360 into a stroker, or 440?

[slackmanairborne]

I'm a brand new guy here, and although I'm on my 3rd Charger, my current one is newer than any I've dealt with, so I have a couple of questions.

It's a '74 SE 360, 3 spd auto, and I'm thinking of pushing the power. Would I be better off stroking the 360, or changing mounts, tranny, etc., and putting in a 440. Will a small block tranny handle a stroker. I'm in the dark on this.

Thanks

[471_Magnum]

Really need to know what your goals are in terms of power, performance and budget.

[slackmanairborne]

I guess my goal would be to get it into the 400/425hp range, but strictly for street use. This thing will never see a strip. It's got 3.23 gears which I like for the mileage (haha). I have access to a BB 727, but have to start at the very beginning with a 440. I guess if the small block transmission will hold up with the new hp, that would save a lot of grief for me. I could get the 360 engine work done by a friend of mine for the price of the parts and block work at a machine shop, so again budget- wise, I'd be saving. For total budget, I'm using a stroker crate motor as a yardstick. I told you I was in the dark. Thanks.

I've got a new Holley 750 Street Avenger on it now.

[firefighter3931]

A 360 > 408 stroker will make that kind of power very easily and be quite streetable.....no problems there. Your car should have a 727 trans which is plenty strong at that power level. 



Ron

[slackmanairborne]

Thanks- are there books available for recommended components? My buddy is a MN State Votech instructor, and he does 2-3 motors per school year one-on-one with his upper classmen. I provide the parts, and he does everything including sending the block out to a machine shop.

[mikesbbody]

I dont wanna sound like a dick, but the pic you posted is not a se charger the 73-73 se's had a different side/quarter window (louvers? opera?) whatever you want to call it i personally like 73-74's without that. nice charger btw 

[slackmanairborne]

Well what do you know- I thought the widow louvres were an option, and removeable at that. What are the VIN codes for an SE vs a Charger non-SE?

[slackmanairborne]

I dont wanna sound like a dick, but the pic you posted is not a se charger the 73-73 se's had a different side/quarter window (louvers? opera?) whatever you want to call it i personally like 73-74's without that. nice charger btw 

You've got me wondering now. I called the guy in Arkasas that I bought it from, and he said before he painted it, he tore off the raggedy vinyl (plastic) top, and left it plain. The rear windows in mine are non-operable with no cranks. Hmmm............

[FLG]

Yep...yours should look like my 73

Just with "SE" emblems next to the opera windows



Also your charger emblems should be on the doors, going by the pics ive seen and my own charger...but i might be wrong, nacho??

[mikesbbody]

It is true the se "opera" windows deal can be removed but i dont think this is the case with your charger why? look at FLG's se it has the shorter drip rail (which all se's 72-74 had) but your charger (from what i can see) has the full length drip rail which to me would indicate a non se model.
I gotta say once again nice charger! and check out pete's 3rd gen site!

[FLG]

Good eye mike. Now im even more interested 

Rear windows are non-op but looks like full drip rail. Possible its a non-SE and someone pulled the window regulators and threw on SE rear door panels? Or a modified SE?

[slackmanairborne]

Damn- mine definately does not have a full length drip rail. If I can attach this pic, it'll show that clearly.

I guess the long and the short of it is, I'm not a purist, and if it's an AMC Pacer disguised as an SE Charger, I still love this car, haha. If I could positively identify it, that would save some confusion should I ever sell the car. It seems to me that that's what the VIN is for, but oh well.

BTW- sweet lookin Charger with the louvres. I'm impressed.

[Nacho-RT74]

Well what do you know- I thought the widow louvres were an option, and removeable at that. What are the VIN codes for an SE vs a Charger non-SE?

WP29 for SE

WL21 for "coupe"

WH23 for hardtop.

last ones same look, but hardtop with quarter roll down glass and coupe with fixed glass.

Lot other diffs too, but now just talking about quarter window

[slackmanairborne]

Thanks. Now it's official- mine is a W21 Coupe, with 2 helluva shiney SE emblems added to the rear of the roof. Thanks for getting me straight.

PS: I'd still be happy if it was a Pacer in Charger clothing, hahaha.

[mikesbbody]

Hey slackman, you should not be bummed out about your charger its awesome! I only mentioned it for your own interest alot of guys/sellers dont know what they have often its a honest mistake. Like i said i prefer the non se cars its not impossible to add the louvers but you would have to find a shorter drip rail moulding, and do abit of trimming on the piece it attaches too (i wouldnt do it not with a charger as nice as yours) with nacho's help you now know what you have.
But...as for your original question if your happy with 400-425 h.p like ron said the small block stroker will easily make that and it sounds as though your happy with that so why not go for that? of course, you can get more than 425 h.p out of a non stroker 440 but it sounds to me the small block stroker is the easier/cheaper route for you. For more of nacho's wisdom and other great 3rd gen chargers check out
                                                                http://www.1971-1974dodgecharger.com/

[slackmanairborne]

Thanks ror your input, and I'm not bummed in the least. I love this car, and the only way it's going away is if I find the right '69. I'm just glad to know what it is. I've decided to go with the stroker, and by next spring when it makes it's debut, it'll look and act different.

I wasted 5 years going through a 'Vette, 442, Roadrunner, and SS Nova, but now I've come home to roost with Chargers.

[FLG]

Well atleast we got that figured out.

BTW, add sub-frame connectors to the car when you do the engine.