First Post!

1 Bad Mirada · 06-01-2006, 07:36 AM

Since the mirada, cordoba, and imperial werent amazingly successful cars, i figured that i would post some pictures of my mirada, with the hopes of some other J-body owners joining up!

joedirt77 · 10-21-2006, 10:06 AM

just recently joined mopar forums. first thing i looked up was j body. really enjoyed seeing pics of your mirada- what a nice car! today saw your car and your message- hoping to find other j body fans. your post is from may, but maybe you will see this anyway. i have an 80 mirada cmx, smallblock car, single exhaust. ran a 16.23 at 89.5 miles per hour. not fast, but a start. hope to see/hear more about your car and other j bodies.

1 Bad Mirada · 10-23-2006, 08:59 AM

my car hit a new best last weekend...12.62..

i have acquired a stroker kit for it, as well as new pistons. my current pistons are 8.5 to 1, and the new ones are 13.2 to 1, and with the stroker kit, 30 over, ill be at 374 ci.

however, we arent going to tear into the mirada motor until the demon is on the road, and it needs an entire engine. i have a 360 laying around that is in great shape, but id like to find a 340 for it...

joedirt77 · 10-23-2006, 07:23 PM

saw your post- just ran 12.62. that is very healthy for a heavy small block car. you didn't mention miles per hour or 60 ft time. my car is a factory 360 4bbl car, but it had a late (74) 340 in it, small valve heads, cast iron 360 4bbl manifold, stock late manifolds, 1 7/8 single exhaust, a thermoquad and a paper shift kit in the trans (727). the previous owner claimed to have run a 14.56 with headers and a holley carb, but i doubt it. the car has an 8 3/4, 3.91 sure-grip in it (replaces the factory 8 1/4). i had planned to build a 360, but lots of people suggest a big block. would like to hear more about your car and engine build-up.

1 Bad Mirada · 10-24-2006, 05:11 PM

on the 12.62 run, my trap speed was 104.86...with a 1.67 short time.

its a shame that someone pulled the 360 out, as the 360 "hipo miradas" were super rare...ive only ever seen one, and ive owned 3...currently still have two.

my motor is a 69 340, but when i got it, it was in bad shape, and it needed pistons. at the age of 16, i couldnt afford good pistons, so we got the cheapest pistons that i could find. they are 8 to 1 compression, 30 over, stock stroke. the heads that i am currently running are late 80s truck heads, ported and polished, with 1.88 1.60 valves. those previous times were run with a set of decent holley flowtech headers, but ive got a set of hooker supercomps that are going on during the off season. i have 3" stainless exhaust through flowmasters, but the classes that i run dont require mufflers, and PA has gotten so strict that i cant street it (no cats) so the exhaust is hanging in the garage.

im running a mopar 528/294 cam, 1.5 roller rockers, and stainless 1 piece valves. edelbrock air gap intake, bg race carb with a pro form center section. no air filter, as im running a cold air box under my functional hemi dart SS hood. 3500 8" stall, 4.56 spool, stock suspension setup with stronger leaf springs. i ran my previous best of 12.68 with 4.10 gears, and more weight, but my motor has been together, as is, since 1996. we estimate around 1200 runs, and about 25,000 miles on the motor. its lost some compression, and once the demon is roadworthy, the mirada was GOING to get new rings and bearings...just your basic freshening up, but now that i got the 13.2 to 1 pistons and the stroker kit, when the motor does come apart, it will be getting alot more than just new rings and bearings...

i have a fiberglass hood, trunk lid, and front nose...there is no solid steel reinforcement behind it anymore, just a system of aluminum rails to keep it from sagging. i am running the stock steel bumper, but i also have a stock aluminum bumper (which yours should have if its a 360hp car) that needs some cleaning up..

i dont know how long the demon project will take, but that is the priority now, since the mirada is running ok...and the demon doesnt have a motor in it. im hoping to have the demon at least driveable by next august, and then we will tear into the mirada.

my car also benefits from 50 years of experience from my dad, who has put together this freak of a motor. i have built a 4 cylinder from the ground up, but for the demon, he will be there assisting me, basically making sure that i dont screw anything up on the demon motor. someone once told my dad "that big heavy slug will never run 12s with a small block"...and now we have priced a custom cage...

joedirt77 · 10-25-2006, 07:12 PM

saw your post but did not have time to read all of it. did read the start where you mention 360 miradas are uncommon. the last owner pulled the original 360 to freshen it. the block was apparently cracked, so they built and installed the 340 that was in it when i bought it. my car has the original vacuum diagram that shows a 360 4bbl equipped car. a few people have told me that these cars are rare. a book i got from the library "standard catalog of chrysler" says there were not any 360 miradas. this is of course not true. you said you have a 360 car ? i'll finish reading your post when i get time.

1 Bad Mirada · 10-26-2006, 02:19 PM

i wish that i had a 360 car!

i had two slant six cars, and the one that i race was a factory 318 car, with almost every CMX option shy of the badging. with the 318, we got it into the high 16s, IIRC..it was a long time ago.

