318 build for light weight BCuda 4 speed car

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ProStocker273

MoPar N Jeep
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Picked up at 73 dart for $450 with 318. Just pulled apart engine. I lucked out with a .30 over motor with KB 167s that sit +.01 above deck. Crank is -.01 under and looks to be fully machined and balanced. Heads turned out to be 596s with 2.02/1.6 valves already installed and have been decked down to 63cc chambers so guessing probably been cut -.05 on head surface.

I have a stock 65 4 speed in my barracuda now but have a complete aluminum overdrive 4 speed I just picked up I'd like to eventually run as I've have a 8.25 rear end with 4.56 gears and locker. So both have a 3.09 first gear but the over drive has a almost 3000rpm drop going into second gear but like the idea of the .71 overdrive. Which might be better trans for this combo? Planning on 30" tire as well. Home built 1-3/4 long tubes into 3" collector.


My barracuda is 2800lbs with almost finished mini tub and super stock springs and 73 dart bb discs. Currently have a built 273 with a tunnel ram with two holley 450s that runs great but planning on swapping in the 318 block/360heads (ported) in this winter. I'll be running 93 pump gas, i have manual brakes so manifold vacume is no concern. this is not a daily but do street drive car around town. My local track is at 100ft about sea level. I plan on running a solid cam with 273 adjustable rockers but looking for good cam with my combo. Wanting to go with a lunati cam but locking for best option to get me down the quarter quick and fast as I can with what I've got

Hard to find good recommendations for a 318 with a tunnel ram in a light 4 speed car with 4.56 rear gears.

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subscribed..... and cheering for you :D
 
Wow! A man who likes adventure!
What sized carbs are you running?
Syleng1
 
1/4 or 1/8 mile car?
What size wheel and tire will be raced?
Exact, if possible compression ratio?
Any porting work on the cylinder heads known?
E.T. sought?
Has the block been modified for high rpm usage?
(AKA, blocked oil passages, opened up oil passages? Lifter bores modified, corrected, sleeved?)

I personally don’t know anybody drag racing with the O.D. transmission. Being that Chrysler swapped where 3rd & 4th ride inside the transmission, many feel that the trans is week in overdrive. I myself never had the chance to put the screws to one of those transmissions.

What is your finish line rpm at?

As far as a cam goes, this is a widely, subjective and highly opinionated subject. A known tire size and compression ratio would help a lot and to a long way.

For simplicity sakes, a solid tappet cam will do the trick.
Now it is IMO that the cam should not only match the engine combo but also the rest of the drivetrain set up with an ET in mind to help select a duration @.050) number to get the operating rpm band where it’s needed.

On lift, knowing where the heads air flow stalls is an excellent help in how much the valve can be lifted. On a race oriented set up, briefly exceeding max flow capabilities is ok and good.

If your looking for a maximum output for maximum speed and lowest ET, a custom cam isn’t a bad idea and a call to a place like Bullet would be of great help and no nonsense. You do need to have your ducks lined up information wise.

Your description above is a good general one but lacks important information needed for best results.

If you want opinions on camshafts just for fun use, you can get them here.
 
This will be fun. The aluminum 4 speed will be a overdrive unit if it's a stocker.
 
Oh crap, I forgot to add a worthless 2 cents of camshaft choice... LOL

If I was running a 28 inch tire, something like the MP mechanical 284/.528 cam would work with the 4.56’s.
(That’s around 240 @ .050 duration)
I think the 296/.557 may be pushing it a bit.
 
Don't have experience with a 4 spd, nor a Tunnel ram, but I did run a Teener in my 65 Back-a-ruda, my best time with it was 12.54, 108mph; full write up is in 12 second combos; tires were M/T 275/60x15 drag radials, basically a 28x9 tire, gears were 4.88's; engine was single 4 bbl, 904 tranny with 4500 rpm stall converter.......I ran a Comp Cams XTQ281s-6, it screamed.

My opinion is that you could use less tire, ie shorter, or more gear.......30 inch tire is a lot of tire......you'll be fighting bog off the line...the OD 4 spds are not known as rugged units and I can't say that I have ever heard about people racing them; as you pointed out it's all about the gear spacing.....your 65 tranny would be a better choice as the gaps between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are closer together, the rub there is the trunion flange, I think but I am not 100% certain that you could swap the 65 guts into the aluminum OD case, use the OD main shaft, get rid of the trunion flange and some weight.

Good luck!!
 
Picked up at 73 dart for $450 with 318. Just pulled apart engine. I lucked out with a .30 over motor with KB 167s that sit +.01 above deck. Crank is -.01 under and looks to be fully machined and balanced. Heads turned out to be 596s with 2.02/1.6 valves already installed and have been decked down to 63cc chambers so guessing probably been cut -.05 on head surface.

