1988 Dodge
Daytona
I
purchased it in August 1998 for $700 and has it has since undergone extensive
work: gone are the wrecked body panels, rusted doors, and dents, etc. while the
newer 2.5L 4cyl engine with only 33,000 miles on it, remains intact. The
original owner who sold me the car already had many new replacements, including:
engine, clutch, front suspension, brakes, radiator, tie-rods, e-brake, and other
minor things.
Since
the car was a base model, it did not have a spoiler or ground effects, so Ryan
salvaged some parts from an ES: doors, fender, bumper, ground effects, front
nose and spoiler for $500 plus $100 for the Turbo Star wheels from a 1992 ES.
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Rebuilt and polished head |
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New Mopar headgasket
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Turbo valve cover (finally
won't leak oil with this design) |
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Engine painted red and silver |
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K&N cone filter |
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2 1/4-inch exhaust to a Cherry
Bomb Glasspack |
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180 degree thermostat |
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7mm Bosch wires and plugs |
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Advanced timing to 15 degrees |
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Disconnected EGR valve and smog
pump |
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Removed balance shafts |
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Pioneer CD Player |
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Polk audio speakers |
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Pioneer 12-inch subwoofer |
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15-inch Turbo Star wheels with
Mastercraft tires |
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Short shifter w/leather boot |
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sunroof |
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Pilot fog lights and blue
headlights |
Needless to say, this Daytona does not resemble most other base Daytona's. In
fact, it has been totally transformed to somewhat-resemble a 1989 Daytona Shelby
(sans the Pumper wheels).
1988 Dodge Daytona. 2.5L TBI engine with 5spd
transmission.
*When I first got it.
*Front view of the 88 base model Daytona
*One last group photo of the before pictures.
*My Daytona 2 years after the new paint job and ground effects.
*Almost resembles an 89 Shelby
*Rear quarter view
*Interior shot, disregard the shift knob, I made a custom short
throw afterwards.
*Rear shot. Why did I sell it!!! :(
*No rust at all!!! Very clean car.
*Look at those 92-93 Turbo Star wheels off of a newer style
daytona.
*All it needed was a turbo engine.
*Nice front view.
*Lots of work to convert it to the newer style body.
*Maaco did a very good job.
*One last shot.
*Engine bay
After owning the car for 2 years the headgasket decided
to go. I then repaired the head myself and replaced the headgasket and
sold it to another Daytona enthusiast who lives nearby. Then I saw an ad
in the WantAD for a 93 Daytona and well you know the rest...
