'71 383 convertible to hemi?????

[734406pk]

I think that $25k for the engine and a Kframe installed is a lot of money. Mopar is selling brand spanking nwe ones for in the $14-15,000 range and it sure shouldn't cost $10,000 to bolt it and the K in, IMHO. I'd stick the 383 back in, drive it and look for a /6 or 318 body to put the hemi in, if you decide to go that way. Just my 

 

[70chall440]

I will straddle the fence on this one;

On the one hand, if you have always wanted a hemi vert, then build one and check that off the list. Just don't butcher the car doing it. Keep the original drive train for later or the next guy (hemis fit in a lot of cars...)

On the other hand, while putting a hemi into the car would be cool, actually having an original car will probably be more valuable in the long run.

Bottom line - do what you want as it is your car. If you REALLY want a hemi vert, here is your chance. If you keep the original drive train you are not out anything and if the hemi doesn't work out for some reason, you can sell it and then make the car original.

[N96cuda]

There is no way I would drop a hemi in that car. I seriously walk right on by every hemi E-body clone; convertible or not because I have seen so many over the years. Now if it's an original big block E-body vert then I am stopping and taking notice. I happen to have a 71 383 cuda convertible and the last thing I would do is put a hemi in it. Now, on the other hand I do want a Hemi car, just not in any original big block E-body.

My 2 cents...

[Topcat]

Do whatever turns you on....it's your car

 

Keep in mind if you've never had a Hemi before; they're not as easy to get dialed in like a 340 or a 383.
They cost a lot more to get right. Those crate prices aren't realistic to plug & play.

$25 grand plus another $3 grand for a Shaker set up is in realistic costs if you go 4 x 2 bbl.

[JoeGrapes]

I'm not numbers matching guy. Of coarse it's easy for me to say that because my car is not numbers matching. If I already had the Hemi sitting in the back of my garage I'd probably put it in. But since you don't keep the 383 in the car. If you really want a Hemi its a lot cheaper to buy a crate Hemi that you can use with your 383 K-member and keep the original motor to swap back in down the road when the novelty wears off.