s part of the “Big Three” US carmakers, Chrysler is nearing 100 years in churning out some of the most iconic cars. With facilities set up in Australia in the 1950s, models like the Valiant proved to be favourites among drivers not biting the Ford or Holden bullet. Thousands of cars with the famous 265 Hemi were made, and today are highly sought after for their pure driving allure. With sister companies Dodge and Jeep, the company returned Down Under in the mid-1990s with brand staples like the 300, Crossfire and Sebring.
The mix of homegrown Oldtimers and newer imports paints an interesting collage of cars bearing the Chrysler logo. Newer cars, of course, will have all the new tech and electronics paired with more grunt, but may not have the nostalgic appeal of locally produced cars. Either way, if you’re lucky to have the keys to cars donning the Chrysler wings, there are a range of Chrysler replacement parts to keep those Hemis turning.
Replacement Parts for the Valiant
The locally-made Valiant saw models spanning over twenty years, but it was the fourth generation VH and VJ hardtop variants, along with the Chrysler Valiant Panel Van from the early 1970s that saw the most love. These are also the models that are best kept today. The stock 265 Hemi might be down on power by today’s standards, producing 95 kW from the 4300 cubic cc engine, but low-down torque creating the characteristic Hemi rumble was what got heads turning.
If you’re rebuilding a Valiant, or other models from the same era, there’s a range of genuine Chrysler replacement parts that will up horsepower and get the back tyres burning. Besides the 265, the smaller displacement 245 Hemi is also a good starting point in any performance project. Swapping out the valves in the 245 with the bigger 265 valves was one way drivers increased compression ratios in the day. Complete rocker arm and pushrod kits also help in this respect. Next comes the valves covers to retain the oil inside, paired with a valve cover gasket. Moving up, rebuilders can choose from a range of camshafts with different profiles, to get the valves moving and create a little overlay for better consumption and more power.
Bottom end parts replaced in Valiant models also include tougher performance additions, like modified piston ring sets for better sealing, and forged pistons complete with gudgeon pins and pin locks. These shed some weight over stock pistons while taking a beating. Heated treated, high strength connecting rods are the next logical step when swapping out the internals. You can go all the way with a revised crankshaft and bearings for increased performance and reliability and a bespoke harmonic dampener to smooth out vibrations.
Other parts to consider are better air intakes, modified manifolds and throttle bodies. Some builders are ditching the carb to go with electronic fuel injection complete with upgraded fuel injectors for optimised ignition timing and more pressure from high flow injectors to get the pistons awake. If you’ve come this far, complete the picture with an ECU tune to get everything in balance. Arun on the dyno will give you a smile.
Of course, you can tune the Valiant for a plusher ride by changing the suspension setup, swapping the drums for disc brakes and calipers and giving the Hemi more breathing space with a straighter, wider exhaust. Mix and match replacement Chrysler parts with care to get the best gains in handling, ride, speed and street presence.
Parts for the 300
The 300 became popular in the states in the mid-2000s and was soon imported to Australia. Models still on sale include the 300c and 300 SRT with bigger 5.7 and 6.4 V8s. These can be seen as a progression of the 245 Hemi in the Valiant, but have way more grunt. Buyers can get more power by adding performance piston and conrod kits combined with high flow short and long fuel injectors. The engines can take more air in, and there are SRTs fitted with faster-spooling turbochargers that reach 1000 bhp without breaking a sweat. Here you’ll also need to swap out the exhaust for better airflow, and throw in a performance intake with cotton air filters.
Retailers also sell replacement body parts, so if you get caught up in a crash, these are easy to find. Most buyers though want to add some bling to their road yacht, starting with bigger alloys, custom license plates and frames, and a complete chrome kit that takes care of side mirrors, handles and headlight bezels. Practicality can also be improved, and there are heaps of parts for the 300. Look to LEDs in the headlights, put in a tow bar for hauling, and a pair of roof racks don’t look out of place on the 300 wagons. Cheap aftermarket options don’t miss out on quality and fit the 300 well.
Chrysler might not be a household name Down Under, but with the brand making its way back, there are dozens of retailers that cater to all the parts you might need, be it the Valiant or newer imports like the 300.
