my Low dollar 318 hop-up project

-
318willrun

318willrun

Utube channel 318willrun
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2013
Messages
21,504
Reaction score
27,816
Location
I'm here
We see this question all the time ... "gotta a 318 2bbl in a Duster, Dart, etc.... wanna add some spunk and I have limited knowledge and less money".....

I'm going to do a 318 hop-up, not a rebuild. This can be done with the engine in the car.

Two things I ask from FABO friends that have knowledge:
1). thumbs up, fine! But NO opinions/suggestions on what you would do, not interested.
2). If you did it a different way, fine. Start your own thread, don't post it here! Many recipes makes a bad cake!

The Project:

My project is a '74 Duster, 904, 7 1/4 rear. The engine is a '76 318 2bbl I pulled from a Duster with 904 tranny. It has 120,*** miles on it, ran fine but smoked bad on start up due to bad valve seals. It is an untouched, greasy, gunky motor. Right now the '74 Duster has a slant. The installation is NOT the thread, just focusing on the hop-up that can be done in the car. I will post pictures, maybe a video, and the results from the dragway as time permits.
 
*This project assumes you already have dual exhaust. If not, that will be must before you start*. I'm doing it with manifolds, no headers.

Budget is to stay under 499.00 for all purchases including gaskets.

Goal: Be realistic! If you want to run with your rich uncles Hellcat Challenger, no need to read further.
Goal here is simple. Most factory muscle cars in the late 60's to early 70's are well documented to have run between 14.20's - 15.60's. I want to run in the middle, high 14's. The target of my goal is to run with a factory '73 340 Duster. They have been well documented to run low 15's with auto and 3.23 gearing. With slicks they hit high 14's, and this is my target.

Obstacles: To try to get the 318 to run what the '73 340 duster ran but all these less's:
1). Less valve size
2). Less port size
3). Less bore size (A lot less bore equaling 22 cubic inches!!!)
4). Less compression (just a tab less than a '73)
5). Less gearing (3.23 vs 2.76.... still need to confirm my gearing)

Maybe the task is too tall and I won't reach my goals, but I'm going to try. If I do meet my goals, it would be fun to run with the muscle cars by throwing under 499 bucks at a 318 2bbl.... , and not changing converter or gears! :D
 
That's the biggest problem here is everyone likes to add there two cents into what your doing wrong and what they would do (better) and cheaper while mucking up your thread showing how to have a little fun on the cheap.

Forge on!
 
Just wondering if any of your mods will be transmission related?
 
You can make a 318 run good with dual exhaust, 4 bbl, and a double roller timing chain as a baseline, then work from there as budget permits.... :D

I'm interested in seeing how this turns out... :happy1:
 
Not telling you how to build it, but FYI, the mancini racing "refresh" kit is a good start.

Main & rod bearings, rings, and gasket kit for $200...

http://www.manciniracing.com/sea318enkit.html

Run a quick ball hone through it, and you have a nice start...

(Where are you at in IL? I have a ball hone I can bring over to play with if you're close enough to me - southwest burbs of Chicago...)
 
Mguner, no tranny upgrades. Focus is on the 318.

Krazycuda, follow along. Should be fun! Hope to help some less experienced folks... something a kid in H.S. can do on a part time job... :) Yes, that kit is good, but this is a build they can do without pulling the motor. In the car with a few bucks.
 
Are you against pulling the heads pocket porting and using a thin head gasket?

Hei ignition conversion?

Exhaust cutouts?

340 cam?
 
And the suggestions are rolling in all ready!

So much for the OP's asking for a single favor.
 
Crackedback - yeah, a 125 hit of juice would do it.... lol. Not going on the bottle, that needs a refill quite often and is expensive. Also, very risky for a newbie :D

72valiant4dr - Heads will be a big part, but I won't make to many friends when I video what I do, but trust me, it will be "newbie friendly" and it will work :D

This project is already started, so I'll be posting some stuff here in a couple of days.
 
I like it a reasonable and obtainable goal.
Too many shoot for the moon even before they get a decent running car.
 
I'm a HUGE fan of the mighty 318!
Plus, I happen to have 318 Barracuda!

I definitely fall under the category of "less experienced"

I'm gonna munch on some popcorn, and try to learn something! !!!!

Jeff
 
Not on much lately, but I'll watch this one. And ignore any suggestions that may come in.
 
I'm watching this one. As stated, so many people ask this. I like where your going here. This would make a great magazine article.
 
Love a case study, especially hearing about how you decided what you did. I know, this may compel some to opine, but 318willrun please ignore them and share your thinking anyway.
 
Similar to what I have planned for this 318 in the Duster. Holley 600 / performer intake / 318 exhaust manifolds / dual exhaust currently. The cam and converter are unknowns from previous owner, car came assembled and running and I am leaving well enough alone for now. 3.55 rear gears with the Dana swap woke it up considerably, plan on putting the airgap intake and possibly some 360 manifolds on this spring just to see if it helps. Once the wife gets some seat time it may be cam / head upgrade time.

Interested to see what you come up with...:happy1:
 
And more jump in with THERE build and ideas still yet....
 
tnts72 said:
Interested to see what you come up with...:happy1:
Click to expand...

That's what this part was for... Interested to see what he can squeek out of the teener in semi stock trim, some of us throw stock into the wind :hello2:
 
I like the backyard hone idea,regasket etc. El cheapo headers fit the bill as well. Finding a used 4 bbl intake is a score,as would be a good 4 bbl carb like a tq or whatever.Even a cast iron 360 4bbl intake will work. A summit cam is about as cheap as it gets,but there may be other brands which have almost as good a price.Dual exhaust for sure with an h or x pipe too. And as always,GEARS. 3:23 is good,3:55 better.
 
needsaresto said:
I like the backyard hone idea,regasket etc. El cheapo headers fit the bill as well. Finding a used 4 bbl intake is a score,as would be a good 4 bbl carb like a tq or whatever.Even a cast iron 360 4bbl intake will work. A summit cam is about as cheap as it gets,but there may be other brands which have almost as good a price.Dual exhaust for sure with an h or x pipe too. And as always,GEARS. 3:23 is good,3:55 better.
Click to expand...


Glad to see you read the 1st post.............. LOL
 
This is going to be a good thread, I already know about HS budget and how to get a 318 down the road cheap, done it to my HS car in the mid 80's.
I was lucky and had a drag strip 3 miles from my house so I have time slips to compare when you are done.

Keep up the good work.
 
good idea for a thread! lots of young guys lacking funds and older guys like me, that think "keep costs down" and " everything does NOT have to be the ultimate and perfectitis" !????

have same engine sitting in the 64 dart LOOKING for a cable shift S B 904! (ad) ha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top