FINALLY FIXING THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST 2JZ-SWAPPED DODGE CHARGER!!!

In Episode 191 of Mike Finnegan's Garage, we finally address the elephant in the room; the unsafe handling of our 1968 Dodge Charger. We call it Death Metal cause everything about this car is sketchy, and while exciting, it's not always fun to drive because the car constantly wants to crash. Our plan is to replace all of the front suspension, the steering and the brakes in an effort to make the car fun and safe but of course, things don't always go as planned.
What began was a relatively simple bolt-on front k-member and coilover/disc brake conversion from QA1, turned into a much larger project, which is why we had to call in reinforcements!
Kevin Smith from KSR Fabrication / ksrperformancefabrication dropped by to give us a hand once we realized that a previous owner of Death Metal had relocated the upper control arm mounts and we had no clue where they needed to be moved to in order to get a proper front end alignment after the new suspension was bolted in place. Stay tuned for even more content about this ridiculously fun car on this channel and Kevin's KZbin channel and for more info about the parts we used, go here: qa1.net/Finnegan
and here:
www.wilwood.co...
To help support our bad decisions, please head to our site and grab some new apparel for yourself or someone you love. thanks!
www.fsmgarage....
-Finnegan

[@chipanzee7507]

I love the joint effort with Kevin. Between you, cleetus, Derek and others he gets the fame and recognition he deserves. Such an amazing fabricator, and knowledgeable man. Thanks fin!

[@magniac3955]

He really is a genius under the hood and on the track especially what he is able to make vehicles do. Things they were never meant to do.

[@ccrockyhorses98]

Right on

[@dalegnodle]

Not to mention one hell of a race car driver!

[@FishingWithJames-is7iv]

I love that even with all the money that goes into production of the various shows you still get mice in your garage like the rest of us. Saw the little guy run by the garage door at 17:25.

[@techs1smh13]

Good eyes. 😂

[@DopeLobbies]

I saw it also, i was thinking hes got a mouse in his garage

[@midwestdave33]

Haha nice!

[@imacaryay7628]

He needs a shop cat lol

[@HellmuthsHotRods]

I seent it.

[@DM-wp9vq]

This episode is all "Disrespected Nose" style (Mighty Car Mods reference for those who don't know), and I love it!!! It's helpful to see what actually goes on when doing work like this. Thank you guys for always making great videos!

[@rotorhead5000]

Came to the comments to say the exact same thing. The disrespected nose format video always brings it home for me, sounds just like all the hemming, hawing, and slow progress that happens out in my shop.

[@sam_s_]

What is that?

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

@@sam_s_ It's a style

[@rotorhead5000]

@@sam_s_ it's a video where they do longer individual shots (no cuts) where the only sound is whatever is going on or being talked about, and without music overlay, a lot more candid, like you are actually standing there in the shop watching what's going on. A minimally produced video,I guess is a good way to describe it.

[@rancherokee2511]

@@rotorhead5000 I have to say I love it a lot more more that now that there's someone editing the audio so we can actually hear Finnegan 😂

[@tx350z]

Finn carries the magnetic bolt tray to the car, Newbern carries it back to the table. Finn goes to table and carries it back to the car... (Now OCD has kicked in and I'm watching the bolt tray)

[@danrosenello4847]

I was watching that too ! I was waiting for Newbern to take it back ! 😂

[@FinnegansGarage]

i didnt notice. lol

[@jvepps]

KSR is a legit awesome channel. Insane how fast its growing. Good work goes a long way.

[@thedude7726]

Ksr is the man. Ive met him in person and is super chill

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Kevin brings a lot to the table for a lot of people.

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

I love how y’all made it go fast first, then much later considered making it stop and turn. 😂

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

The only way. Your brain knows it’s wrong, but your heart makes you do it, then necessity dictates that you make it not kill you once you’ve made it fast.

[@thedude7726]

Its funny i just did that with my coleman mini bike

[@Jenuin]

It’s car guy logic LoL 😂 don’t question it LoL

[@jwilliams703]

It is the way.. My LS swaped subi was and still is mostly a death trap. but now its fast and stupid im taking some of the death out of it.

[@ghomerhust]

all the priorities, dammit! haha

[@michaels.ramsey7803]

Kevin is a good friend, he saw the impending catastrophe and said, "Yeah naw, F that".

