ORIGINAL 318 / MODIFIED 318 OR BIGGER MOTOR ???

[skip68]

Witch would you do?

[Beer]

I would turn it into a all forged 400+ HP Smallblock 402ci/in Stroker; with a Mopar Performance Forged crank, Diamond 4" Pistons, Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap intake, Forged Eagle H Beam connecting rods, Edelbrock Performer RPM cam, and top it off with an  Edelbrock 800 CFM carb.

But thats just me 




to



Now, if I could only get the body to the shop

Entire build thread is here
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,283.0.html

[THE COLONEL]

The Colonel has the original 318 in him, and I think I will rebuild that, but modify it.

[TruckDriver]

Modify the original block. That's what I'm doing to my all numbers matching '72 SE with a 400. The only exception I would of made, if it was a ulra rare car which mine is not.

[69charger2002]

if you can afford it, there is no substitute for cubes.. every time you punch it you'll smile and not regret your decision. of course if you don't have the money there is nothing to be ashamed of by having a 318 in a charger, modified or not
trav

[Old Moparz]

It all depends on the budget & the time you have, but I say keep the 318 & modify it. Not for reasons of originality, but for just trying to keep it simple. To go from a small block to a big block, means a lot of other things in the car will have to be swapped. Things like the transmission, drive shaft, radiator, & all the accessories on the motor. If you have all of that already then it's not a problem, but to hunt down all these things will take time & add up to a lot more money. I planned a big block swap in my Satellite convertible, but the only thing I'll change now, is to go from a 2-V to a 4-V. I'll need the right linkages, but that will be a lot easier in the end.

[Khyron]

My Charger had a 318, now it's got a massaged 360, soon it will have a big block...


It's a 318 car, so don't worry about numbers matching, just keep the old block.... put a big block in that bad boy. A worked small block is fun... but I need to fill that engine compartment. a strocked small block is a nice motor, but for wow factor, get a big block.

[skip68]

I've going to put the 440 (VERY WELL BUILT)  I had built in the car in a couple months.  I may have found the original rusty 318 and am going to keep it so when the 440 melts down I thought about maybe putting the 318 back in. .....................Chuck

[Brock Samson]

i say go 440,.. 

[whitehatspecial]

I replaced my 318 with a built 340 with iron J heads, 270 hp to the rear wheels on the chassis dyno. The nice part being I was able to use the original K member, radiator, alternator & brackets, ps pump, transmission, driveline, etc.

Yes it pulls very well, sounds great, and I couldn't be happier with my decision not to put in a big block. No it doesn't get the ooh's and ahh's when I open the hood.  I built it the way I wanted, not to get attaboys.

Before and after pictures: