Hey guys I was wondering also if it's best to build off my 318ci stock engine and race it out or swap it first then go from there.? What's the biggest I can go for an engine before it won't fit in the bay? Also, I was asking because my pops sold his '69 Roadrunner w/ a 440 6-pack and that car was amazing. I could hit a wheelie about 4 inches off the ground ON THE FREEWAY! so I was wondering if I could fit a 440 in my Dart, if not, what's the largest MOPAR I can go?

 

The 440 will fit. The 426 HEMI will also fit. They both came from the factory in the '69 Darts, but they're tight fits. There were also quite a few that installed 440s in Darts in the mid 70s. The consensus was always that the 340 was a MUCH better choice given the amount of space available. Restrictive manifolds had to be used to fit the 440/426, and headers would be out of the question.

The 340 is a VERY quick motor, and much different than the other LA based wedge head 318s/360s. It used a HEMI-like head, and virtually untouchable by other small-blocks when it was in the "six-pack" configuration.

 

Rom pretty much said it all.... If you wanted to you could fit a Hemi in there, but be careful and take your time, dont want to crack a hemi block now do we?[sm=smiley11.gif]

Btw... if that is a numbers matching block and you arent going to do any major stuff to the actual car body such as chop it up..... you could take it out, set it aside for the future of retirement and glory, and just purchase a 318 Poly block... It is a more.... Lets say... ballsy engine.

 

thanx alot...so i wanna modify it and hook it up and stuff...so you guys think i should go with a 340 nd beef it up or the 440 and beef it up?

 

The 340 would be my choice. It would be a much better fit in the engine bay, and you'd be able to run some nice headers. A six-pack on top of it would be killer

The problem with 340s is they are a little hard to come by. I always wanted to drop one in a 2wd 79 Dodge Ramcharger...but I could never figure out which was more rare...a 340 or a 2wd Ramcharger

 

It is your choice, I would personally get a 440, closest power to a Hemi but much more realiable and keep tuned.

 

The thing you have to remember about the Swinger, is that it wasn't built for a 440

If you toss in a 440, you WILL have to beef up the suspension in the front as it's a heavy motor. You will also have to beef up everything from the front of the car to the back of the car (frame connectors, ladder bars, axle, etc.) The 440 is a torque monster...it will twist and stress the car, and eventually things are going to crack/loosen/break. Not a good thing, especially on an older car that you're trying to keep looking good. You'll also lose a lot of working room in the engine bay, not to mention the ability to run decent headers/manifolds.

It's not worth the hassle in my opinion...not when a 340 will do the job just as well

 

=D You have a good point there and I respect that opinion. Good tidbits and facts thrown in that I never really thought about.....

 

what are the sweetest cams i can get for the swinger until it's not street legal?

 

For the 318...or 340...or 440?