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WHAT ENGINE OPTION #3093019
11/10/22 01:48 AM
11/10/22 01:48 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 484
North America
2002bluert Offline OP
mopar
2002bluert  Offline OP
mopar

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North America
I just bought a 1971 318 Challenger that was originally orange that I want to do an engine swap on. I'm just not sure what direction to go I have most of the top end for a six pack for a 440 just missing the block which is no problem to find. I'm just not sure to build a 440 six pack for it, or a new style 5.7 or 6.2 HEMI for it. what's everyone's opinion ?

1971 Challenger 2.jpg
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093021
11/10/22 01:51 AM
11/10/22 01:51 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 484
North America
2002bluert Offline OP
mopar
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North America
By the way I'm going to paint it back to orange and change the hood and wheels.

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093028
11/10/22 02:25 AM
11/10/22 02:25 AM
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Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Bend,OR USA
What do you want from it?
It is your car, your choice, pee on everyone else opinions twocents
Do it your way wrench up

if it was mine it would get a stroker 440 6 pack so I could raise heck with the new cars devil stirthepot boogie
But it is yours, have fun with it up twocents

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 11/13/22 02:49 AM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093062
11/10/22 09:14 AM
11/10/22 09:14 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,593
USA
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VS29H0B Offline
pro stock
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USA
A later generation modern Hemi (2011 and up) with the overdrive tranny would be a a great powertrain in that car. Lighter, more fuel efficient and equally powerful compared to building a 440. Yes 440s have appeal but the modern Hemi breaths better unless you spend for really good alum. 440 cylinder heads.


Like the women I have dated --- Always looking for a better deal ....
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093070
11/10/22 09:30 AM
11/10/22 09:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,890
Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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Does money or complexity play a role in the decision? One route would seem cheaper and simpler than the other.

The 5.7 is not real expensive and are plentiful. The 6.4s are typically expensive and sometimes hard to find. And the super charged (Hellcat) 6.2 can be even more expensive that the Gen 2 Hemi to buy. Then there's the install costs and that's where the complexity really kicks in. Especially if the original injection and electronics are retained.

Modern engines, like modern wheels and tires on our old muscle cars don't always meet with acceptance.


Master, again and still
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: Cab_Burge] #3093094
11/10/22 11:18 AM
11/10/22 11:18 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,449
On the run…
BloFish Offline
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On the run…
Originally Posted by Cab_Burge
What do you want from it?
It is your car, your choice, pees on every one else twocents
Do it your way wrench up



iagree


It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose…
as long as you look good doing it!

‘65 A100
‘69 ‘Cuda
‘73 Vega GT
‘06 Mega Cab
‘14 Mercedes SLK
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: BloFish] #3093096
11/10/22 11:31 AM
11/10/22 11:31 AM
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USA
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hudsonhornet7x Offline
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USA
How about a small block stroker? The car is already setup for one and a 408 with good heads would be a wicked engine for an e-body

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #3093097
11/10/22 11:37 AM
11/10/22 11:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,496
Tulsa, Oklahoma
340Cuda Offline
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Originally Posted by hudsonhornet7x
How about a small block stroker? The car is already setup for one and a 408 with good heads would be a wicked engine for an e-body
This would certainly be the easiest. Although the other options are good ones.

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 340Cuda] #3093107
11/10/22 12:06 PM
11/10/22 12:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,677
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk Offline
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Fresno, CA
The build for me would be determined on how the car will be used and what you expect out of it. They're all good choices...

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: Jim_Lusk] #3093123
11/10/22 12:32 PM
11/10/22 12:32 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
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north of coder
what budget do you have ?
any good junkyards, er, i mean, "recycle" places you can browse for what you will need for parts ?
how good are your fabrication skills when you can't find what you need ?
how good are your electrical skills ? this is especially important if you choose to go modern power plant with computer controlled devices you need to integrate with a simple older wiring system.
just a few things i thought of. not trying to say you don't have the skills to do a swap of your choice, just some things that have bit my old bony azz in the past.
beer

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #3093181
11/10/22 04:07 PM
11/10/22 04:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,352
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
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Eagle, Idaho
Originally Posted by hudsonhornet7x
How about a small block stroker? The car is already setup for one and a 408 with good heads would be a wicked engine for an e-body


Agree.

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: Cab_Burge] #3093280
11/10/22 10:21 PM
11/10/22 10:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
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TJP Online content
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Omaha Ne
Originally Posted by Cab_Burge
What do you want from it?

Step 1 Is answering the above question
Step 2. Is how are you honestly going to use it
Step 3. Answer the budget question
Step 4. Answer 1,2 &3. Then Start putting numbers down on paper. BE THOROUGH. I usually tell people get a catalog form you vendor of choice. Start at page1 and go completely through the catalog writing down everything you want to replace or that will be required. Then add the items not in the catalog, any labor you're out sourcing and total it up eek

If you do 4 correctly and thoroughly it will help answer your question twocents beer

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: Neil] #3093285
11/10/22 10:38 PM
11/10/22 10:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Freeport IL USA
In my world, the choice would be easy, but its not my world, its yours.

