400 big block

[71Charger1996]

I have 1971 Charger with a 400 Big Block. It will haul ass by itself but I'm tired of all of my friends that love the "Pieces of Chevy." Any very cheap advice so I can show them the meaning of a true Mopar.

[JB400]

Welcome to the forum   What's your combination?  What aftermarket goodies do you have?

[71Charger1996]

I have only had it about a year now. I've personally never been past the valve covers. It does about 96 in the 1/4. Im sitting in my Vo-Tech class as i type getting crap from my Chevy friends.

[71Charger1996]

Thank you for the welcome by the way. Its nice to talk to some mopar guys. I mean she will go by herself but I've been beat by a new chevy truck with a programmer and a 2011 G6. I've learned to race since then but I'd like to be able to brag and back it up for sure

[ralley72]

Welcome to the site. There always room for another 3rd gen. Post some pictures and just ignore those other guys.

Mike

[71Charger1996]

Do they not take kindly to Chargers after 70? It is a 73 motor that was in it when we bought it.

[JB400]

Any idea as to what gears you have in the rear?  Does it have a sure grip?

Chevy guys are just cheapskates.  They can't afford a real car let alone know what a real one is.  They're jealous because we have one of the most beautifully designed cars that's ever been mass produced.

[71Charger1996]

I have no idea. I really wanna learn and thats why i got on here. No I have no idea

[71Charger1996]

The car has been a very confusing project. One minute I get told its an SE then its not then the original color was Plum Crazy then told it wasnt. It has been an uphill battle to just find out the basics

[JB400]

There should be a metal tag on the left side of the engine bay above the tire.  It will have a bunch of letters and numbers.  That will tell you what the car originally come with as options. 

As far telling if you have a sure grip, jack up the rear of the car and turn one of the tires.  If they both turn the same way, you have a sure grip.  You'll have to put the car in neutral if it's an automatic.

Does your car have a 2 bbl carb or a 4 bbl?  Headers or manifolds?

[Challenger340]

Like everything else...all it takes is Money. When the time comes, you have an excellent platform in the 400 Block/B-Body combo.

IMO,
Cheapest, Quickest, bang for buck upgrades are a bit of compression, mild Cam & 4 BBL if it isn't a 4BBL already ?

A lot of those year Chargers were "2 BBL" 400 Engines from new, so, if it has the 4 BBL it may have been added later ?
Without getting too long winded...the 2 BBL Camshaft is GARBAGE, not even enough duration to take advantage of a 4 BBL carb when added, so include a Camshaft in your plans when the time comes. The Factory "HP" Resto Cam from CompCams or their 268H is a good starting point, and still retains the smooth idle.

Nice Cars those !

[ODZKing]

Welcome.
A Charger SE is usually WP29 in the third gen variety. If it is 21, 23 or 27 it is not an SE.
The next letter won't help you much excet to tell you what engine you HAD in the car.
G-318, H-340, J-340 six pac, K-360, L-383, N-383 HP, R-426, T-440, U-440, V-440 six pac.
The next letter is year, should be a 1 and the next is built plant. Probably A or G.

[71Charger1996]

Alright the fender tag is what you are describing I guess? It has been removed at some point. The motor it came with was a 318 2brl according to the VIN. It has a 400 4brl right now and as far as what is inside I have no idea

[mauve66]

also need to count the driveshaft revs in one turn of the tire, rear end gear will make a difference in what you want, feel, be happy with

[JB400]

What are the first 4 digits of the vin?  That will give you model of car you have.  As Odzking mentioned, if it is WP29, then it is an SE.

[Kern Dog]

