[Mala-Sangre]

A 1974 Javelin/AMX. 1 of 4,090 Jav/AMXs built in '74

360 4V - To be replaced by a 401
727 Torque Command
AMC/Dana 20 rear with 3.15 Twin Grip carrier
140 speedo, tic toc tach, A/C, power disc brakes, tilt steering wheel.

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Thanks 91. I really like it too. In fact, I wanted one since I was 14. My Cousin's husband had a 360/727 base Javelin that would lay it down. Needless to say, at 14, I was very impressed.

I'll pump the new 401 up to about 330 true HP for it. Nothing radical. That'll be quick enough. I'm more interested in handling, and this puppy is pretty impressive in hard corners for an older pony car.............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

1977 Hornet/AMX. Unknown production numbers, but according to AMC Gurus, very low.

304 V-8 - Will give way to a 340 Mopar or 401 AMC
904 Torque Command
AMC/Dana 20 rear with 3.15 gears and Twin Grip carrier

The stock 2V has been replaced with a performer manifold and Carter AFB. Dual exhaust is another non stock item. Has original tach and full instrumentation cluster pod. Also has the factory aluminum 14" mags.

 

[Mala-Sangre]

1987 Shelby GLHS. Car #12 0f 1,000

2.2 intercooled turbo engine rated at 174HP
5 speed manual gear box
FWD

All stock for now. A/C, AM/FM cassette, Original Koni 3-way adjustable shocks at all 4, original Shelby Automobiles aluminum mags.

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Ya got some real interesting rides there.
If that 904 tranny is the same as what was used in Chryslers I'd hafta say...DON'T USE IT!! I started out with a 904 in my cuda....lasted bout a long as my first street race..went through another before finally mating a 727 torqueflite underneath.
And did ya ever hear the story about what the GLHS stands for? the way I heard it Carroll Shelby had the GLH first, stood for Goes Like Hell.....the GLHS was Goes Like Hell Somemore at least that is according to a story I read once.

Yup, it's the same tranny as the Mopar 904, built for AMC by Mopar with an AMC bellhousing. They call it the Torque Command. Vast improvement over the old Borg Warner M series.

904s can be built for serious duty. In fact, they're done regularly these days. My buddies got one in his Dart. And this has a really warm 360. In the area of 375 HP. And it's completed one race season without a hitch so far.

And they have the advantage of lighter weight, and less horsepower scrub from your gross output. Not too mention their better gearing selection. But I agree that if the tranny won't be beefed, the 727 is a more durable choice. And is normally the tranny I select for hot rods. If I stick a 401 in it instead of a 340, I'll run the 727. As the 401 puts out BB type torque and would go through the 904 quicker than the 340.

The GLHS story you read is true. That's what it stands for. Best balanced car I've ever owned. Power and handling...........Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Thanks W300. Lucky for me, the two AMCs are Nv natives, so they have absolutely no rust whatsoever. And the GLHS is a Southern Cal native, and she has no rust either. But the desert sun has taken a toll on the GLHS' paint job. That's the first priority when I get back home.

Funny, the '74 AMX came from a Pawn shop in Reno. Someone must have had a bad day at the crap tables .............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Yes, the Omni GLHS was the '86 model. Only 500 of those were produced. I actually prefer those to the '87s. But unfortunately, the only time I spotted one for sale, I was in Oklahoma city, and it was in San Fran. And I just couldn't get away to grab it. ................Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Here's the most likely candidates for the next couple of build-ups. On the left, is an uncut '73 340 block for the Hornet. It'll be a stock stroke '72 steel crank build, with about 9.3 compression, mildly ported heads (if I go aluminum, I'll go higher on the compression), stock rods and lightweight pistons. Nothing radical. I'll baseline it with a Hughes/Engle 1423AL. Then go from there.

On the right is an uncut '76 401 for the Javelin. Nothing radical there either, as 401s are plenty strong with just a cam swap. About the same work will be done as with the 340. 9.0 compression, just bowl work on the heads (AMC "Dog Legs" need very little attention as they are probably the best flowing stock small block heads out there). Piston seletion for the AMC V-8 really sucks, so it'll be Ross custom pistons to dial in the compression and save weight over the TRWs (which are extremely heavy).

If I actually do go further with one, it most likely will be the 340. As it has better revving capabilities with it's 3.31 stroke compared to the 401's 3.68. That and it'll be in the Hornet's 200+ lb. lighter body.

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Yup, most outside of Chrysler circles have never even heard of them. They run 15 flat stock, due mostly to no bite with the FWD, but on the highway, it'll embarrass a lot of near stock small blocks. I've had her up near 140mph. And they'll give you more than that.

