318 would like to go all in

[JustCurious]

Just recently picked up a 1974 dodge charger and I am looking at going all in and do it right the first time. I know its not the highly sought after 68-69 but I think I could make this my baby.


Currently have a 318 in it and I would like to squeeze out as much as possible while making the most sense of the build. I know what you are thinking why not drop a 360 or find a 440 or heck LS swap it.. well reason why that’s all a no is this is a numbers matching all original car and I would like for it to stay closer to stock but upgrade and make it a little more modern and fun. So if I ever needed to sell it wouldn’t kill the value. Currently I don’t have a budget but looking at getting quotes and some advice so I can put one together.. it wouldn’t surprise me if I put 10k in just the engine for reference.


Here is the biggest kicker and what everyone is going to laugh at me about. I don’t care about going fast at the track, it may see it once in a blue moon. More so being a partial daily driver, 3-4 times a week maybe.


Dad loves the sound of a large LSA cam, you know the real choppy idle.

The plan is for him to get to keep it some as well since it will be our project and I may even give it to him.


Thoughts:


318 stroke to 392? Or 4XX?

Largest yet most functional cam

2” headers/exhaust

Different heads or either major port polish work?

Forged internals? Not sure if needed or not.

I need it to be reasonably reliable.. for a several hour trip or even cross country

Fuel inject it


Trans work? Need to really find out what exactly is in it and the rear that it has.


Wide tires in the back.. to me that’s between 305s-375s I am okay with a mini tube.. don’t really want to cut up the frame much unless I pull the body and it needs major work anyway then that may be a different story.



I am sure I am missing a few things that I will think of later..


What are your thoughts?

 

[747mopar]

I have nothing against a 318 but it isn't like having a numbers watching 318 adds much if any added value at all, your pretty well at the bottom of the barrel on value already. If you want to stick with the 318 boost is always nice. 2" headers on a 318, a lot of BB only run 1 7/8"....

From what I'm reading your plans don't match the intended use, largest functional cam and cross country. Large cams move the useable power into higher rpm's resulting in the need to run numerically higher gear ratios to keep the engine in it's rpm range, more gear means lousy freeway cruising with the engine sceaming.

Plan the intended use and build the engine around it.

 

[SDCoronet]

If she is running good don't mess with her. Maybe add a dual exhaust to get a good sound.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I agree with above. The FIRST thing I would do is to put in a 8-3/4" rear end to take any extra power you make (keep stock rear end). Then do one of the following.
Plan A --> Add a 4-barrel & some headers
Plan B --> Pull original motor (keep it) and put in a 360 (maybe stroked)
Plan C --> Pull engine & trans and install a big block

 

[Smokinnjokin]

If it has an 8.25 rear end already, drop in a used sure-grip for fun factor. Plenty strong rear end for small block, and you can get sure-grip pumpkins for pretty cheap. I vote keep the 318, they sound great with cam and headers!

 

[BeatersRus]

hi,heres my thoughts and btw,im kinda blunt so no offense intended here.
rebuilding your original 318 is a waste of time and money.

and I would like for it to stay closer to stock but upgrade and make it a little more modern and fun. So if I ever needed to sell it wouldn’t kill the value.

okay,take the 318 out,
go get you a 318 magnum at the yard dirt cheap and build That and put it back in the charger.
why a magnum 318??
because it has the Best heads flow and roller cam right from the start.
it will bolt right back in all you will need is a fuel pump and pressure regulator to run it.
which,if you want to stuff a big cam in it,you would want anyways.
the most expensive part of the swap is the intake.

put the original motor in the corner call it good.
if you decide to sell the car,swap it back in or sell it with the car,up to you.
considering you are thinking about giving it to your dad ( way cool )
i wouldnt bother at all w the original motor besides storing it safely.

 

[JustCurious]

I would only take offense if any of you blatantly called me out on my ideas and said I was stupid and don’t need to touch it because I don’t know what I’m doing.


Which would only be partially true

I am not familiar at all with mopar, thanks for the suggestions thus far.

If I’m tossing the idea of putting the original back in then a damn sure don’t want to put another small block in it.. sucker is a 5600# ish car.

So if I scrapped that idea what would be a good option? Or is the magnum 318 the best option?

I can do fab and custom stuff.

As to the confusion on large cam and cross country that was poor use of words. I just need to be able to drive it 2-3 hours away if I need too

 

[IQ52]

Hmm, a 1974 Dodge Charger at 5600#? Does it have a 2000# stereo system?

 

[JustCurious]

Pretty sure that’s what the sticker said, maybe I’m mistaken

 

[BeatersRus]

no worries you have landed on a forum where there is a Lot of very smart people,
with lots of experience.
( that know way more than i do )

see,heres the rub,youll have mad money into a big block swap.
its a package deal,one thing leads to another type scenario.
everything ends up getting beefed or replaced.

orrr,you could keep the small block Idea,build it up
300hp is like a start for a magum,very close
compared to throwing a lot of money at the earlier La motor you have,
just to Get to 300.

seeing as you realize this is a fat pig lol cough big car.( i do love them )
id say this to you instead.
go with the 360 magnum instead,youll get your torque and power you need,
altho,it wont be as good on gas.
the only other item you would end up needing is a torque convertor thats weighed for the transmission in your car.
im guessing its a longtail 727,this is a common vertor to get,not too expensive

also,dont go higher than 3:23 on the gears.,esp if you drive for hours at a time.

