Put 318 or 383 in my cuda?

[dalevt]

So, the 318 in my cuda has seen its better days and is going to be replaced soon, with a used engine.  I have a supposedly rebuilt 318 with a supposedly rebuilt 727 sitting in my shop that I was planning on swapping in.  The engine is supossedly slightly hopped up.  The engine came with a 69 Charger I bought and the guy is a major douche, so it may very well be missing the pistons for all I know.

My friend has a 1967 Chrysler 383 with 727 for $500, with 6000 miles on complete overhaul of the engine and "good" transmission, all of which I can hear run if I take a trip to his place.

My cuda is an original 340 car.  Would I have to get a big block K frame? or could I just get big block mounts and box the K frame?  Does it matter that it is a 67, for mounting and wiring purposes?

AND, what would be better: 383 or 318?

thanks

[sleepychallenger]

i am a 383 fan so i say go that way. the K frame is the same big or small block just the mounts are different (excluding Hemi). Of course there will be some wiring differences between small block and big block but nothing that you couldnt handle.

Drew

[moper]

It's up to you, but I'd get the 383/727 and use that one. It has all you need in th car. Mounting plates, the kickdown linkage... If your car had a 340 the driveshaft will even work perfectly.

[snowdog]

I had / have a 383 magnum in my Cuda and it ran great.  Many of my friends had/have them also.  The 383 has to be one of the most under rated engines on planet.  Power and reliability wise.

Snowdoggie.

[Super Blue 72]

For a Cuda I would definately go 383. 

[swede-cuda]

 :wave:absolutely a hp motor in a cuda.if to choose between those 2 the 383 is the winner,and totaly overhauled to,go for it

[ireland383]

Go with the 383!

[Moparal]

k member will work, just a couple of wires need to be lengthend is all, course you got brackets n pullies and radiator inlts to transfer over

[challngd73]

For so many reasons, the 383.  If I had an empty engine bay, and the choice of a 318 or 383, it wouldnt be much of a choice for me.  But also, you said the 318 was owned by a less than stellar individual, and you are taking his word on its condition.  The 383 is owned by a friend so, hopefuly, its condition is a known commodity.  For peace of mind and a happy right foot, I would go 383.

[acudanut]

383 

[Fleet 500]

The extra amount of torque of the 383-4 bbl would come in handy (425 lbs-ft torque for the 383 VS 340 lbs-ft for the 318).

[Sean]

Sounds like you'd probably have to put $500 into the 318 anyways.  Go for the 383!

Sean

[ragtopdodge]

383 of course.

THe extra weight on the front, it'd be a good idea to install some heavier duty torsion bars and put a front sway bar on the front (and rear; it helps!) if not already on one.

Wiring isn't that much diff.  You should be able to get your existing wiring to work.

Kickdown is diff.

Be sure to install a mini-starter on there if you plan on running headers.  PITA to change w/those headers in there.

[acudanut]

 Looks like this was a No Brainer

[mcgheejt]

383