How much would it cost for a 318 to 426 Hemi Crate Conversion in a 69

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Just wondering how much this would could total. Start with a 318 charger and put a 426 Crate Hemi in it. Of course purchase a good 727 with converter to go behind it along with a Dana 60 rearend. Headers, Exhaust, New Carb, New Disc Brakes and New front suspension and what ever else I may be forgetting. Has anyone done this or priced out just the parts. Let me know

[Ghoste]

I'd budget for 30,000 not including the Charger.

[Charger-Bodie]

 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Wow I was thinking 25k max, I must have forgotten or overlooked some important stuff

[Shakey]

I was thinking more like $33,500.00 but hey, what the hell do I know.   

[Ghoste]

There is ALWAYS some forgotten or overlooked items in a project like this and the 5000 can get eaten up fast.  Budget higher than you think whenever you're dealing with old cars.

[69charger2002]

i think $25000 would easily cover it. a crate motor can be had for $12,800, a complete strange dana 60 is $2000, a fully built 727 can be had for $2000, if you are just talking parts, not labor, i think $25k covers it for sure
just my $.02

[Hemidoug]

I thik it could be done for less then 25K assuming you start with a good base.
Crate motor (base 426) carb to oilpan for 12K
Good 727 trans rebuilt for 1-1.5k
Moser 60 rear complete 2500
SS springs for <400
Hemi torsion bars <400
4 wheel disc brake setup 900
All new frontend parts <500
Hemi motor mounts 250
Hemi motor mount brackets 250
Misc pullies and brackets 300-500
new aluminum radiator 400

I think I covered most of the high $$$ items.

total of everything at the high price estimate is 19.6K....Not too shabby and all quality equipment!

ps..add in another 1K for headers/exhaust system.....

[lilwendal]

Just finished.  30 is a little high for just parts but if you're paying anyone to do part of the job than 30 might not be enough. Quick run down to make a 426 crate "appear" original.
a. 426 crate 13,500.00 add 500 to ship.
b. Schumaker mounts to mate to your K member 350.00
c. repo exhaust manifolds  750.00
d. original intake 850.00
e. original cleaner  1000.00
f. misc linkage, fuel lines,springs,hoses and clips 750.00
g. correct pulleys and fan 500.00
h. correct wrinkle valve covers 350.00
i. HD 727 rebuilt or 18 spline  without rebuild 850.00
J. if going 4 speed add another 1500.00 for bell housing, fly wheel & clutch package
k.Dana 60 used 1500.00 plus another 500.00 for parts to rebuild
l.  If your making the body correct too then you have torque boxes at 300.00 plus K member skid plate at 100.00. The snubber plate can be fabbed from scrap
m.   add a couple hundred for the rest of the exhaust
n. If your thinking of original carbs then plan on about 2 grand for a usable set but other carbs will fit and remain unnoticed under the cleaner.
If your going to run power brakesthan add another 500.00 for aftermarket booster relocation kit.
This is just for the hemi conversion and does not address any of the suspension or braking you mentioned. Doesnt take long to add uo fast. and this is just the engine swap. Again this is parts only.

[rich4406bbl]

Why start with a 318 car? Look around for a 383 4v with AC car instead. Already has the big block 727, complete brackets and pulleys (you'll need the crank pulley for a hemi however due to balancer thicknes) and a HD radiator. Scrap the idea of a Dana 60 since it's not needed with the auto trans. I'd re-think the 4 wheel disc setup. Maybe just a conversion from drum to disc/drum with modern upgraded parts.

One thing to realize however is that Hemi and "cheap" are 2 words that just don't seem to go together.

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Well it just so happens I have a 318 charger and nothing else

[Charger-Bodie]

nice looking car

[Khyron]

I know I may be out of line, but for less money, just build up a 440?

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Thats not out of line, That thought has crossed my mind several times but I would want a 69 440 to complete the R/T clone. Everything is up in the air. Its even up for sale in the classifieds section.

[Khyron]

Just my opinion. My plan for my Charger is just going a baby step at a time. Start with a 440 and a running big block chassis for my charger and year by year move up from there, new set of heads, cam, ect ect.

Good luck on whatever you choice is

[hotrod98]

Just converted my challenger convertible to a 426 crate hemi setup with a new TCI tranny and convertor, TTI headers, all mounts, pulleys, kickdown linkage, black wrinkle covers, cooling system, torsion bars and all of the little stuff. You can do it for 20K. If you go the 440 way with a decent crate setup you'll spend about 12k.
That extra 8 grand buys a lot of respect. 

[tecmopar]

$22,367.74, or there abouts, it really depends on how good of a shopper and swapper you are, good luck.

[Troy]

It also depends on how "correct" you want it. As lilwendal noted, Hemi cars had torque boxes and frame modifications which will impact your budget even more if you've already painted the car. The Hemi 727 is different than a "normal" 727 and so is the brake booster (if power). Hemi cranks are also eight bolt so remember that when buying flywheels and torque converters. The correct air cleaner, valve covers, intake manifold, carbs, air filter, exhaust manifolds, and breather don't come with a crate Hemi so tack those on if you want it to look right. A correct set of carbs and an intake can easily set you back $4000+ and repro exhaust manifolds are around $650 I think. Remember the throttle linkage and fuel lines to go with the dual carbs. The big chrome air cleaner ranges from $500 to $1000 with the filters in the $120-150 range (if you can find one). The engine wiring harness and radiator are also specific to the Hemi. The k-frame skid plate only works if you're using aftermarket motor mounts on a regular k-frame - add a bunch more if you want a real Hemi k-frame and mounts ($1500-2000?). The accessory brackets on the front of the motor are also Hemi specific due to the larger balancer. Don't forget the bigger torsion bars (a bigger sway bar wouldn't hurt). Last time I checked, you couldn't get a 426 crate Hemi from Mopar which makes your options the 472 or 528 - with the higher price tags. Arruzza, Barton, Indy, and For Hemis Only would also be good choices but the prices vary depending on what you want. If you buy it all instead of building from scratch I'd start with a budget of $25000+.