Year: Base CMX Total
1980: 23,249 + 5,384 = 28,633
1981: 10,216 + 1,683 = 11,899
1982: 5,344 + 1,474 = 6,818
1983: 3,756 + 1,841 = 5,597
Total: 42,565 +10,382= 52,947

mind you, not all of the 80 CMXs came with 360s, but that was the only year that it was offered. ive only ever seen one in person, and I am probably one of the bigger mirada enthusiasts in the world...haha

joedirt77 · 10-26-2006, 06:05 PM

was considering to build a 365 cube square deck for my car when i first owned it. went so far as to buy some used go fast parts from a local classified newspaper. bought a lunati 520 240/240 hydraulic cam, lifters, adjustable rockers, shafts, push rods, valve springs, etc. bought everything as a package deal, including an intake. went to buy just a trans and converter, but ended up buying all this other stuff. was driving my car daily then, so never built it. since i still have the parts am now thinking i should finish my car...thanks for sharing info about your car. j body cars are cool !

mds2000 · 11-18-2006, 10:01 AM

Am glad to see I am not the only one that likes the Mirada. Was wondering if you could tell me where I might find the rear body parts that surround the tail lights. thanks

1 Bad Mirada · 11-18-2006, 11:12 AM

i know for a fact that i have seen them on ebay...

joedirt77 · 11-20-2006, 07:04 PM

don't want to sound like a broken record, but want to suggest mopar collectors guide magazine- they have tons of monthly classifieds, lots of parts for sale and some good articles. their online address is www.moparcollectorsguide.com . i have seen mirada and square cordoba parts for sale- check out misc. cars post 59.

1 Bad Mirada · 11-23-2006, 04:14 PM

also a good source...

MapleLeaf · 12-27-2006, 12:55 PM

New torsion bars are available or were available as far as I know for A bodies, are there new torsion bars available for J and F bodies?

joedirt77 · 02-25-2007, 04:29 PM

try www.just suspension.com -they have the torsion bars you need- didn't buy a set myself, just saw a listing. there are a couple of j body guys on this site, someone else might have more info. my j body has the factory bars, mounts and adjusters- which are still adjustable today. good luck with your car.

hemidude64 · 06-12-2008, 09:15 AM

Hey Guy's, I'm new to this site and was surprised to see people talking about Mirada's. I have an 81 CMX witht he fake convertible top and it's a pretty decent car. It has the 318 engine and just about every option. A close friend of mine's dad bought it new and I drooled over this car for years, always asking him how my car was doing. I really like the car a lot but plan on selling it soon in an effort to thin the heard. I am very hesitant to throw it on ebay and thought maybe you guys's might have better options on where to go with it. If gas prices keep climbing at such a ridiculous rate I might have to keep it as it gets very good mileage (over 20 mpg). I just can't keep them all. Any advice?

10-21-2006, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	j body fan just recently joined mopar forums. first thing i looked up was j body. really enjoyed seeing pics of your mirada- what a nice car! today saw your car and your message- hoping to find other j body fans. your post is from may, but maybe you will see this anyway. i have an 80 mirada cmx, smallblock car, single exhaust. ran a 16.23 at 89.5 miles per hour. not fast, but a start. hope to see/hear more about your car and other j bodies.

10-23-2006, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	12.62 saw your post- just ran 12.62. that is very healthy for a heavy small block car. you didn't mention miles per hour or 60 ft time. my car is a factory 360 4bbl car, but it had a late (74) 340 in it, small valve heads, cast iron 360 4bbl manifold, stock late manifolds, 1 7/8 single exhaust, a thermoquad and a paper shift kit in the trans (727). the previous owner claimed to have run a 14.56 with headers and a holley carb, but i doubt it. the car has an 8 3/4, 3.91 sure-grip in it (replaces the factory 8 1/4). i had planned to build a 360, but lots of people suggest a big block. would like to hear more about your car and engine build-up.

10-25-2006, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	mirada saw your post but did not have time to read all of it. did read the start where you mention 360 miradas are uncommon. the last owner pulled the original 360 to freshen it. the block was apparently cracked, so they built and installed the 340 that was in it when i bought it. my car has the original vacuum diagram that shows a 360 4bbl equipped car. a few people have told me that these cars are rare. a book i got from the library "standard catalog of chrysler" says there were not any 360 miradas. this is of course not true. you said you have a 360 car ? i'll finish reading your post when i get time.

10-26-2006, 06:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	more mirada was considering to build a 365 cube square deck for my car when i first owned it. went so far as to buy some used go fast parts from a local classified newspaper. bought a lunati 520 240/240 hydraulic cam, lifters, adjustable rockers, shafts, push rods, valve springs, etc. bought everything as a package deal, including an intake. went to buy just a trans and converter, but ended up buying all this other stuff. was driving my car daily then, so never built it. since i still have the parts am now thinking i should finish my car...thanks for sharing info about your car. j body cars are cool !

11-20-2006, 07:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	mirada taillight surrounds don't want to sound like a broken record, but want to suggest mopar collectors guide magazine- they have tons of monthly classifieds, lots of parts for sale and some good articles. their online address is www.moparcollectorsguide.com . i have seen mirada and square cordoba parts for sale- check out misc. cars post 59.

