





You did actually get the Avenger in the states, but it was sold as a "Plymouth Cricket" they only sold the sedan from late 1971 till mid 73. And the wagon didn't come out till spring 72 and was also cancelled in mid 73. So they only sold the wagon for less than a year in the states, I would imagine not many were sold and I doubt there would be any wagons left in the states. Even here the wagon is very rare, the sedan is quite common, but very few wagons left.

In the states I think it was probably a bit of bad timing with the Avenger/Cricket. It was introduced before the 73 fuel crisis so Americans didn't want or need small cars. By the time the fuel crisis hit, it was too little too late. Also their marketing was a bit naf. it was totally marketed towards the flower child hippy type of people so you could see how your average pre-gas crisis USA customer would see it. So yeah, it bombed hard, wrong time, wrong place, wrong name and wrong marketing. www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/brochures_1971_plymouth_cricket



Do it!! it would be great to see more ITB 1UZs out there.



Thanks! I think the key to good wiring is planning. I entirely stripped out the body loom and just simplified it as much as possible, then created the engine loom. There is only one place where the 2 looms connect, and that is a little 8 pin connector, and that is only for the ignition and starter, plus a few other things. Just take your time, plan out your cable runs first, and draw lots of wiring diagrams so you know where everything is going.

Thanks.

Configured the shift lights on my dash. I have them set to low RPM just so I can test if I like the pattern and colour. Pretty happy with it.



So a little bit of a set back. Performance wheels over in Aussie have been giving me the run around so it doesn't look like I am going to get my proper wheels for probably another month or so, which will be well after my South Island trip and track day I have planned for October.

So I had to go for plan C, which is by some other wheels that are the same size and offset, just to get me though certing and the South Island trip etc. They might not look as good but at least they will get me to the South Island and to the track day.

I got some 15x8 steel rims for the back. They are the same offset as the Challengers that I will get eventually so I can just swap them over when I get the new rims. The front won't looks as good because I had to go for some ugly alloys to get the offset I needed.



It doesn't look too bad with the steelies but because my other Avenger has steelies then I want something different for the wagon.



The 15x8 with 225/50R15 fit really nicely under the guards. It is quite amazing that they fit under there. They are the same size as the ones on my other Avenger but I have huge flares on my other Avenger.



Built a new adjustable panhard rod so we can tweak the back end a little bit.

Thanks

New plug lead set.



Marked all of the old leads

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The new ones were all numbered and comes preinstalled in the plastic holder that goes over the middle so they are real easy to install.



Got the new tyres. It's getting harder and harder to find 15 inch wheels. Went for 225/50R15 Toyo Proxies4 at the back



Back tyres on the car with the temporary rims



Got the new temporary front rims. Need to paint that center cap black



Front tyres fitted. I went 195/50R15 Toyo T1R. They stopped making most of the sizes in T1R, my other Avenger has 205/50R15 and 225/50R15 T1R's but they don't make either anymore.



Front wheels on the car



Offsets are pretty good. Might go out a couple of millimeters front and back.



I raised the front with some new springs, it is sitting very high so I need to get more low. It was too low before so I am just going to keep dropping it until it looks and handles right.

In which photo?

In the last photo the red car under the hoist is a Capri. and in the second to last photo the gold car behind my Estate is a V6 Capri.

I'm surrounded by them

Never mind the Capri, I like the Marina van up on the lift! Cant remember the last time I saw one of those!

Ive not read the last page properly but is it worth a rear mounted stealth turbo install?

I like the look and sound of the ITB's plus I wanted to keep the engine bay looking all tidy and the intake hoses and sealed plenum would have ruined the look I am going for. It has plenty of power ATM, it is pretty mental in a car this light, and I can get more out of the ITB's if I need to, but personally I think it has more than enough power already.

Machined some wheel spacers for the back.



The rear sitting at it's final width.



Fills up the guard really well with no rubbing



Did some last minute rust repairs.



I'm not much of a panel beater but it came out pretty good. I will get the whole outside resprayed next year so it's only temporary.



Also did some rust repair around the back, under the bumper on both sides



Installed a brake bias valve. I have a bit too much front brakes with the willwoods.



Decided to restore the front grille. It was painted solid body colour by the previous owner, which I never liked. Originally it would have been black and silver so that is what I went with. I started off by painting the whole thing black



Then masking everything because I am going to hand paint it.



Finished hand painting the grille. Looks pretty sweet.



It back on the car



Added Dynamat to the front doors.



And the rear doors