Hot Rod Garage Season 9 Episode 5 1974 Javelin Hits the Track!

In the fifth episode of the ninth season of Hot Rod Garage, the team sets their sights on a 1974 AMC Javelin with plans of turning it into a race car. The Javelin is a rare car, as AMC only produced 15,000 of them, making it a difficult car to come by. The team has their work cut out for them as they transform this car from its current state into a track-worthy race car.

The team starts by tearing apart the Javelin and assessing what needs to be done. The interior is stripped, along with the fuel system, brakes, and suspension. The Javelin was known for its soft suspension, which is great for cruising but not as suitable for racing, so the team decides to lower the car and install stiffer springs to improve its handling.

The car's engine is a 360 cubic inch V8, but the team plans to swap it out for a bigger 401 cubic inch engine. They install a new hot camshaft and new headers to increase the power output. The team also installs a new air intake system and a new exhaust system to help the engine breathe more efficiently. The Javelin originally had a three-speed manual transmission, but the team upgrades it to a four-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter for better gear selection.

The team also addresses the safety concerns of the car, installing a roll cage, racing seats, and racing harnesses. They install a fuel cell in the trunk to improve the car's weight distribution, and also add a fire suppression system.

With the mechanical work complete, the team takes the Javelin to the track to test its performance. They are pleased with the car's handling and power, but they notice some issues with the fuel system. The team makes some adjustments and the car performs even better.

Throughout the episode, the team also discusses the history of the Javelin and talks about some of the other iconic American muscle cars that were produced during the same era. They also discuss the importance of safety in racing and how safety features have evolved over the years.

Overall, the episode is an in-depth look at the process of turning a classic car into a race car. The team's knowledge and expertise are on full display as they tackle the challenges of upgrading the Javelin's engine, suspension, and safety features. Car enthusiasts and fans of the show will enjoy seeing the car's transformation and the team's passion for creating a high-performance machine.