V4 360 Chrysler kit

40% better gas mileage at 55...on a Mopar 'bog' block...

"...Essentially, Joe's transformation involves de-energizing every other power pulse in the V8's firing order by "immobilizing" the valve train for cylinders two, three, five and eight. Of course, the inlet valves had to stay put to prevent air from being pumped into the intake manifold by the rising pistons. And — in order to maintain pressure in the valve lifter oil gallery — the hydraulic lifters were raised out of the cam shaft's reach and locked in position. (The spark plugs and wires serving the inactive cylinders were also retained — they produce a "waste" arc which ignites any lingering vapors, helps to clean up emissions, and keeps the electronic ignition from overheating.)

The modification procedure was straightforward. Joe easily undercut the standard 11 hours of flat-rate time allotted for a valve job, a task which is very similar to the changeover. Then Joe and I went out for a spin. Though the V4 was a bit sluggish while accelerating to 20 mph, performance from that point and up to cruising speed was surprisingly good. (The mechanic loves to talk about the calculator-punching engineers who've computed that the four-cylinder powerplant shouldn't even be able to push the car's weight.) And I was amazed to find that the "new" V4 ran as smoothly as did the "full" V8 engine.

But the real fruit of Joe's labor turns up as gas mileage. The reincarnated Plymouth garnered nearly 21 mpg — a big eight-mpg improvement. I was impressed enough to learn the steps necessary to transform a Mopar V8 (a Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth product with a 383-, 400- or 440 cubic-inch motor and two-barrel-carburetor) from Superman back into a mild-mannered reporter."

V8 to V4 Conversion: Get 40 Percent Better Gas Mileage - Green Transportation - MOTHER EARTH NEWS