Ep 13. Road Runner Budget Power Upgrades

In this episode of Roadkill Garage, the team takes on the challenge of upgrading a 1972 Plymouth Road Runner on a budget. The car, which was purchased for $4,000, is in rough shape and needs significant work to become roadworthy again.

The first order of business is to address the car's engine and transmission. The Road Runner came with a 318 cubic inch engine, which is not a particularly powerful or desirable option. To remedy this, the team decides to swap in a 360 cubic inch engine from a Dodge truck. The engine is in decent shape, but needs some work to bring it up to snuff. The guys install a new camshaft, lifters, and timing chain, and then bolt on a set of headers and a Holley carburetor to increase power.

Next on the list is the suspension. The Road Runner's stock suspension is outdated and does not provide the performance the team is looking for. To improve handling and ride quality, the guys install a set of coilover shocks and new control arms, as well as beefier sway bars.

Brakes are also a concern, as the car's factory drum brakes are not up to the task of stopping the beefed-up engine. The team decides to swap in a set of disc brakes from a 1974 Dodge Dart, which will provide better stopping power and be a direct bolt-on upgrade.

With the major mechanical upgrades done, the team turns its attention to the car's appearance. The Road Runner's paint is faded and worn, so the guys decide to give it a fresh coat. They also replace the door handles and install new bumpers.

One of the challenges of this build is sticking to a budget. The guys want to keep costs as low as possible, so they get creative with their solutions. For example, they use a piece of sheet metal to fabricate a new exhaust system instead of buying a pre-made one.

At the end of the episode, the team takes the Road Runner out for a test drive to see how the upgrades have changed its performance. The results are impressive - the car is faster, handles better, and stops more reliably than it did before. The guys are pleased with the overall outcome, and feel that they accomplished a lot with limited funds.

Overall, this episode of Roadkill Garage is an entertaining look at how a team of skilled mechanics can transform a beat-up old car into something special with a little ingenuity and hard work. Viewers who enjoy seeing car builds come to life will find plenty to enjoy here.