[@robertjohnson4784]

Wow what a awesome Sunday morning get to watch a Finnigan's garage video 47 minutes of pure joy. Love what you guys do

[@FinnegansGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertjohnson4784]

@@FinnegansGarage Hey brother I'm getting these replies from the perfect body channels and others I don't want them if you can block them please do so I have myself also

[@jackthatmonkey8994]

@@robertjohnson4784 All of KZbin is plagued by these bots. Blocking them is futile work, because new accounts are made very quickly and you can do it all over again

[@oldanslo]

Remember folks, if you have questionable brakes the place to test them are on public roads where failure sends you into cross traffic. Smashing into other cars will bring you to a stop.

[@naughtmeenaym869]

Thanks for inviting Kevin to help and get more exposure. He deserves it.

[@barrishautomotive]

I struggled to keep my stroker Jeep cool for years. I tried all kinds of stuff. The demon tweak was the fan shroud. Once I made a nicer, tighter shroud the cooling problems went away.

[@TitoRigatoni]

yeah I used to think the shroud was there mostly to protect the fan from fingers and such. It is not, it is a crucial part of the cooling system.

[@leemiracle6840]

Yeah, my dad had a 454 chevy truck that ran hot, he changed everything, pump, thermostat, radiator, then he saw my Hotrod magazine with a. Article on cooling systems. He read it and saw that the fan was sitting in the shroud wrong, got the right spacers for the fan a d bingo, cool running.

[@philliplangley9302]

It was great to see Kevin come in and help out. 👍

[@SpyderGarage]

Best part was hearing the history of the car's previous owner and then picturing him on the track riding along with James. Hits right in the feels!

[@mathieusynnott8915]

Nice to see Kevin as a guest to help. But while you are there, since this car is made to go sideways just try to figure out how much angle you can get before the wheel hits control arms

[@gtmotorsports937]

Looks like in the last few moments Kevin already had the upper control arm mounts finished! Now we wait!! Can’t wait to see it all together!

[@FinnegansGarage]

next vid will be out next sunday. you'll see how we fixed it and then test drove it.

[@shadowred1980]

Looking forward to the updates on both this channel and KSR. Kevin such a good guy to have on a project.

[@chevelle5014]

Thank you all the way from New Zealand for still putting out content for us KZbin fans even with all your other commitments

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

That's a great garage project. Nothing too crazy, but still super involved and not many people can disagree with a 2J 68 Charger 😮

[@SledPrn6]

Anyone else notice the mouse go running by the garage door between 17:24- 17:27? Edit: Apparently Dave noticed it haha, love the slow-mo of the mouse running haha.

[@RoB_666_]

Death metal charger lives up to it's name....tries to take Fin's hand and he's not even behind the wheel!!! 😂

[@Gofunkel1]

@@lilorbielilorbie2496 I was watching Newbern start getting ready to loosen that bar, and thought it was in line with Mike's head.

[@lancoshotrodgarage2858]

Thanks for the always entertaining videos. Glad to see Kevin involved he's a wealth of knowledge!

[@stoveguy2133]

Surprised k member bolted on. Good. Upper mounts fubar? Check. Next step? Ah, Kevin fixed them.

[@KHALABEEB]

Kevin might be the P4P Goat of Mechanics and Fab daddies

[@brandonmacisaac240]

What’s up fellas!!! Hello from Spokane. Hey Mike, last time you were up here with Death Metal, I’m the dude who rolled up in the big black truck and said hi to you and TA. You and Dave should bring that thing back up when your totally done with her. I’m finishing up my 65’ Coronet 500. I’ve been building it for about 5yrs now. Should be done by mid-late summer. Let’s go cruise to a car show! Tell Steve and David to come up too (I’d love to have them pick it apart bc I tried to make it look as OE as possible) Hahaha. You guys could Hit Dirtfish or go out wheelin w/ Chapelle. We got a lake house with 50 acres on Long Lake, you could bring your boat/boats, we got a dock and boat launch. We have a pontoon boat and a wakeboard boat, tons of cold beer and fun family. I got a brand new 29’ camper parked on the water you guys can crash in. Hit me up! Let’s party!!! Either way man, glad to see you guy still wrenching on that thing. Looks ready to do dumb shit!!!