If you don't care if it's correct you can almost cut that price in half with some frugal parts shopping. The crate Hemi comes with a single 4bbl intake which most people toss immediately. If you're building an engine from scratch you can pick these intakes up cheap. Throw on a no-frills air cleaner over a basic 4bbl and you've saved about $4000 right there but it is immediately obvious when you open the hood. Crate Hemis also come with the chrome valve covers which most everyone tosses for the black ones. You can find these "take-offs" for $325 or so versus $800+ for the black ones. One trick when building the engine is to use a 440 crank which allows you to use the 440 balancer, pulleys, and accessory brackets as well as the flywheel/torque converter. This can save $1500-2500 easily (depending on whether you're trying to find a good Hemi crank too). This is mostly internal so it isn't overly obvious to most casual spectators. Schumacher and Arruzza make mounts that allow you to install a Hemi on a normal k-frame. You can barely see them once the engine is installed and it's way cheaper than finding a real k-frame and mounts. Engine harnesses can be modified to work on the Hemi. The valve train components are probably the most expensive thing to worry about with the possible exception of the intake system. The Mopar parts are ridiculously expensive (rocker stands around $800 alone) so finding a good used set is a much more friendly option. Many times you can find the rocker assemblies for under $1500. You can find some aftermarket stands for as low as $350. You just need the time and patience to shop around.

Remember, hotrod98's Challenger would have had an "oval" air cleaner which is reproduced and much cheaper/easier to find than the round chrome ones for 69. It probably breathes better though if you don't care about originality.

If you're worried about speed just build a 440. If you want the maximum visual impact then don't even think of anything other than a Hemi. It all depends on what you want and what you are comfortable with (and what you can spend!). I think you could build a very respectable 440 for $4000 or so and be very happy driving it around. Of course, my 318 got 22 mpg over the summer and hotrod98's EFI Magnum powered car gets about 26 with the overdrive and cruise control.

Troy

[chargerboy69]

My buddy just finished his 318 to a Hemi crate motor swap. He had just under $20,000.00 in it. Now the engine was a little cheaper. We have a guy in our Mopar Club that owns a Dodge Dealer, so he was able to purchase the engine for cost, and shipping was free. But that included disc brakes, TTI headers, TTI 3" exhaust, built 727, built Dana, new wheels and tires and new front and rear suspension. And he did all the work himself. So there was not any labor involved other than rebuilding the transmission and the rearend. By the way, nice looking car.

[69Chrgr]

Well, I just completed the rotissierie(and paint) piece and had torque boxes and subframe connectors installed. Called Barton and others, and was told that even 528 blocks were hard to come by. However, with the new World Products blocks becoming available, I think the Hemi's price tag will eventually come down as World Products should be able to feed the demand much more efficiently than Mopar. Nothing against 440's, but don't settle if you plan to do a Hemi. Just take the time to save a few extra bucks. Just my .02 anyway.

[hotrod98]

Troy's right on the money. There may have been items purchased during my swap that I've forgotten about so plan to spend a little more than 20k.
The 426 hemi is the pinnacle of mopardom.  So if you want a hemi, don't settle for second best. You'll regret it later. The only guys that dispute that are the guys that either don't have a hemi or can't afford to buy one.

[69Chrgr]

Troy's right on the money. There may have been items purchased during my swap that I've forgotten about so plan to spend a little more than 20k.
The 426 hemi is the pinnacle of mopardom.  So if you want a hemi, don't settle for second best. You'll regret it later. The only guys that dispute that are the guys that either don't have a hemi or can't afford to buy one.

That is absolutely correct. I could have gone the 440 route, (probably will when I get a RR), but I'm just waitin' and savin'. Couldn't have said it better myself.  

[Brock Samson]

Six-packs are faster and cheaper where i am...    
$ 15-30 depending on your level of analness... 
but for a HEMI?..  $ 30K unless you do the work your self. 
back when i did mine i added it up and the hemi was 15 to start,.. the six-pack was $8,000 and more suited to my idea of a street fighter.

love that clone!   
great thread, good responses to anyone thinking of the idea. 

[69Chrgr]

Agreed. Great topic!! Guess where I live Hemi's are top dog. However they are also more expensive, just like anywhere else.Damn my bad luck.lol

[Troy]

Another thing, timing needs to come into the equation. The World Products blocks are sorely needed BUT they aren't in production and the first ones (the race blocks) aren't due out until mid to late summer with the street blocks following some time after (6 months? A year? They don't say). Crate Hemi blocks are scarce again but I know of at least two for a small premium. You really have to watch the production dates for core shift and all that. Original blocks could be hiding a multitude of problems and, if they are 69 date coded, can be much more expensive than crates. I'd trust a builder like FHO or Arruzza to source the block or entire engine to make sure the parts are sound (or possibly Chenoweth or Mopar Engines West depending on your location). If you want something NOW then the price will be higher but if you have time to shop you can find deals.

Troy