just got a 1974 charger with a 400 ci

[74charger400]

ok let me start of by introducing my self, my name is Stephen and im 18, my first car was a 1978 chevy camaro, not real fast(had the original motor)
and i fixed it up what i could and had it for a little over 2 years love the car but i just wanted something different, so i looked for cheep-enough cars i could sell mine and work on a "project" came across a 74 charger very little rust needed interior has the original 400 in it but don't know much about mopar so i found this forum in hope that yall could help me out and give me some pointers on how to get some power out of this motor

planed on port and poling and shaving(not sure if right term) the heads,
flat top pistons, headers of course, msd ignition high valume water pump aluminum radiator, and electric fans, and depending a blower?
just some ideas


so yall think some one could help me out and tell me what the best think to do for some power? thanks
stock original 400 ci and i looked up the stats on it and well not so good
what kind of power could i pull out of this motor for the best price or what would i be looking at in price?

[Ghoste]

The 400 can be made to work real well and it is a very popular starting point for some killer stroker combinations.  If you check the forum of proven engine combos you can find a few good templates to follow there.

[tan top]

hello & welcome !!

what ghoste says !!  400ci  good base for a strong running stroker motor ! 

[41husk]

Welcome, plenty of help to be had around here, Good luck with the build!

[Plum Crazy 68]

Hello Stephen and welcome.  If I was to give any good advice I would suggest getting it running as is or with a mild engine build.  It depends on your budget, but before you start a 10 year project think of all the fun this car has to offer in original condition.  In original condition it could be worth more.  Just a thought.  You've definately found the right site.

[terrible one]

Welcome! More pictures of your Charger please   I agree with those above, go for a stroker! IIRC there are a few stroker kits out there that will make a 400 a 451 or 500

[RallyeMike]

Gut the interior and bolt on a 100hp nitrous plate.








Then build a stroker motor.

[74charger400]

ok so today i just traded the 74 for a 72
i know what every one is going to say and. already? yea
i liked the 72 better and the guy used to have a 74 as his first car and though it would be cool to have another one like the old days lol
well this ones less of a project but has a 318 in it
anny ideas for this motor, besides nitrous

and can anyone tell me were i can get the hidaway light grill for it?

[TK73]

Gut the interior

Then build a stroker motor

[74charger400]

how much could i push with the 318 without going to radical?, this is my daily driver lol

[Plum Crazy 68]

Now you have to change your name to "72charger318"!

[bajaherbie]

my 73 has  a 318, headers, edelbrock intake and holley carb... it looks and sounds like a hot rod but it really isn't!

my car also has bumpers, grille and taillights from a 72 but the headlight doors you have to open manually. hopefully i'll be able to wire it it the the harness...

[bajaherbie]

pic of my car with chrome bumper and hide away headlights...

[xpbprox]

well if you go bigger motor or more power you're gonna need to work on that tranny or replace it with a 727 or 4spd. So don't forget about that.
as for the headlight setup, look on ebay or the marketplace part of this forum.

[spinny]

You can make the 318 run well, hotrod did a junkyard jewel 318 that made 400hp. Most guys will tell ya get a 340/360 but sometimes an engine swap isn't in the cards. If you were to do that, I'd say find a magnum engine and put it in your car.

Btw: awesome deal on getting a 72 (my favorite 3rd gen)

[Brightyellow69rtse]

what rear end do you have? im not up on my 3rd gens but hopefully its not the 7 1/4......

[bordin34]

It should have an 8-1/4 rear. My 74 318 Charger did and so does my 73 400 Charger.