[@Mynextproject_74]

I gotta say, I'm a legit Mopar need and I approve the 2JZ!

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Same here. It's a Japanese crossflow Hemi Six :)

[@americanrambler4972]

A 2JZ 6 is just a properly tuned slanty 6. It’s just a early version of the new Hurricane 6 coming down the on-ramp.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

It does rev like a 170 HyperPak,....

[@qshank2752]

Do whatever you want i say. I'm putting a Barra in my Mopar after having almost every possible original engine config my car came with.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@qshank2752 Which Mopar? I'm thinking Jeep 3.8 V6 in a VC Valiant, because 100kilos off the nose, and more top end then my 225 HyperPak. Barra in a VH Charger would be a riot.

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Thank you for doing the testing. I know most folks don't bother but it really is nice to get the comparison. I know we all appreciate you, you legend. 🤙🏾

[@brandongreene3213]

hell yeah! glad you're bringing KSR back in on this

[@sniffle23]

As someone who works in the ER every weekend. We just smile and nod... we hear so much craziness, it doesn't phase us anymore.

[@mroptical1982]

Awesome episode can't wait to see the finished front-end. My heart skipped a beat when that pipe just missed your hand. Wishing everyone there well Take Care Guys

[@moparconnection]

LOL! The whole staff at Mopar Connection Magazine have been laughing our heads off at this build. IT'S GREAT!

[@ericfaley9019]

Your magazine needs to do an article on this car. Title , What Not To do to a 68 Charger!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

How to destroy an value in a mopar

[@moparconnection]

@@Welcometofacsistube Yeah, but any perceived value in an original '68 Charger was already LONG GONE before Finn got involved. Anything they do here is demonstrably better than catapulting another rotted General Lee clone into oblivion.

[@moparconnection]

@@ericfaley9019 but as insane as it seems, it was pretty common "back in the day." How many B-body Mopars met their fate on local/regional dirt and circle tracks? (A whole bunch)

[@filupondeznuts6732]

Mopar must've seen Finn's video... why else would they put the new Hurricane engines 😅

[@MrGixxer1300r]

Awesome content Mike. You and Kevin are my favorite channels to watch so it is a treat to see you guys working together, and sharing content. I look forward to seeing future content on this upgrade.

[@MX304]

The brotherhood of the traveling tool tray.

[@coonlakebackwoods]

Love seeing you making drivetrain improvements to Death Metal. Also, love that you're keeping it real and working off of jackstands in your garage. Makes the hobby still seem attainable!

[@newklear2k]

Tetanus that steers, what we all want in life.

[@davidmackieson4609]

Said every rat rod owner ever

[@JR-kf5op]

Clamydia rollcage😬

[@ericvansickle2803]

I'm glad that you're putting money into Death Metal and 'fixing' it up. I love watching it and General Mayhem. I'm not crazy about the 2JZ swap but it's your car, do it how you want it. I love watching the progress!

[@Fabrice1970]

Love that you get Kevin involved

[@mattcassel6031]

Oh yeah Kevin at ksr and Finnegan's garage ultimate power couple

[@MrTazLewis]

I remember when Roadkill first came out. I remember when Finnegan started to build Game Over on this channel. Always loved how I felt like I was just watching videos of me and my buddies on our own adventures.

[@FinnegansGarage]

Thanks for watching all these years. i appreciate ya.

[@MrTazLewis]

@@FinnegansGarage How can I not? You guys make me feel like I'm there with you.

[@DeadReckon]

Buddy of mine that was in the army from about 1998 to 2008 got badly injured in an explosion, hence his medical discharge in 2008. He had a titanium plate in the top of his head, and we were working on this ratty 70's bug eye Cordoba he had, swapping the 318 out for a 360 while swapping in a better clutch for the 4 speed. While fighting out the drive shaft, he dropped it on his head, and it peeled back part of his forehead revealing the plate that was installed when he got blown up and his skull got a bit rearranged. The nurse at the ER asked "Okay, what's a drive... Shaft...?" when my buddy explained to her the injury. My buddy, who I didn't know before he was discharged but whom I am assured has always been a bit uh, unhinged, just started laughing while his head was bleeding and his Terminator skull plate was showing. Sufficed to say, we had plenty of available seating in that side of the ER haha.

