Swaping a late 70's car over to a BB

[dodge freak 2]

Yeah this is Cuda / Challenger but I have no smog safety checks for any cars. We have no drunk driving check points, red light / speed cameras.  State supreme court ruled against them over 10 years ago and all is dandy for us motor heads.

Got a 1979 Magnum with a SB.

What is involved if anybody knows to swap in a 400 or 440 motor? Sure looks like enough room in the engine bay and many SB parts I can sell on ebay.     

[360 'CUDA]

Same engine bay as a '73 Charger for example.  No problems with the swap as far as that goes.  Just get the right mounts, radiator, transmission ect and go for it.

[dodge freak 2]

Yeah I might. A 400 came with some 1978's.

Having a hard time justify spending over $3,000 for a SB stoker short block.

[Challenger6pak]

I have done the swap before.  It is as 360 states.  You will also have to lengthen the alternator wires and change the temperature sensor wire.  These are no big deal.  The car will not stop as well or turn as well with the BB.  You will need larger sway bars if you want to compensate. Since the BB has more weight you will have to raise the suspension adjustments and have the car realigned. Even without a stroker kit the 360 can be made to perform well.

[dodge freak 2]

My alternator wire has all ready been upgraded to a 6 gauge wire to support the amps and subwoofers in my trunk

I'm getting sick of thinking about this all, I should have put a BB in long ago when I had more mental drive. I used to enjoy working on my ride, I see it now as a job

Still enjoy driving it but not working on it.....or spending $3,000+ dollars on it.

30 years of messing around with hot rods have taken its toll on me I guess.

I'm thinking of kicking back and watching Ebay for a SB, be the cheapest and easiest way out of this jam but heck it could take half of summer to find a good deal

[dodge freak 2]

Even without a stroker kit the 360 can be made to perform well.

True but getting prices from a few shops it seems they want almost as much $$$$.

And buying a rebuilt basic 198? 360  rebuilt Short Block on Ebay for $1,000+ seems risky. I then need around $400 in parts for a 360 oil pan, B&M flex plate,  front balancer,  gaskets...guess gaskets I will need anyways.

[dodge freak 2]

Maybe I should just buy a engine stand, rent a hoist for half a day and rip the motor apart myself and take the stuff to a machine shop..heck I live near a shop Manici Racing recommended.

But the 318 block has been bore .030 already and a piece is  missing on a bottom of a bore from when I threw a rod in 2001. But maybe its fine like the shop said at the time

KB does make lots of pistons now for a 318 in .040 and .060 over.

That might be the cheapest way out without taking a gamble.

[Chryco Psycho]

The Magnum had the 400 stock so it should be no issue to bolt a 440 in , it has the same engine bay as the later 73 up B body , I think there is an issue getting good headers to fit 

[Challenger6pak]

Your car has a lot of weight for a 318. You need more torque. My 79 300 with the stock 360 was good for 15's in the quarter.  Since it had 14,000 miles on it I sold it to a collector 4 years ago.  I thought about putting the big block in it also. I would go with a 360 or larger engine. I know of 3) 360 engines in my area that are in late 80's trucks.  You can hear them run and buy them for under $300 ea. It is the 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other situation. All you can do is research it and figure out if the big block or the small block is the best for you. 
My Magnum had the t-tops.  I see very few that way.  Does yours have them?

[dodge freak 2]

Yeah but the 3.91 gears help move the car pretty good.

Those T-tops were all around when they first came out how I recalled. The true motor heads did not all like them. Oh the allowed the car way more air and sunshine but weaken the sub frame bodies even more. Nope, I thought the car be stronger without them.