I have a stock 65 4 speed in my barracuda now but have a complete aluminum overdrive 4 speed I just picked up I'd like to eventually run as I've have a 8.25 rear end with 4.56 gears and locker. So both have a 3.09 first gear but the over drive has a almost 3000rpm drop going into second gear but like the idea of the .71 overdrive. Which might be better trans for this combo? Planning on 30" tire as well. Home built 1-3/4 long tubes into 3" collector.


My barracuda is 2800lbs with almost finished mini tub and super stock springs and 73 dart bb discs. Currently have a built 273 with a tunnel ram with two holley 450s that runs great but planning on swapping in the 318 block/360heads (ported) in this winter. I'll be running 93 pump gas, i have manual brakes so manifold vacume is no concern. this is not a daily but do street drive car around town. My local track is at 100ft about sea level. I plan on running a solid cam with 273 adjustable rockers but looking for good cam with my combo. Wanting to go with a lunati cam but locking for best option to get me down the quarter quick and fast as I can with what I've got

Hard to find good recommendations for a 318 with a tunnel ram in a light 4 speed car with 4.56 rear gears.

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View attachment 1715403634


Call someone and order a cam. No need for an off the shelf cam with what you are doing. You'll need a lot less seat timing with the TR and a faster lobe.
 
1/4 or 1/8 mile car? 1/4
What size wheel and tire will be raced?
Front are skinnys 15x4 with 160/80/15s rear is 15x8 30"x12.5/15s MTs
Exact, if possible compression ratio?
10.2-10.4 depending on which head gasket I go with.
Any porting work on the cylinder heads known? Heads will be home ported/ CNC intake port and bowl openings rest of worked by hand. Polished cambers.Haven't had flowed yet but shooting for 250 at .550-.600 lift.

E.T. sought?
Low 11s is goal but really as fast as I can get with what I have.

Has the block been modified for high rpm usage?
(AKA, blocked oil passages, opened up oil passages? Lifter bores modified, corrected, sleeved?
Not yet still deburring block amd chasing threads. Gonna tube right side lifter valley and fill main to remove step. I have banana groved shafts for rockers and crank has been chamfered. I'll be running a windage tray as well.

I personally don’t know anybody drag racing with the O.D. transmission. Being that Chrysler swapped where 3rd & 4th ride inside the transmission, many feel that the trans is week in overdrive. I myself never had the chance to put the screws to one of those transmissions.
Just considering it as I know guys running them behind big blocks fine. With 4.56 gears would be nice to have the .71 OD. Proabbly run the 65 4speed then swap in OD later to see how it goes but will change the gears for little more even spread.

What is your finish line rpm at?
6400rpm on paper

As far as a cam goes, this is a widely, subjective and highly opinionated subject. A known tire size and compression ratio would help a lot and to a long way.

For simplicity sakes, a solid tappet cam will do the trick.
Now it is IMO that the cam should not only match the engine combo but also the rest of the drivetrain set up with an ET in mind to help select a duration @.050) number to get the operating rpm band where it’s needed.

On lift, knowing where the heads air flow stalls is an excellent help in how much the valve can be lifted. On a race oriented set up, briefly exceeding max flow capabilities is ok and good.

If your looking for a maximum output for maximum speed and lowest ET, a custom cam isn’t a bad idea and a call to a place like Bullet would be of great help and no nonsense. You do need to have your ducks lined up information wise.

Your description above is a good general one but lacks important information needed for best results.

If you want opinions on camshafts just for fun use, you can get them here.

Currently not really looking to pay for custom grind but looking at one of luntai Voodoo Solid grinds.

Its 278/278 duration .570/.570lift 251/251@.050
105/99. Operating range of 3000-7000 rpm.
 
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Call someone and order a cam. No need for an off the shelf cam with what you are doing. You'll need a lot less seat timing with the TR and a faster lobe.

I'm gonna get on the phone with lunati next week and see what they recommend. They have another cam I really liked but it says 10.5 minimum compression. Most I can get out of my setup is gonna be 10.2-10.4.

It's a Voodoo series hydraulic flat tappet cam but i would run with solid lifters. Its speced at
284/292 .533/.552 lift 242/252 @.050 110/106
Says cam rpm range is 2500-6600rpm but again says minimum 10.5 compression.

Currently running 36° timing with the distributor locked out on the 273 and runs great.
 
Don't have experience with a 4 spd, nor a Tunnel ram, but I did run a Teener in my 65 Back-a-ruda, my best time with it was 12.54, 108mph; full write up is in 12 second combos; tires were M/T 275/60x15 drag radials, basically a 28x9 tire, gears were 4.88's; engine was single 4 bbl, 904 tranny with 4500 rpm stall converter.......I ran a Comp Cams XTQ281s-6, it screamed.

