318 engine Tranny combo?

[Jimmy C]

Hey fellas, I am starting to work on my Challenger again. Its a 70 base with 318 and 904 3 speed tranny. I have a 2-3 part question...im going to keep the matching numbers block and overhaul it in the future. I want to buy a crate engine to drop in and keep and use the 904 tranny along with it. I have looked at two placed where I see crate engine for a decent price. (1) CME-Carolina Machine Engines....they have a 318 crate for 3900 or a 360 crate for 4100. Has anyone here had any experience with this company or have any input?  The other company I was looking at is Indy....they have a 360 LA crate for 4995....any input on those guys? This is all new to me.....I was gifted the Challenger by my father inlaw and I want to make him proud by getting her going and on the streets again. Can I use the 904 transmission that is on the car with both of those? Thanks for the help fellas much appreciated.

[cudabob496]

Summit Racing may have a good crate engine

[Bullitt-]

couple of folks not so happy with CME  Carolina Machine Engine http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=110811.0
360/318 swap is almost direct.. one thing I know about is a slight difference in motor mounts on some 360's that need to be allowed for.

[Bullitt-]

Ya know anything about these folks local to ya?

http://www.mjmengines.com/motors

http://jbaspeedshop.com/p-30873-performance-engines.html

[Chryco Psycho]

Have you talked to Muscle motors . Eric may be able to help u out , crate engines are generally not great

[Jimmy C]

Thanks for the input fellas. Maybe I can just have the original block overhauled and back to new again.

[dfrazz]

Thanks for the input fellas. Maybe I can just have the original block overhauled and back to new again.

I bought a crate 408 stroker from Carolina Machine Engines and will never buy any crate engine again.  Find a block, buy the parts you know work (the right cam, pistons, crank, rod, heads, etc), find a reputable shop close to you and have the work done.  It will be cheaper in the end and you know the specs of the engine and that it was done correctly.  If there is an issue you can go to the shop and not have to re-ship it across the country.