Hello everyone, quick intro. I am 28 from Montgomery Tx, about a year ago I inherited my dad's 1973 Dart Swinger. Him and I always talked about getting it over hauled and make it street/strip car. The plans called for rebuild of the 360 to get ≈ 450 hp and put in a 727 tranny. I am not a car guru by any means. I know enough to do some of the work myself. My father was the mopar man through and through. I no longer have that resource as he passed Feb 2015. I am looking for some other mopar gurus who I know shared the passion he did for his car. Right now I am looking for spec's on a build for the 360 to achieve the hp goal. I have done some of my own research but need a experts word on it. I would like to keep the price around $2500 for parts. From my work that looks hard to do. Would anyone be willing to share ideas with me?

Thanks for the read sorry its long.

(1) Welcome aboard! (2) that ain't a long read (you'll see!) (3) I would suggest some EQ mag heads with the LA intake manifold pattern. I'd stroke it as 4" cranks are cheap now & the pistons ain't too bad (KB 356's) & get .035" quench. #1 decide street or strip (or a combo) then what octane are you willing to run & what cam characteristics are you comfortable with then and what rear gear ratio as that will be a healthy start to set some parameters for a build. As you noted this ain't a cheap hobby.

I would use a 904 trans with a good 10" converter. Get a 8 3/4 rear with a clutch plate posi and 4.10 gears.

Welcome aboard Snowdon

The biggest unknown for us here is your skill level.

I think buying a bunch of engine pieces and building a stroker 450hp engine from a 360 is not someone starting out in the hobby.

If you are good with wrenching I'd suggest finding someone you can trust with the help of the members on this forum. Having them build your engine and install it yourself.

Takes some pics, love to see your Dart.

Plenty of simple 400hp 360 builds in articles. That's pretty much just a cam and intake swap on a Magnum 5.9.

$2500 is a pretty tight budget though, assuming a complete rebuild with quality parts and machine work.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-0804-small-block-mopar-engine/