Usable power for the street?
- Thread starter ValleyRat
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To me, that's the most fun!
Build for mileage. You'll get to drive it more than the rest of us.
I think I'd be looking at a 5.2, probably stock.
I think I'd be looking at a 5.2, probably stock.
Use the parts you have, build accordingly.
Any small block will work, just keep the compression up, and the cam on the small side, it will work.
When picking a cam, find the perfect cam, then order the next size smaller. You will be way happier with torque, than top end horsepower.
Any small block will work, just keep the compression up, and the cam on the small side, it will work.
When picking a cam, find the perfect cam, then order the next size smaller. You will be way happier with torque, than top end horsepower.
OldmanRick
Well-Known Member
Clarification please. You have a 273 & 4spd for your cuda. The car was a /6 originally. Is there any engine in it now?
Mild this, mild that...with headers and a good flowing intake a mild build is a tire melter right off idle. FUN.
Oldiron440
Well-Known Member
I'll take all the power I can and use it according. Just because you have 5 or 600 hp doesn't mean you need to drive like an idiot, I've seen plenty of low hp cars do that and get themselves into trouble. As far as fuel mileage goes if I'm in my big block car I don't worry about it other than I don't want to run out. My Plymouth gets about 3mpg on e85. and my sbf does 15 on the highway and can run mid 11s. Before I retired I would drive both cars to work, 25 to 40 miles total. You just need to decide what you want from your car and build it, for me the drive is more important than the cost of it.
AJ/FormS
68 Formua-S fastback clone 367/A833/GVod/3.55s
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Did any of you bullys read the words in italics. Do you even know what italics are used for.
My thoughts and my opinions are as valid as anyone's.
I don't come on here and attempt to make you feel small.
I don't come on here and join a gang of hammers.
If I disagree with you, I tell you why, and/or ask for clarification.
I answered the questions and provided enough backstory that OP can make an informed decision on his own, and not have to sift thru post after post after post, of off-topic comments.
You guys wanna bully me, that's fine, take it to the N&P
Oldiron440
Well-Known Member
AJ do you need a tissue?
This kinda goes hand in hand with what I've said a lot. When you see someone saying something like "I want a 600HP engine", a lot of those guys wouldn't know an honest 350HP if it slapped them in the face.
thesiren74
Well-Known Member
273 unknown cam,600 holley 4 barrel , headers and 4.30 gears awesome little engine and great on fuel.
thesiren74
Well-Known Member
It blows my mind when people want 600hp for the street! I can see for taking it to the track but for shows and occasional burnouts 350hp will do that.
I remember seein that one before. That's a bad soundin little beeotch. Gittin with it too.
thesiren74
Well-Known Member
It was in my dad's 64 valiant and all we did is replace the timing chain and I tuned it for him after dropping it in,hasn't touched it in 2 yrs he loves it after blowing up the expensive 410 stroker lol
That's funny. It sounds really good.
Oldiron440
Well-Known Member
I only used 600 as an example, I've got more.... and I don't get a thrill from burnouts, just look'n and book'n...
justinp61
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^^^^^ This ^^^^^
I've had my street/strip Dart for almost 17 years, three engines over that time. with the 340 it ran 7.24 (1/8), the 408 ran 6.57 and the 434 has ran 6.25, all three ran on pump 93. The current 434 made 543hp at the wheels, yes, if you get stupid it will too.
To the OP, build as much power as you want and how you want to build it, regardless of what I or anyone else on the internet says.
Cannot tell from the post if the 273 you have is currently installed in the car or no. Did state it was originally a /6 car so will go on premise the 273 is not in the car. If the conversion to the Magnum 360 and all it entails does not bother you, I'd go with that. As noted above, just bolting on a few power adders to a bone stock 360 can get you to 350ish HP and near 400ish TQ pretty darn easily. And you do not need to do it all at once. That's nuff to put a hurt on a set of radials whenever the need arises & is also quite street-able.
I've always taken the Burger King approach to my classic cars... have it your way. Tech advise and dipping into the knowledge base of those who have been there and done that is always good. At the end of the day build what makes you happy & ignore the noise.
My2c & GL!
I've always taken the Burger King approach to my classic cars... have it your way. Tech advise and dipping into the knowledge base of those who have been there and done that is always good. At the end of the day build what makes you happy & ignore the noise.
My2c & GL!
A lot of especially younger guys have never had the real life experience of certain engine hp, rear end gears, etc. Like someone said earlier, IF you can find someone with a specific combo in their old Mopar and give you a ride, you then have an idea of what you need or want.
Like many have mentioned, think about what you want or need for power. If you just like to cruise and drive out of town to car shows and the like, you may not want a real hot powerplant. Too much and you won't be able to get it to hook on the street and if you get after it often, the *** end will try to catch up with the front. If block long burn outs aren't your bag, a stock or slightly warmed engine will be a lot of fun. My 273-4 speed makes me smile every time I take it out. My 318 in my Swinger is a nice running car, get's a lot of looks and good highway mileage but doesn't do those block long burn outs. It's not necessary for me.
I reckon my whole point is, build as much power as you want....but don't look down on another guy because he has less or can't afford what you have. I see that a lot around here.
Dad once mentioned, when I have to buy all the tires, I will be slow to want to burn the Hell out of them!!
He said you can have too much power or too little brains???
He said you can have too much power or too little brains???
DionR
Well-Known Member
I disagree only based on the dyno test's I've seen where a stock 5.9 with the beer barrel intake vs. one with the dual plane MP intake made the same power. And both had headers on the dyno. I think the stock cam is in the lift and duration range of a broomstick, and anything added to the motor will have a marginal impact on power.
Might make 310 or 320 with your suggestion, the RPM intake is better than the MP, but without a cam upgrade I think you are hovering around 300 hp and getting little return on the parts.
Now, swap a mild cam into it, even something as small as a [email protected] cam, and it makes a big difference. The one test I saw lost nothing down low and picked up 500 rpm and over 50 hp. Now you are making over 350 without breathing hard.
Lot's of potential, but much beyond the stock components and the cam throttles it.
DionR
Well-Known Member
I should add that I agree a stock 5.9 with an intake and headers is a great option. Not knocking it. My build isn't far off that and was fun enough for awhile.
Bang for the buck, a cam in the 5.9 with the intake and exhaust is a darn good combo.
Bang for the buck, a cam in the 5.9 with the intake and exhaust is a darn good combo.
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