318 owners

[dukeboy320]

Is the 318 realible? and is it really that much less hp than the 440? i'm thinking of buying a 318 car and want to see what you guys think

[440charger68]

i have a 318 in my 68, they have about a 150hp less then a stock 440. its really reliable and gets good gas about 24mpg highway, but it has no power. you can screech the tires and that about it.

[Ghoste]

It makes much less power than a 440 and more significantly, much less torque.  Afterall, it's closer to being half the displacement of the 440 than it is to being a 440.  However, it also one of the most reliable engines that Ma Mopar ever built.  The parts availability is incredible and for a daily driver I wouldn't hesitate on buying one for a second.

[Rolling_Thunder]

i had a 318 in my charger and then swapped to a 383 - then a 440 - then a 512...   and honestly I do miss the 318 from time to time...   stock 2bbl, tons of fun, doesnt stall or die, VERY reliable...      I mean tons of hp is fun but most of the time all it does it get you in trouble.   

[Neal_J]

I live in a small town with a 25mph speed limit and bored cops.   Given the circumstances, my 318 is great.  It's got ample power (surely more than any ricer), I cruise comfortably around town, it accelerates OK (good not great) and it will run for days @ 70 mph on the freeway and return 20+ mpg. 

The 318 surely doesn't have the horsepower or torque of a big block.  But, really, other than (1) racing, (2) showing off or (3) bragging rights, when do you really NEED the horsepower & torque of the big block?

For me & me only, I don't need the HP and I'm entirely comfortable with my manhood.  Therefore, I don't feel the need to make "amends" via the size of my motor.  But hey that's just me.

My two cents...

[MoparManJim]

Is the 318 realible? and is it really that much less hp than the 440? i'm thinking of buying a 318 car and want to see what you guys think

They are nice small engines, my charger has a 318 in it. I'm not in it for the power, I don't want to race it either so thats why I didn't go gun oh for the bigger engine. But you be suprise what a small 318 can't do though. 

But might I sugjest before you go buying a car like a mopar that you should first get your dirvers licenses and a small car first so you can get the handle on driving first   

Because a mopar is way more then a normal car is and the 2nd gen chargers are way bigger as while and are like a ship.

[Foreman72]

check this out...you can still drag all kinds o power outta it...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,53264.0.html

[chargerkid01]

Best motor ever!!!!!

[Foreman72]

Best motor ever!!!!!

to that!

[Charger666]

Everyone here has made some excellent valid points.
Get a 318 if you're not looking to go crazy, and you'd rather show off your car around town / in the city, rather than race it, go nuts, or whatever the case may be.

Definitely a reliable engine, and parts supply for it is good as well.
You really can't go wrong with it!

[knitz01]

318 + a833 Wohooooooooooooooooooo  Lots of fun

[SuperCharger]

Best motor ever!!!!!

Next to the cummins yes it is.  small blocks in general are pretty good motors but the big thing to remember with the torque is the more air you get in a motor the more power it makes which is why the diesel in my 92 ram makes a ton more torque then the small block of same cubic inches in my 98(5.9L cummins vs 5.9L LA Magnum straight 6 vs V8) bigger air capacity=higher torque.

[NHCharger]

Nothing wrong with the 318. When gas was $4.00/gallon last summer one tank of gas gave me an entire day of cruising. I average 15-16 MPG with mine.(2.71's)
Never came close to 24 MPG, must be all downhill in that neck of the woods.

[Sublime/Sixpack]

  Not sure about the particular one you're looking at, but generally speaking the 318 engine was/is a good engine! Very reliable.
A stock 440 car will easily walk away from a stock 318 car, but thats to be expected.

[Foreman72]

 Not sure about the particular one you're looking at, but generally speaking the 318 engine was/is a good engine! Very reliable.
A stock 440 car will easily walk away from a stock 318 car, but thats to be expected.

but a modded 318

[Todd Wilson]

Best motor ever!!!!!

Next to the cummins yes it is.  small blocks in general are pretty good motors but the big thing to remember with the torque is the more air you get in a motor the more power it makes which is why the diesel in my 92 ram makes a ton more torque then the small block of same cubic inches in my 98(5.9L cummins vs 5.9L LA Magnum straight 6 vs V8) bigger air capacity=higher torque.