That's pretty good run. What was done to engine, 360 heads, cam, etc?

My opinion is that you could use less tire, ie shorter, or more gear.......30 inch tire is a lot of tire......you'll be fighting bog off the line...the OD 4 spds are not known as rugged units and I can't say that I have ever heard about people racing them; as you pointed out it's all about the gear spacing.....your 65 tranny would be a better choice as the gaps between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are closer together, the rub there is the trunion flange, I think but I am not 100% certain that you could swap the 65 guts into the aluminum OD case, use the OD main shaft, get rid of the trunion flange and some weight.

Yeah I know my 65 trans is much stronger and would love the aluminum case weight savings. I plan to put a passion performance gear kit in the OD 4 speed so would be even spread but have the OD. I know with the OD I would need to go smaller tires like a 28" for sure. Want to run a 30" because of the 3.09 first gear. My BCuda is pretty light so hoping it will leave strong. Will see

Good luck!!

Thank ya
 
This will be fun. The aluminum 4 speed will be a overdrive unit if it's a stocker.

Yes Sir, pulled it out of a 84 Ram 318 truck. Was gonna buy motor and trans for $200. Guy messaged me couple days before I went to pull em and said he would like to keep the motor but if I came out and helped could have the OD 4speed and all associated parts for free. Hell if a deal.
 
Wow! A man who likes adventure!
What sized carbs are you running?
Syleng1

The my are holley list 9776 450cfm mechanical secondaries with no coke horns. I jetted them down 6 sizes from stock and changed the pump cams from the pink to the green. Fires up quickly but gotta feather the gas till its warm. Throttle is crisp and I have not hesitation which is little suprising on a 273.
 
IIRC, member 408cuda, if the screen name is correct, runs that cam in his ride to the tune of 11.1’s. His engine is a 408 (duh) and Edelbrock efi. @ 11-1 with ported Edelbrock heads.

I think your certainly in the ball park of the goal sought.
I just don’t know about the OD trans. I have one as well I was hoping to get into a street strip Duster.

Currently not really looking to pay for custom grind but looking at one of luntai Voodoo Solid grinds.

Its 278/278 duration .570/.570lift 251/251@.050
105/99. Operating range of 3000-7000 rpm.
 
Run away from the overdrive. The gear spread SUCKS fo racing, or enjoyment.

And on an early a keep the tire in between a 26"-28".

As described, it'll look cool, sound cool, but won't work well.
 
Nothing wrong with hopping up a 318. Kinda cool actually. What kind of 1/4 mile times are you expecting? A 318/390 or a 360/408 stroker can get you into the 10's pretty easy. Just sayin'
 
Nothing wrong with hopping up a 318. Kinda cool actually. What kind of 1/4 mile times are you expecting? A 318/390 or a 360/408 stroker can get you into the 10's pretty easy. Just sayin'

I have couple 360s but they are external balance which would mean me flywheel clutch bellhousing zbar clutch fork and my custom headers would then need redone as they tuck tight to the floor and bellhousing. So to go to the larger bellhousing for the external balanced flywheel for a 360 would be rather costly and lot more work. I'd be better off with a stroker cost wise. I dont see 18 ci less than a 340 and a bore .06 smaller than a 360 not capable of making power with head cam and compression. Plus I got this 318 machined block and 360 heads and all machined and ready for couple hundred bucks. I want to see what it will do as everyone building 318s is always a budget deal or a daily driver and most all are auto trans.

Eventually my 72 360 block will make its way in but not for awhile
 
Run away from the overdrive. The gear spread SUCKS fo racing, or enjoyment.

And on an early a keep the tire in between a 26"-28".

As described, it'll look cool, sound cool, but won't work well.

Overdrive is down the road but will receive passion performance gear kit that evens up the spread and strengthens up the trans. Not too expensive of a kit

I will never run a smaller than 28" on a early A they look frumpy and it's not for me. My wheel wheels are getting stretched or radiused for a 30".
 
Yes Sir, pulled it out of a 84 Ram 318 truck. Was gonna buy motor and trans for $200. Guy messaged me couple days before I went to pull em and said he would like to keep the motor but if I came out and helped could have the OD 4speed and all associated parts for free. Hell if a deal.

you do know that an a833 out of a D series truck is a long tailed transmission. The long tail a833 can be installed into an A body but it is not a bolt in, like an A or F body short tailed a833 would be. At the big block dart site there’s a template for an extension that gets the shifter pad in the correct location.
 
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