318 vs Big Block

[charger_cody]

Oh I will. For now it's getting a new intake and carb with the Hooker Comp. headers that are on it. Sometime it will get a rebuild.

if your gonna buy hookers. please i mean please just buy the non coated ones and pay for the ceramic coat. youl save like $100

i bought my super comps non coated for like $460 from jegs and they went all the way down to like 160 

[whitehatspecial]

Build a big block!!  - unless it was available with a 340 (then make a 340 clone). 

Take it from me..... 318 CARS GET NO RESPECT!! - even the original ones.

When I pop my hood, some people just walk away, and I hear them say "it's only a 318". 

Screw what people say. Build it the way you want it. Morons who think a car has to be a big block to be cool are a$$holes.

[Beer]

Mine is a 318 with dress up items...

[myk]

Frame repairs first.  No point in having a big block if you're chassis can't take it.  And normally I'd agree with big-block-only-type people being a-holes, but if it's classic muscle what's the point if it ain't running with big cubes? 

[Khyron]

I yanked my 318 and ran my Charger with a massaged out 360 for awhile, cam, heads, intake, High Performance pistons...The Charger ran great! she never failed me, always started and was fun to drive...


BUT...


I got a bug in my butt and went with a 440... Holy sh*%^%! what a difference. The sound, feel, handling, power... nothing like it.


BUT


If you have all that other work to do, I agree with a majority... fix the car before worrying about a Big Block... when the frame and everything else is fixed, Big block that bitc*&%^%!!!!

[FLG]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I guess you're right about getting the frame ready first. The biggest problem is the LR frame rail that's basically not even there anymore. What is recommended for repairing (building from scratch) the rail? The guy who had it before me had done some welding on it, but there are drips and the patch doesn't extend near far enough to support the spring shackle. Should I remove what he has and start over? Should it be made from one piece bent to shape, three pieces welded at right angles, or two pieces in an "L" shape? How about the prefab pieces from Auto Rust Technicians? Tell me what you think.

I'll post up pics of my auto rust pieces today, they do great work there.

[CudaJimmy]

I'd just build a 360. You can use your transmission, k-frame, radiator, everything. And you CAN get respect with a 318 if you build it right. Having said that, there is no replacement for displacement. Unless you wanna spend some coin getting the rest of your car set up properly for a big block, just build the 360 and go have fun. 

[FLG]

Heres the auto rust rails

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55006.msg611081.html#msg611081

[cowboy4x4n]

be different build the 318.  alot of guys bash the 318 but its a great motor if built right.  put compression, decent heads and cam and 400 hp is knocking on the door.  the motor has more cubes thatn ford or chevy's respected 302 and slidghtly less than a 327 chevy.  it has a better bore to stroke ratio than a chevy lt1.  yeah a big block is bad ass but my warmed over 318 is fun to drive and i get 21 mph on the freeway.  This is a car i enjoy driving, has power to embarass most cars, and I can afford the fuel.  ill take my cake and eat it too.

[MrSnicks]

Both my 71 Charger and my wife's 71 Charger came with 318's in them. I was able to get hers running after I bought it so that's what it's running. Mine was frozen solid, but was the original engine so I had it rebuilt. I'm not looking for huge HP, just a reliable cruiser and from what I've heard the 318's are practically bullet-proof.

Patrick

[TruckDriver]

One good advantage a small block has, it doesn't weight as much, so the car will handle better in most cases.

[chargd72]

4 year old thread.  I'm sure he's made up his mind by now....

[green69rt]

So what was the final answer???

[1974dodgecharger]

4 year old thread.  I'm sure he's made up his mind by now....

think he threw in the towel and just sold it.....

[Ghoste]

He hasn't even been back to the site in four years.

[Chargerguy74]

I didn't realize the age of the original post. I was just about to be a Debbie Downer. Ok, I'll still say it. I'm sorry but if you only have $800 on you and that's it, you better work on saving up enough cash to cover a few months expenses first. Once you have at least that to fall back on, then you can play. Unless I misread the post and he only had $800 allotted to the project for the time being.