then i vote RB 440-Stroker (500ci+) power, resale, bang-4-the-buck, ease of getting parts and fit in the install bay (maybe youll want to add A/C ?), as well as the amount of knowledge and prior experience out there on it.
The single biggest constraint I have is the longevity of the car itself. My drive-way turn-over rate is legendary - like with every other car, if this one cannot fit my needs I'll trade up. Therefore I want to be basic in my modifications (at least at first,) but also give the car a fighting chance - (i.e. no sense in putting a $10,000+ motor into a car that might not be with me next Christmas, but at the same time the 318/Auto pretty much guarantees it wouldn't.)
manuals are more fun to drive, but its easier to drink a big-gulp and eat cheeseburgers while drving an auto tranny. If heavy traffic is lots of stop and go, it gets stale working 1-2-1-2-3-2-3-2-1-2 every 1/4 mile or less.
This makes car #35 for me so far (note comment about turn-over above.) Out of 35 cars 18 had autos. Out of 18 autos I've had to buy or rebuild 21 (my 2nd transmission is about to go on my ram making 22 total.) Three 727s, two TH400s, and two 48RE later I'd be a tough sell for keeping this one.
another option is swapping in a 5.7 or 6.1Hemi.
Its still a very viable option. I've been keeping my ears to the ground for a nice SRT8 donor or a cheap crate, but so far I'm running head first into the whole initial price issue with these as well. All things considered I'll probably stick with another V10 before switching over to a new Hemi (personal preference) ... that is if I can make it fit.