10-23-2006, 08:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
1 Bad Mirada Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	my car hit a new best last weekend...12.62.. i have acquired a stroker kit for it, as well as new pistons. my current pistons are 8.5 to 1, and the new ones are 13.2 to 1, and with the stroker kit, 30 over, ill be at 374 ci. however, we arent going to tear into the mirada motor until the demon is on the road, and it needs an entire engine. i have a 360 laying around that is in great shape, but id like to find a 340 for it...

10-24-2006, 05:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
1 Bad Mirada Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	on the 12.62 run, my trap speed was 104.86...with a 1.67 short time. its a shame that someone pulled the 360 out, as the 360 "hipo miradas" were super rare...ive only ever seen one, and ive owned 3...currently still have two. my motor is a 69 340, but when i got it, it was in bad shape, and it needed pistons. at the age of 16, i couldnt afford good pistons, so we got the cheapest pistons that i could find. they are 8 to 1 compression, 30 over, stock stroke. the heads that i am currently running are late 80s truck heads, ported and polished, with 1.88 1.60 valves. those previous times were run with a set of decent holley flowtech headers, but ive got a set of hooker supercomps that are going on during the off season. i have 3" stainless exhaust through flowmasters, but the classes that i run dont require mufflers, and PA has gotten so strict that i cant street it (no cats) so the exhaust is hanging in the garage. im running a mopar 528/294 cam, 1.5 roller rockers, and stainless 1 piece valves. edelbrock air gap intake, bg race carb with a pro form center section. no air filter, as im running a cold air box under my functional hemi dart SS hood. 3500 8" stall, 4.56 spool, stock suspension setup with stronger leaf springs. i ran my previous best of 12.68 with 4.10 gears, and more weight, but my motor has been together, as is, since 1996. we estimate around 1200 runs, and about 25,000 miles on the motor. its lost some compression, and once the demon is roadworthy, the mirada was GOING to get new rings and bearings...just your basic freshening up, but now that i got the 13.2 to 1 pistons and the stroker kit, when the motor does come apart, it will be getting alot more than just new rings and bearings... i have a fiberglass hood, trunk lid, and front nose...there is no solid steel reinforcement behind it anymore, just a system of aluminum rails to keep it from sagging. i am running the stock steel bumper, but i also have a stock aluminum bumper (which yours should have if its a 360hp car) that needs some cleaning up.. i dont know how long the demon project will take, but that is the priority now, since the mirada is running ok...and the demon doesnt have a motor in it. im hoping to have the demon at least driveable by next august, and then we will tear into the mirada. my car also benefits from 50 years of experience from my dad, who has put together this freak of a motor. i have built a 4 cylinder from the ground up, but for the demon, he will be there assisting me, basically making sure that i dont screw anything up on the demon motor. someone once told my dad "that big heavy slug will never run 12s with a small block"...and now we have priced a custom cage...

10-26-2006, 02:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
1 Bad Mirada Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	i wish that i had a 360 car! i had two slant six cars, and the one that i race was a factory 318 car, with almost every CMX option shy of the badging. with the 318, we got it into the high 16s, IIRC..it was a long time ago. Year: Base CMX Total 1980: 23,249 + 5,384 = 28,633 1981: 10,216 + 1,683 = 11,899 1982: 5,344 + 1,474 = 6,818 1983: 3,756 + 1,841 = 5,597 Total: 42,565 +10,382= 52,947 mind you, not all of the 80 CMXs came with 360s, but that was the only year that it was offered. ive only ever seen one in person, and I am probably one of the bigger mirada enthusiasts in the world...haha

11-18-2006, 10:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
mds2000 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2	Am glad to see I am not the only one that likes the Mirada. Was wondering if you could tell me where I might find the rear body parts that surround the tail lights. thanks

11-18-2006, 11:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
1 Bad Mirada Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	i know for a fact that i have seen them on ebay...

11-23-2006, 04:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
1 Bad Mirada Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 81	also a good source...

12-27-2006, 12:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
MapleLeaf Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2	New torsion bars are available or were available as far as I know for A bodies, are there new torsion bars available for J and F bodies?

02-25-2007, 04:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
joedirt77 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 63	try www.just suspension.com -they have the torsion bars you need- didn't buy a set myself, just saw a listing. there are a couple of j body guys on this site, someone else might have more info. my j body has the factory bars, mounts and adjusters- which are still adjustable today. good luck with your car.

06-12-2008, 09:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
hemidude64 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	81 Mirada CMX Hey Guy's, I'm new to this site and was surprised to see people talking about Mirada's. I have an 81 CMX witht he fake convertible top and it's a pretty decent car. It has the 318 engine and just about every option. A close friend of mine's dad bought it new and I drooled over this car for years, always asking him how my car was doing. I really like the car a lot but plan on selling it soon in an effort to thin the heard. I am very hesitant to throw it on ebay and thought maybe you guys's might have better options on where to go with it. If gas prices keep climbing at such a ridiculous rate I might have to keep it as it gets very good mileage (over 20 mpg). I just can't keep them all. Any advice?

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