 

[JustCurious]

GVWR 5330 can’t never keep all that in line.. but either way it’s a heavier car

 

[BeatersRus]

1971-1974 Dodge Charger: Past the classic cars
Name 1971-74 2006
Length 205” 200”
Height 53” 58”
Width 79” 74.5”
Weight 3,460 lb 3,800+ lb

the 5330 is load carrying capacity.

this is guesswork from where im sitting but
your car probably has a 8-1/4 rear one wheeled wonder.
also,there is no frame to take off,the only frame that can come off the car is the front k member.
allow me this opportunity to tell you how mopar used Rubber bushings between the k frame and the actual body on these cars.
Inspect Yours for Rot,replace with Solid/pre 73 bushings instead.

o and hey,i bet you were expecting this one..lol

 

[Fervantmender]

I’m finding this thread quite interesting.
I have my cousins 73 satlite wit 318 stored here at my house. We often talked about what he should do with the motor in it because I think they come stock with a whopping 150hp.
I owned a 99 Dakota with a 318 magnum I’m thinking 4600lbs, loved the power.
I think I will suggest that to him.
Anyways if you were planning on dropping 10k in it anyway how cool would a 318 magnum with super charger be.

 

[JustCurious]

Hey I have pics in the intro! But I do need to get some more!

Also I didn’t know you couldn’t separate the frame! I haven’t looked yet either it won’t stop raining!

 

[BeatersRus]

for your basic backyard swaps

just go grab a known or running motor,check the compression etc etc,
then buy it and

get a cam,timing chain a Good one a waterpump and a full gasket set
wires,plugs,a Good coil setup,and a Known good carb.
get all your fluids,which you would have needed either way.
get a 4bbl intake for a Magnum < this is your priciest piece.
if you go 360 you will need a Car oil pan for your motor,and car motor mounts.
i think?? the stock 318 pan will work on the magnum 318.

Trans
if you go 360,get a 360 convertor,if you stay 318 you can reuse your stock vertor,
But,if you put a big cam in,you should change the vertor to Match the cam anyways.
now put dual exhaust on the car,some decent mufflers with Backpressure.
and away youll go with a huge smile on your face and some gas money still in your pocket.

 

[Lelo 500]

the only other item you would end up needing is a torque convertor thats weighed for the transmission in your car.
im guessing its a longtail 727,this is a common vertor to get,not too expensive

also,dont go higher than 3:23 on the gears.,esp if you drive for hours at a time.

A 360 magnum's balance is in the harmonic balancer and the flexplate not in the torque converter like a 360 LA.

 

[BeatersRus]

A 360 magnum's balance is in the harmonic balancer and the flexplate not in the torque converter like a 360 LA.

blammo! and this is why i say smarter people than myself.
ty Lelo !!

 

[Evan Frucht]

what's the condition of the car currently, did you just acquire it. Does it run well as is?

is the '74 318 a low compression motor stock? Honestly I'm a "keep it original" type of guy but for what your doing and it sounds like your trying to have fun and considering you are prepared to throw money into rebuilding an engine. Buy another engine or engine/trans combo, and rebuild it while you drive the car and fix other stuff. even a different 318. but honestly I think if you rebuilt a 440 or maybe 383, or even 360 big block in there you be thrilled with the result.

and I've learned no one gives a **** about matching numbers on these cars unless its big block or four speed (having it come with both of those originally is the best combo as far as resale value/desirability)… for example it would be worth more to someone most likely if it had a 440, even though it wouldn't be original anymore.

personally I think its neat when a car this old retains the original engine, but that's all it is really... a cool factor.

even though you say you don't care about being fast (and neither do I really... I never go to the track or anything) but you must agree that a quick car is fun.

either way sound like you got a fun project ahead

good luck !

 

[JustCurious]

Currently it doesn’t run been sitting closed up in a metal shop building since about 92-93. Hasn’t moved or been turned over since. That’s why I was so adamant about going all in the first time around.

Any reason not to go EFI? I keep seeing a 4 barrel mentioned.

Just learning take er easy on me ha

I’m now leaning towards bigger and better. Maybe not hellcat swap yet but that did cross my mind for a split second.

 

[Evan Frucht]

Currently it doesn’t run been sitting closed up in a metal shop building since about 92-93. Hasn’t moved or been turned over since. That’s why I was so adamant about going all in the first time around.

Any reason not to go EFI? I keep seeing a 4 barrel mentioned.

Just learning take er easy on me ha

I’m now leaning towards bigger and better. Maybe not hellcat swap yet but that did cross my mind for a split second.

going EFI would be more complicated and expensive that the 4 barrel route. but if you wanted to go that route I'm sure people here could tell you the benefits of that. I've never done an EFI conversion. I'm guessing you will get different throttle response and better gas mileage. it would run like a newer engine maybe...