[@meerkat9113]

22:47 Whew! You even handed him the tools to loosen the bar lmao

[@thekevorlando]

I like the safety third***** or 10th where you go speeding towards the stop sign in the four-lane road LOL good stuff brother

[@Veikra]

I enjoyed the whole stationnary camera on the roof. It's just like hanging out with other car guys but im the one doing nothing for a change :D

[@dball87]

I didn’t really dig this car at first but it’s become one of my favorites as you build it for nothing else but fun. Not looks not opinions, just fun.

[@baldysquattro]

Finnegan's New T-Shirt Quote "I will drag race anything"

[@strato_5459]

normally when i see like an RB mustang or something like this, usually the JDM sound doesnt bother me, but when the rpms pick up and the turbo spools i can not believe that sound is coming from that. so awesome

[@NorthstarRiders]

I like that you thrashed the original version and now you are going through this car and bit by bit making it better.

[@amfinc2]

I like the cross-channel comradery. It's nice to see the channels I watch for their own skills coming together to make cool junk. Thanks Mike.

[@i_fudg3d_my_pants]

Love the joint effort with KSR

[@HellmuthsHotRods]

I personally find it satisfying to see old projects get "cleaned up" instead of just thrashed together and then rolled out in the rain and forgotten.

[@poordecisionsgarage9834]

Lol I was thinking 'I hope he holds that bar before he loosens that bolt'. WHAM!!!

[@Onthecrest]

22:53 Fin’s hand…holy crap…got that chill run down my spine when that catch “can” bar slammed down. 😱

[@desertmopars3336]

Honestly David gave this videos title a whole new dimension. Between the strut bar and the suspension drop...LOL

[@msnapp169]

Love how your worried about the coolant temp but yet it's screaming low oil pressure at you

[@thedude7726]

If you have ksr working on this , its gunna be perfect. That guy is my second favorite automotive channel besides yours

[@halbritt]

"Transmission fell.... on my face." I died.

[@dantiegen5622]

I don't think Kevin sleeps, that guy helps everyone.

[@andrewfletcher5584]

It's been a long time since I have rewound and watched parts of a video over again. From the bar missed hand by inches, and a huh almost falling in a lap, this is an awesome video!! Love it all

[@snakeskinproductions7500]

Shout out to KSR. If anyone can get death metal dialed its Keven. Oh, and you and Dave did a good job too...😁

[@neilfairless4589]

Great advert for QA1 because if it can fix this, imagine what it would do for a standard car.

[@bobmrkus3185]

Kevin is the right man to call in!

[@tripprogers4814]

That steering wheel is so big in death metal that you almost look comfortable behind it… Like Morgan Freeman driving Miss Daisy “I need to make water now Miss Daisy!”

[@CanadaBud23]

You can add 10' feet to that since brakes don't lock instantaneously. I guessed at about 160 ft to be accurate.

[@Binford2500]

Yeah totally agree. Would be surprised if it was more.

[@AGPullen]

Anyone else notice the mouse at 17:25 scurry next to the garage door? 🤣🤣

[@kiphead_ix6253]

Q/A session for Finnegans Garage?

[@koopametalpack]

I absolutely love that nobody moved the plastic thingy from getting smashed by the giant steel stuff falling on it twice

[@justinmckee2256]

I’m a mopar guy but there’s no tears here. Powers where it’s at anyways

[@justbuggin67]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate 2 things: 1. Finnegan still does this content for free. Well, he just films him and his buddies having fun. And: 2. After all the sponsors, shop tools, etc. this man still trusts his life with a jack from Harbor Freight. They are men of the people right there.

[@patricklopez1799]

"I hate to scratch it." Cue Finnegan ramping the car off some railroad tracks because he just can't help himself.

[@michaelpeace716]

I saw that strut bar fall coming a mile away! LOL. I was screaming at my screen “watch it watch it watch it!” LOL

[@formerpilgrim4934]

Thanks for the content, we’re learning as you go.

