Author Topic: Suggestions (Read 1796 times)

pitbull · « **on:** June 30, 2005 - 12:40:05 PM »

Hello Everyone,
I just bought my first Mopar, a 1974 Barracuda. Actually, it's just a shell, no motor, no tranny, not even chunk. It was originally a 318 auto. I'm looking for suggestions on which direction to go. I don't want to go back to a 318. I was thinking about a 440 or a 383, but have also kicked around the idea of a 340 or 360. I'm probably going to stick with the auto transmission to save some hassle. I'm wide open for suggestions. I'm also interested in knowing what other considerations that I need to think about before going to a BB. I know I'll need new motor mounts, and torsion bars. I've read that the brake system also needs to be replaced, and some of the electrical system. Thanks, Danny.

triple black · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2005 - 12:55:39 PM »

Bull, I'm new to the restomod game, but I would say to try to stick to what was a factory option for that year. For instance, if a 360 was the baddest engine available in a '74, then I would go with that and make modifications within that kind of framework. Make sense?

hotrod98 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2005 - 01:12:39 PM »

Pitbull,
You have to look at the car and think to yourself..."what would be the perfect car for me?" Do you care about gas mileage? If you do, believe me big blocks are out. Do you want fast and furious? Small block 318's are out. The bigger the motor...the more expensive usually. My wife wanted a reliable good gas mileage motor in her 73 cuda that would run great and sound great. We bought a wrecked 95 Dodge truck and used the 360 and od tranny along with the computer and cruise control. You have to modify the trans crossmember, merge the two wiring harnesses together (or buy a ready made harness) and it's best to convert to electric fans. If you don't have a driveline to begin with you'll be surprised how much cheaper this method is. My wife drive's like a bat out of hell and still gets 23 mpg. With the flowmasters it sounds healthy but starts at the hit of the key.
As for big blocks, I have383's, 440's and 426 hemi's in my cars and the 383 is plenty big enough and they say that you can't blow up a 383. My 383 Roadrunner runs as well as my 440 Charger. A lot of guys around here build 400's which is a b block similar to the 383. It's a little harder to find some parts for the 383 like a six pack intake...stuff like that, but the regular stuff is all available new. The hemi is a whole other ballgame. Extremely expensive. I probably won't be buying another hemi anytime soon.
Good Luck...have fun with your car and don't ever sell it.

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TreeFrog · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2005 - 02:12:47 PM »

if you find yourself selling this car soon after you are finished, because you cant aford to drive (pay for gas) you will regret putting a big block in.

a strong 340-360 would be fine for a street machine... but realy Like above...what do you want to do race, drive, park on the strip and show off... what makes you happy is a good place to start.

for a 74 I personaly would look at a 360 ... but that is just me. I like my 340 (big fan of them)

BlueStreak_Johnnie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2005 - 11:04:02 PM »

Hey Pit, I m' in the same boat as you except my rolling chassis came with a 383 block.� I'm probably gonna buy everything like mounts and stuff from schumacher

Link to their website

If i find anything else out about the swap I'll pass it along. I'm curious what did you hear about the electrical that needs conversion?

J.

4Cruizn · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2005 - 11:23:59 PM »

Welcome to cc.com pitbull!! Great place here for us MOPAR people!! Love to see some pics of that 74!! Stick around and enjoy!!

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2005 - 01:01:23 AM »

either the small block or big block will bolt in fine , make sure the suspension & brakes are up to the task

pitbull · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2005 - 04:08:39 AM »

Thanks for the replies and welcomes. I'm starting to learn quite a bit just from looking around. This is a great site. I'm picking up the car on the 12th of this month from Tennessee, and as soon as I get back I'll take some pics to post. The car probably won't be a daily driver. I'll take it out here and there, and probably go to the local drag strip once in a while, just to see what she'll do. Part of me would like to have a car that shakes the earth, and puts fear into the neighbors when I start it up, but I know that is kind of unrealistic for my first Mopar. I've been looking around and have seen that people are getting some horses out of 360's. My question is: What is the difference in performance vs. fuel efficency for a well built 360, and a fairly stock 383 or 440?

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2005 - 12:19:44 AM »

Realistically either a 360 or 440 can get well into the 20 MPG range built properly , I have driven & built 440s that get over 20 MPG

Author Topic: Suggestions (Read 1796 times)

pitbull

Suggestions

triple black

Re: Suggestions

hotrod98

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TreeFrog

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BlueStreak_Johnnie

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4Cruizn

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Chryco Psycho

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pitbull

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Chryco Psycho

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