Hello everyone!

I am hoping someone can assist with the best way to convert my slant 6 1974 Dodge Dart swinger to a V8(360-383) all your tips and help would be greatly appreciated. Please note that money is an issue and I need to know what would be the most affordable way to get my dodge rolling and looking good(especially the most important things I should do).

First I was thinking of upgrading the engine(360-383)?

Should I upgrade brakes and sway bar?

Wheels any sizerecommendations with out conversions?

Thanks I look forward to your response, please note I am not a mechanic and can use any advice!! Thanks again

 

What size of block were you thinking about putting in? If you wanted a small block you can find motor mounts to up-grade from a slantto a small block V-8 (like a340 or360) in restoration books like Year One, and i think JC Whitney sells them also. If you want a big block you are probably gonna want to get a doner car for the front clip in order to fit the motor.

 

I was thinking of a small block. But should I upgrade brakes and sway bar as well? anything else? or can that wait?

Thanks

 

Im not sure if you need to for a 318 , but for a 340 or 360 i think you might have to. As for the sway bar its never a bad idea to upgrade it.

 

Hey,

I changed my 69 dart from a slant 6 to a 318 and i had all around drums with no power, and it stops just fine with the 318 but for the sway bar i would say to upgrade it.

 

The cheapest way to do your swap would be a set of motor mounts from schumacher engineering. They have conversion mounts to put almost any engine in any body/truck. As far as the torsion bars, if you are going to drag race it. leave the six cylinder bars in it, for driving and street, I would recommend that you upgrade them. Disc brakes aren't a "must" if your drums are in good shape and set up correctly, they will work fine, but swaping to discs isn't hard to do either. The best thing for you to do if you can find one, (and afford one) is to find a 73-up small block A body w/front discsand do a front Kframe, control arms etc..swap. Also get the proportioning valve to go with your disc brake setup! There are companies that sell disc swap kits forMoPars like stainless steel brakes and a few others. Grab a Mopar Muscle or a Mopar Action and check out the vendors. If you want to get really crazy, Alterktion could make a whole new world of possibilities as well as destroy your wallet! Good luck!