[@josepharthur2338]

At 23 mins, it’s like the car was angry you were making it safer so wanted to take your hand as a memento

[@Volcomkrew2]

Rename this to “flat spotting a new set of tires to show that our old brakes suck” 😂😂

[@irav4u]

I remember when a certain someone got bashed in the face thrashing Blasphemi by Tony- when that bar dropped I saw deja vu all over again. Also, it was neat when Freiberger said in the Sick Week Roadkill episode that KSR was Roadkill's home away from home in that part of the country.

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Oh yeah. Thanks for using decent music too. It's nice and helps the videos for sure. 🤙🏾

[@Joe-mo2he]

Kevin needs a Finnegan's Garage hockey jersey so he can fully embody the shared name.

[@joeoski3417]

that mouse ran right when 2JZ is said lol.

[@mikeevans8113]

I know you have a life and a family and stuff to do but your channel is my favorite channel to watch !!!!

[@sespeedshop]

Kevin is one of the great my friend! Awesome to see you two working more together.

[@saleenmav]

That’s the Gerst suspension system that QA1 bought from Carl Gerst. IMO it’s the best front end system for Mopars. Amazing upgrade.

[@jacobrohlinger9038]

“You’re talking to a mini trucker dude”🤣

[@donloder1]

We might not high when the accident happened but we sure as hell high on adrenaline during that ER session lol

[@gcrauwels941]

Here it is I was laughing about your 'data' comment earlier and was thinking, 'He got that from Kevin', and lo and behold, the man himself shows up. 😆

[@whyrde7241]

Just want to say appreciate your efforts. Motivation for my own projects!

[@whyrde7241]

oh and Caddy update?

[@truckladders4104]

Great Video The mouses agent may want two pieces of cheese for next appearance! in defence of Joe Berry the original builder He as you have mentioned on other videos built it in a Barn on a dirt budget. He probably didn’t have any instruction on what he was doing It is a testament to how far the industry has come that you can get all the parts and pieces. Great video

[@joeblow2063]

From the first time I saw this car, I could hear Dylan McCool's cries of anguish.... hahaha

[@theschultz-ster]

this is Dave, He is Mikes "right hand" man!

[@LilRedExpressLloyd]

Mike I was yelling up here in Flintstone (south of Chattanooga) but you didn't hear me before the bar fell ! I'll yell louder next time. Lol

[@ForeverNeverwhere1]

I once tried to make an insurance claim saying I crashed my car trying to avoid a rampaging African bull elephant, in Surrey UK. I ended up not bothering due to the crazy excess on the policy. True story, every word. No one will ever believe me though.

[@parentsbasement7734]

I think most of us have "swerved for a deer" but ya got me beat with elephant

[@ForeverNeverwhere1]

@Mike they were one day in my yoof anyway. One of the circuses wintered in Chertsey, they were getting an elephant used to the noisy traffic by taking it for a walk up the main road. It got spooked, but not as much as I did.

[@JD-eo7dr]

@Mike rampant elephants sound like a night out round here. Should see the women round here🤷

[@genesmith7151]

My sister worked in an ER! Some of the stories she would tell us were hilarious! 🤣

[@lyndonwortley6329]

As I'm watching the video with the Charger sitting with the hood reclining on the windscreen, can't help but think that the hood looks like it has had construction traffic driving over it for a few days..... suits the car! Cheers for another cool vid.

[@columbusracer]

I actually foreshadowed that to happen right when he put the wrench on the nut at 22:48 😂

[@randoawesomemix9501]

38:35-Holy booger weld Batman! Lol.

[@Dwendele]

Damn, I was yelling at my phone when Dave put the wrenches on that bar! The BAM! I just knew we were gonna see gore.

[@randyneveu2487]

17:27 you got a mouse in the garage bro 😂

[@crankysports]

You are fueling my desire to get my 53 Bel Air gasser done!

[@erikrapoport7318]

Nothing was accomplished, glad to see I'm not the only one!

[@Z06RFan]

That is a great upgrade for your car. What about maybe getting AMD involved ? They are in Gainsville, GA. When you want to improve the car some more as it has been cut up a lot.

[@Sean-Jones-bluecheckmark]

I watch the videos for Bo. There needs to be more Bo in the videos. Thanks for you content.

[@mikeherrschaft7167]

Wow! I saw that happening! Reminded me of when Tony clocked you!

[@HellmuthsHotRods]

The drum brakes are YOLO, you only left one!