5.7L Hemi, 1968 Barracuda.. Opinions.

[orange68cuda]

So I have a 5.7L Hemi I got out of my buddies 08 Ram, the thing is in awesome shape but bone stock.. What kind of work can I look forward to if I were to swap my 318 for this engine? The car is a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback (Avatar pic) Skies the limit right? Just looking for opinions/experience from people who've done it or atleast have more knowledge than myself. Thanks for any help! :P

[orange68cuda]

option 2, rebuild my 360 and make a 408 stroker.. suggestions/opinions?

[5.7 hemi]

Go with the Hemi!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watch what ya spend and were you spend it and you will have a ride that will be a blast, not to mention the cool factor.

[sydcuda]

408 stroker....3rd gen hemis are ugly looking IMHO ...only hemi that belongs in a 68 cuda is a 426

[Fishy]

Originally Posted by sydcuda

408 stroker....3rd gen hemis are ugly looking IMHO ...only hemi that belongs in a 68 cuda is a 426

Granted the 426 Hemi is great in an A body.......if you only wanna go straight. Never have liked big blocks in A bodies. They just don't handle with that much weight up front! I'd go with the 360 bored to a 408 stroker if it were mine.

[hemijoejr]

Hemi all the way!!!! Here's mine!!!

[hemijoejr]

Originally Posted by orange68cuda

So I have a 5.7L Hemi I got out of my buddies 08 Ram, the thing is in awesome shape but bone stock.. What kind of work can I look forward to if I were to swap my 318 for this engine? The car is a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback (Avatar pic) Skies the limit right? Just looking for opinions/experience from people who've done it or atleast have more knowledge than myself. Thanks for any help! :P

In order to replace your 318 with the simplest hemi conversion you can make with the least amount of money is,
a stock SB K frame
Motor mounts (TTI)
Oil filter block off plate and a remote mounted oil filter setup (TTI)
Headers (TTI)
Oil Pan (Center sump)
Special flex Plate and neutral balance converter (Hemi bolts right up to a SB 727 or 904)
MSD Hemi 6 and matching wiring harness
Stock coils
Carbed intake
Carb
Throttle cable and kick down cable
Manual steering box (power won't fit with the stock K frame)
Stock truck clutch fan with a smaller reverse rotation aftermarket fan (Flex a lite reverse rotation clutch fan)
You can use a radiator for a late model SB (1970-up) A body with a truck timing chain cover and a modified upper water neck (on the engine not the rad).

I think I remembered everything but no promisses!!!

[orange68cuda]

great looking cuda hemijoejr!

still trying to make up my mind and i agree with both sydcuda and fishy.. 408 stroker wouldnt definately be cheaper and more time effecient, hemi would take some time and unfortunately more money.. how much hp is that thing throwing out hemijoe?

i think i might make building that hemi and getting things ready a secondary project and get a 408 stroker built sooner than later. especially since i can bolt that thing right in! thanks for the advice guys and ill let you know what happens!

[hemijoejr]

Originally Posted by orange68cuda

great looking cuda hemijoejr!

still trying to make up my mind and i agree with both sydcuda and fishy.. 408 stroker wouldnt definately be cheaper and more time effecient, hemi would take some time and unfortunately more money.. how much hp is that thing throwing out hemijoe?

i think i might make building that hemi and getting things ready a secondary project and get a 408 stroker built sooner than later. especially since i can bolt that thing right in! thanks for the advice guys and ill let you know what happens!

It should be around 500hp. Still a 5.7L, I didn't srtoke it. I ran a best of 12.60 @ 110.8 with an awfull 2.07 60' time. 3600lb car w me in it. I ony had the car to the track twice so I have alot of tuning to go. I'm shootin for high 11s next year after my torque converter change.

Check out my build pics.

And yes I absolutely agree about the stroker motor being the cheapest way with the most power. I was lookin to be different.

[LS-300]

I have a 360 you should use and sell me the Hemi. LOL
Actually the way hemijoejr did his is exactly the way I want to do mine. Old school looks with new age power. I also want to hook mine up to a TKO 5-speed just for fun! BTW hemijoejr did you have any clearance issues with the air cleaner? Looks to stick up thru thr hood.

[hemijoejr]

Originally Posted by LS-300

I have a 360 you should use and sell me the Hemi. LOL
Actually the way hemijoejr did his is exactly the way I want to do mine. Old school looks with new age power. I also want to hook mine up to a TKO 5-speed just for fun! BTW hemijoejr did you have any clearance issues with the air cleaner? Looks to stick up thru thr hood.

Yup!! The air cleaner needs to move foreward to clear the wiper motor and the carbs are in a different place than the 426 was. I modified an aftermarket spun aluminum base and made offset studs to mount the air cleaner down through the stock holes. No it does not clear the hood. I'm lucky the hood scoop was there. I had a six pack on the small block I had in car originaly so I was going to go with an oval 71 style hemi air cleaner but I like the Chrome dome better. Fits the era.

[Tincup]

At the risk of starting a war, Do you guys still run Windows 3.1 on your PC. ?, do you still play with your Rubiks Cube? Do you still listen to the hair bands of the 60's ? ( well OK I do too...). All the old engines are great, but their OLD, 50 YEARS OLD... It's time to get with the times, the new HEMI's have been out for 5 years now, and you can get anything you need for them to go as fast as you want. Ya, they might cost a little more, but hey, that 55" plasma TV your watching cost more than your old 25" tube, do you want to go back to that? I doubt it! The more Hot Rodders (especially Mopars) embrace the new technology, the cheaper and more pleantifull it will get ( Chevy LS1 ring a bell). So come on guys, ask you wives to borrow you testicles back and build something unique, not another 360 with rally wheels on it like every other Mopar out there. Just My Opinion.....

[orange68cuda]

tincup, good point. luckily im single (own my testicles) and i think my cuda is far from ordinary.. custom dash, custom door panels, loud stereo system, lambo paint, and def. no rally wheels. I see your point loud and clear and thats why im questioning myself on this hemi motor i have, i want something unique but also dont want to spend 3 years building it.. decisions decisions!! thanks for everyones input.. definately helping me make up my mind..

[orange68cuda]

where are your build pics hemijoe? definately interested!!

EDIT: found em, love em..