Stock, She's at about 14 lbs per HP. When I get some other projects clear, I'll have her between 10 and 11 lbs per HP. More boost, bigger injectors, computer, and a rebuild with the usual tricks. She's got 101,000 miles on now, and still runs like a champ..............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

I'll tell ya Mike. Luck had a lot to do with it. I actually took my Wife up to one of her favorite stores in Reno. Under protest I might add . Well, I hate shopping with Women, so I took a cruise to a used audio store there, usually rich in older high end Marantz gear. Sure enough, that's when I spotted it. At an auto pawn shop...............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Yes, the GLH really surprised lots of people. And the 2.2 has proven, to me anyway, to be a reliable engine. Great cars. I prefer them in the Omni body, but I couldn't turn down a GLHS.

Dick Teague's '71 - '74 Javelin body has always been a love it or hate type deal. I just happen to like it, and that's been for many years. It was meant to clean house in the '70 Trans Am series, and it did just that. The spoiler was designed by Mark Donahue for the '70 model. He also suggested the humps for wheel stuff in hard corners, while still maintaining the low frontal area. And AMC worked with Traco in Ca. to revamp the standard AMC head. It worked, the package cleaned house the next 2 years.

One interesting note. There was supposed to be the "true AMX" two seater based on this body. But AMC could not afford/risk/fund a low volume seller. As they were always 1 disaster from going under.

Ahhhh, but think of the possibilities if they had even Chrysler's budget.

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Yes, AMC, as well as GM, Ford, and Mopar all had their moments of brilliance. The 2 dr AMX '68 - '70 were great cars. But this AMX/3 would have been a memorable American sports car. It was designed to totally undress 'Vettes.

BMW, who did the testing of these cars, reported it very stable up to 140. They claimed with the right spoilers for added down force, it would have been stable to 160+. Not bad for a 1970 AMC! Too bad only 7 were made. 390ci V-8, mid engine. It was way ahead of it's time for an all American Sports car............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Well, I have lots of literature on AMC products and history. 100% necessary if your into these cars, as there is lots of incorrect AMC info & myths floating around..............Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Don't take this the wrong way im not poking fun

I'm too tired right now to take anything the wrong way.

i think that would make a good rally car

I wouldn't do that to any authentic low number model from any brand. Be it GM, Ford, Chrysler, or AMC. If it must be done, that's what base models are for. I don't believe in butchering cars. There are far too few left. Especially the factory V-8 Hornet/AMXs as mine happens to be. The V-8s probably only account for 20% of all '77 Hornet/AMXs. Incidently, the only year the AMX package was offered on the Hornets. And that's a generous figure knowing AMC's history. As it was the only option other than A/C and tape player for this model. And as we speak, it's on it's way to Linden, N.J.

maybe a modified running gear from the eagle(which i think is jeep t-case stuff anyway)

I had an Eagle, great car for what it was, but I wouldn't exactly consider it's driveline competition worthy. And their T-cases were unique to eagles. Designed by the Brits, and built by Chrysler for AMC. Viscous fluid coupled transfer cases.

it has that rally look

Maybe so. But I view it as an alternative to A-bodies. Lighter, and far better handling than any A body I've ever owned. And I've owned a lot of A bodies. And when I visit Jay on the way home, I'll pick up the magic pieces he's holding for me, to turn it into a runner capable of handling big 3 equivalents that are similarly cubed and built. Thanks to Jay, I'll be building out one of the 2 flaws in it's constuction. I'll address the other as well.

wonder if the eagle and hornet share some frame similarities in the front

The Eagles were nothing more than slightly re-skinned Hornets with a hump to accept the transfer case. Basically a 4WD Hornet is what it was....................Los

 

[Mala-Sangre]

Yes, factory V-8 Gremlins are very hard to find, and very desirable in AMC circles. AMC had poor rust protection up till '78, so rust is very common on them. The last year of 304 Gremlin production only amounted to 800+ units. The 304 Gremlins could run pretty well, all they needed was a bit more cam and a 4V. My Hornet has the stock cam and a 4V and it's pretty damn quick. Once massaged, 304 Grems (3,000+Lbs) were quick.

Randall AMC in Mesa, Az used to put 401s of any build state you wanted in Gremlins and Hornets. And let me tell you, if you're lined up next to a 401 powered Grem/Hornet, you'd better have something under your hood. Because these thing would lay down the boogie on street tires. I saw a 401 powered Grem with slicks run in Ca., and it was a nasty car, with no go go juice to boot..............Los