I used to be a Chevy guy for awhile. It WAS nice to have access to performance parts at cheap prices. I bought a rebuild kit for my 350 in 1999 for $150 ! It had cast pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, an oil pump and freeze plugs. I had to pay $50 extra for the cam and lifters.
Now with nothing but Mopars in my "inventory" I am accustomed to the costs of building and maintaining them. I've learned that some of their engineering that once appeared strange to me is actually brilliant. The Torsion bar/rear steer design is a pisser for headers but fantastic for weight balance and handling. The deep skirt design of the big blocks add strength to the point where a 4 bolt main isn't necessary until you exceed 600 HP. The oil system is nearly flawless. The shaft mounted rockers adds stability without a weight penalty.
There are many solid examples of great engineering to these cars, but what hooked me first is the styling. I went bonkers for the 68-70 Charger when I was a kid. The TV shows and movies obviously liked them too.
The 71-74 Chargers are better looking than the same year Plymouths. The 400 engine was born into a legacy of low compression and smog compliance, but it responds to all the same tricks that any other American V8 does. Compression, Camshaft, Head flow, Carburetion and exhaust. 2 or 4 barrel, they were all built with either 7.8 or 8.2 compression. At the same time, the cars that they were installed in were getting heavier and the axle ratios were dropping. Imagine the stunning performance of a 4200 lb Charger 400-4 with a 2.76 axle.....
Now if you take a few lbs out of the car, build that 400 to even stock 440 Magnum specs and add a 3.91 gear, you'd be in the 14s. Thats as good as many of our "hero" cars did when they were new. Stroke that 400 to 496 inches and cam it right....11s are within your reach.

[Cooter]

Chevy people are like sheeple. They go for what will guarantee them NOT to have to go through the sh*t they put you through and they know there's strength in numbers. Unless you have a rich daddy that is as fed up with Chevy idiots as you, your destined to spend. A LOT of money trying to make a VERY heavy car get respect in the stoplight benchracing challenges.

Welcome to the board and don't mean to hurt both your feelings, but have already been there and done this with my own son and his 440, 4speed 66belvedere. I told him to just be content knowing he isn't a sheeple and enjoy the Mopars with people who count...
That truck abd G6? BOTH were paid up front for what they got. At least 15-20k...
No, there's no free advice that will put within two car lenghs with a smog 400...
As mentioned though, spend some cash and they will know what the tail lights look like. There's a reason you youngins call us 40somethins "old rich guys"..we finally are making enough money to spend a few bucks in the cars e loved since your age.

[71Charger1996]

Yea money is the key issue here. My dad and I are both Mopar guys and I actually just told some people that they only liked Chevy because it was popular. I am trying what I can to do with what I have. My first numbers are WH23. My sail panel has the chrysler three pointed star and cursive special edition emblems. I guess that makes it a clone and I would be more than happy to take them off if it is a clone. The truck owner had a rich farmer dad and the G6 was before I knew how to race. My car will hold its own but I'd like to talk smack and know for sure I have what it takes.

[tan top]

hello & welcome    400 block is a good choice for a stroker motor when funds allow ,

[71Charger1996]

Just went a jacked my car up and spun the wheel. It isnt a sure-grip

[71Charger1996]

Alright it is a 73 400 4BRL. You said it is great for a stroker. What all needs to be done and if possible give me some prices. I hate to ask but could you dumb it down? I'm 16 and trying to keep a heritage alive. It has a 10 bolt rear end if that means anything? The crazy part is, I have no idea what has been done to that motor because it is already in the high 11 low 12 range from my opinion

[cdr]

a 12.00 is about 112 mph in the 1/4,that would be about 450 hp... the ONLY way to know is TAKE IT TO THE TRAC.
QUOTE FROM OP
I have only had it about a year now. I've personally never been past the valve covers. It does about 96 in the 1/4. Im sitting in my Vo-Tech class as i type getting crap from my Chevy friends.

Your ET / MPH computed from your vehicle weight of 3900 pounds and HP of 290 is 13.85 seconds and MPH of 96.73 MPH.

[71Charger1996]

Oh ok thank you. Alright yea I may go do another test on a road soon because when I did the 96 I didnt build up RPMs at all. Yea I mean correct me anytime I am wrong because I'm on here to learn and get help.

[JB400]

Stroker engine kits are quite expensive. You'd need a new crank, rods, and pistons.  If it was me, I think I'd get the Sure Grip. That will get both wheels turning instead of just one.  Here's what they go for new in Summit.  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-4529273/  You should be able to find them at swap meets at a cheaper price.  I'd also check to see what your current gear ratio is. 3:23 gears would be about right for a street car.  You could step up to 3:55's, but you'd start revving your engine higher going down the highway.  You will accelerate quicker with the 3:55's though.  Here is a nice article about the Sure Grips.   http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1210_sure_grip_chrysler_differential_swap/

[Daytona R/T SE]

Did you get this car to please yourself, or to please your so-called "friends"?  

It's far easier, cheaper and more satisfying in the long run to just get better friends.