I think we are talking about Mopar engines here. The Cummins is not a mopar engine.

The main reason why your Cummins has more torque is the design of the engine and crankshaft.  Your 92 Cummins engine stock has zilch for horsepower. Probably less then a 318. You are trying to compare apples to oranges here.

Todd

[Brock Samson]

 I've had three of them,.. The one in the Charger 500 I bought and installed in my '69 R/T originally and ran for ten years I hot rodded... the one in my first van I just had rebuilt, they were alot stronger aftert the rebuilds... probably gained 10% in power... they wind up a bit quicker with the shorter stroke then the 383/440s but ran out of breath sooner... not much power after 80 MPH with the 323 gears most of the 318 cars got.
I feel the best of both worlds would be the 340 - a super Hi-Compression engine at 11-1 with the 850 cfm Carb...
But for an everyday grocery getter a 318 is bullet-proof reliable and no slouch compared to any 6 Cly...
I would think that the weight of the vehicle it came in would be the limiting factor,.. A body would be a potential screamer,.. B-Body would be adaquate better with some Mods... And in a C-bod. it would be a boat...
it's mostly a factor of power to weight ratio bottom line.

  Oh, and Neal J... turn in your man card... 

[Neal_J]

Yes sir.  Will do.



Neal

[Khyron]

I know a local Dart with a worked 318 running in the 10's... BUT in a charger, I think the ol girl would be a bit heavy.

Now, I love my 318 Charger...... now that the 318 is sitting in the garage and a 440 is in the engine compartment.

[resq302]

I know the 318 in our chally sure makes the rear break loose.  Of course its worked over a little but it sure can move the light weight e body.   

[SuperCharger]

Best motor ever!!!!!

Next to the cummins yes it is.  small blocks in general are pretty good motors but the big thing to remember with the torque is the more air you get in a motor the more power it makes which is why the diesel in my 92 ram makes a ton more torque then the small block of same cubic inches in my 98(5.9L cummins vs 5.9L LA Magnum straight 6 vs V8) bigger air capacity=higher torque.

I think we are talking about Mopar engines here. The Cummins is not a mopar engine.

The main reason why your Cummins has more torque is the design of the engine and crankshaft.  Your 92 Cummins engine stock has zilch for horsepower. Probably less then a 318. You are trying to compare apples to oranges here.

Todd

I don't think 200 hp is zilch.

[Foreman72]

Best motor ever!!!!!

Next to the cummins yes it is.  small blocks in general are pretty good motors but the big thing to remember with the torque is the more air you get in a motor the more power it makes which is why the diesel in my 92 ram makes a ton more torque then the small block of same cubic inches in my 98(5.9L cummins vs 5.9L LA Magnum straight 6 vs V8) bigger air capacity=higher torque.

I think we are talking about Mopar engines here. The Cummins is not a mopar engine.

The main reason why your Cummins has more torque is the design of the engine and crankshaft.  Your 92 Cummins engine stock has zilch for horsepower. Probably less then a 318. You are trying to compare apples to oranges here.

Todd

I don't think 200 hp is zilch.

heck no but its gotta move alot u kno...

[bk72]

my 72 charger 73 charger and 79 cordoba have a 318. they all run really good and get good mpg. better than the 06 pt cruiser

[Foreman72]

my 72 charger 73 charger and 79 cordoba have a 318. they all run really good and get good mpg. better than the 06 pt cruiser

wow

[SuperCharger]

Best motor ever!!!!!

Next to the cummins yes it is.  small blocks in general are pretty good motors but the big thing to remember with the torque is the more air you get in a motor the more power it makes which is why the diesel in my 92 ram makes a ton more torque then the small block of same cubic inches in my 98(5.9L cummins vs 5.9L LA Magnum straight 6 vs V8) bigger air capacity=higher torque.

I think we are talking about Mopar engines here. The Cummins is not a mopar engine.

The main reason why your Cummins has more torque is the design of the engine and crankshaft.  Your 92 Cummins engine stock has zilch for horsepower. Probably less then a 318. You are trying to compare apples to oranges here.

Todd

I don't think 200 hp is zilch.

heck no but its gotta move alot u kno...

torque moves soemthing off the line. and 400 lb ft. stock is nothing to sneeze at