You are the guy that needs to feed it, and take care of it when your done. Give a lot of thought as to what you intend to do with the car after your drop $20 K into it. A weekly trip to the ice cream store with the wife & kids (or grand kids) is a different build then one competing for trophies at shows, and that build is different then racing to win at a strip, and that is different then competing at an autocross track. Even a get a car out and have fun every weekend can look a lot different then any of the above. Trying to cover them all will only lead to disappointment on all levels.

Figure out what you want the end product to do, then build accordingly.

Its much better to figure out what you want the car to do, and build it to do that then it is to build the car one way, then figure out that wasn't what you wanted, and then try to change it to meet your goals. A car built as an all out tubbed and caged pro street car is not a fun car to go for a 200 mile ride with the family and its vey costly to change it over. What we think doesn't matter at all.

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093301
11/11/22 12:45 AM
11/11/22 12:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,398
Dandridge TN
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Dabee Offline
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Dandridge TN
If you are planning on really driving the car a lot then a Gen lll would be the logical choice. If it’s only going to used as a show poodle then I would go for the 440 six pack or a 408 stocker with a good set of aluminum heads.

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: TJP] #3093425
11/11/22 12:47 PM
11/11/22 12:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
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north of coder
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by Cab_Burge
What do you want from it?

Step 1 Is answering the above question
Step 2. Is how are you honestly going to use it
Step 3. Answer the budget question
Step 4. Answer 1,2 &3. Then Start putting numbers down on paper. BE THOROUGH. I usually tell people get a catalog form you vendor of choice. Start at page1 and go completely through the catalog writing down everything you want to replace or that will be required. Then add the items not in the catalog, any labor you're out sourcing and total it up eek

If you do 4 correctly and thoroughly it will help answer your question twocents beer




take step 4 and multiply by at least two. biggrin
beer

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: 2002bluert] #3093829
11/12/22 10:56 PM
11/12/22 10:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,473
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
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JDMopar Offline
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Wow! That looks like an untouched granny car. I'm surprised it doesn't have the belt moldings on the tops of the doors and around the back edges of the fenders and hood. Looks like it has all the other stuff that would go with that. Probably has AC too. I'd be tempted to just make the numbers matching 318 into a 390 stroker. You'd better look up under the back of it to see what rearend....lol. Don't be surprised if it has a 7 1/4. Was it Hemi Orange or Vitamin C? Cool car to fix just the way you want it. up

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: JDMopar] #3093857
11/13/22 06:53 AM
11/13/22 06:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,071
Berlin, N.J.
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abodyjoe Offline
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Berlin, N.J.
starting from scratch id be going modern hemi.


It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.

www.MoparMisfits.com
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: abodyjoe] #3093862
11/13/22 08:37 AM
11/13/22 08:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
Bad340fish Offline
master
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Tulsa OK
I think a modern hemi would be a smart swap. Even a bone stock 5.7 from a truck would be 390HP. If your desires are a nice driving car and not racing using as much factory electronics as you can would net you a great performing car that gets good MPG, great reliability, and you would still be able to roast the tires off no problem lol.

If you are starting from scratch modern power is a good option for any car really.


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: moparx] #3093944
11/13/22 01:21 PM
11/13/22 01:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
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TJP Online content
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Omaha Ne
Originally Posted by moparx
Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by Cab_Burge
What do you want from it?

Step 1 Is answering the above question
Step 2. Is how are you honestly going to use it
Step 3. Answer the budget question
Step 4. Answer 1,2 &3. Then Start putting numbers down on paper. BE THOROUGH. I usually tell people get a catalog form you vendor of choice. Start at page1 and go completely through the catalog writing down everything you want to replace or that will be required. Then add the items not in the catalog, any labor you're out sourcing and total it up eek

If you do 4 correctly and thoroughly it will help answer your question twocents beer




take step 4 and multiply by at least two. biggrin
beer

Especially so if this is ones first attempt, might even go 3X, beer

Re: WHAT ENGINE OPTION [Re: TJP] #3098566
12/01/22 01:12 AM
12/01/22 01:12 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 484
North America
2002bluert Offline OP
mopar
2002bluert  Offline OP
mopar

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 484
North America
Thanks for all the input, I don't plan on racing the car at the track and plan on driving the car lots in the summer on nice days. I enjoy going to a lot of out of town car meets and to local ones as well. Some meets can be a few hours away and i wont be trailering it. It is a pretty low option Challenger with a rebuilt factory 318 auto and 8 3/4rear end. I also have a lot of parts to clone it to look like an R/T including a set of elastomeric bumpers.

1971 Challenger interior 2.jpgunnamed.jpgFender tag.jpg
Last edited by 2002bluert; 12/01/22 01:15 AM.
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