6 cylinder conversion

[money pit]

I just bought a 70 Barracuda with a slant six. If I want to convert to a small block, would I need to replace the K member and torsion bars. Could I use the same 904 trans. I'm trying to decide weither to keep the six or go to a small block. Any advice?  Thanks

[moparstyle]

You need a V8 k-member (easy to find), the torsion bars will work but might be too soft. The six cylinder trans will not fit a V8, bolt pattern and starter motor placement different.

[340challconvert]

The slant six e-bodies are starting to become more rare and unique.
Everybody is converting them to a V-8
Have you considered keeping the slant six: they are getting more rare because of the conversions?
Good luck with your new car.

[money pit]

I'm seriously looking at keeping the 6 cyl. I know they build performance parts and fuel injection for it. I'm looking for a reliable daily driver. Thanks

[TelisSE440]

The slant six e-bodies are starting to become more rare and unique.
Everybody is converting them to a V-8
Have you considered keeping the slant six: they are getting more rare because of the conversions?
Good luck with your new car.

[340challconvert]

I'm seriously looking at keeping the 6 cyl. I know they build performance parts and fuel injection for it. I'm looking for a reliable daily driver. Thanks

With the right add on's you will have a daily driver that is unique and gets great gas mileage!

[cudabob496]

can't see a car with a straight six being a solid investment.
on the street, every granny mobile will beat it.
and who really cares about gas mileage with a muscle car?

[Rich G]

Do you want a muscle car or a car that people rarely see? You won't have to put a ton of money into it and it will still be a cool car even if it is slow! There's one in my area all restored that I see occasionally at a show and it always draws a crowd. I'd keep it a six just to be different.

[73440]

From a local Sat car show

[cudabob496]

a very slow Barracuda would be different.

[340challconvert]

Do you want a muscle car or a car that people rarely see? You won't have to put a ton of money into it and it will still be a cool car even if it is slow! There's one in my area all restored that I see occasionally at a show and it always draws a crowd. I'd keep it a six just to be different.

I'm with you on this!

[E-body /6]

Hi all, E-body/6 here, I guess my user name Identifys me. Yes I own one of those car's that you may see now and then. It has been with me since 1973, I purchased it from my local Dodge dealership w/ 40K on the clock for $1,100., to use as a daily driver. I'm sure that the color attracted me (EK2 go-mango) she was all dressed out in SE trim, inside and out, inside being in black. All of the sheet metal, outside of the hood, came originally w/ this car. Never has been in a major accident and now has on it 562K miles. Under the hood a 225 SL6, dressed in Super Six trim, backed up by Auto.(904, B&M shift improver) then an 8 3/4 (742 case) 3.23 gear set. In all the years I've owned this car, I have had plenty of time to drop a V8 in it, have I, nope! not I. I like it just the way it is. I've actually had favorable reviews at the local shows and cruises, here in SoCal, that has to say something. My Dodge also is a first day issue off of the LA assy. line, Aug. '69, #113. That makes it kinda special. Thanks,   Al

[7212Mopar]

One of my high school friend had a slant 6 Duster, 3 on the tree, manual steering and manual brake. It was slow and not easy to drive in the city but great gas mileage. He traded in his 318 Scamp for it to save gas going to school. We used to make fun of him even though our 318 E body cars weren't that fast at all. I think when people look at a muscle car, they would expect a V8. On the other hand keeping it as original and slant 6 sure would keep the value better. Not too many still around for sure.

[money pit]

Thanks. does anyone know if they make a bolt on fuel injection set up? I was looking at fuel injection or a 4 barrel.

[shadango]

Do you want a muscle car or a car that people rarely see? You won't have to put a ton of money into it and it will still be a cool car even if it is slow! There's one in my area all restored that I see occasionally at a show and it always draws a crowd. I'd keep it a six just to be different.

 

My son's 1980 Volare with a redone slant 6 (super sixed) gets as much attention as my sublime barracuda with a souped up small block -- if that sort of thing is important.  When I go to shows now I tend to look for DIFFERENT and slant 6 is.

For a daily driver the slant 6 makes more sense too IMHO, another reason we chose to rebuild the slanty rather than swap to a small block.

Unless you are going to convert to a stroker small block, a big block or a hemi where you have 400+ HP, its hard to say that a stockish 318 or even a 340 or 360 Barracuda is a "muscle car".......many (most?) family sedans these days make the same horsepower that the small blocks of that era made.

I have had people make comments at shows about how my car "is just a small block"......then they go and get into a 4 cylinder rice burner....I figure I have my toy and they dont so why do I care if I get "respect" or not...LOL