What engine for my dart?

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swinger74

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Hello, i've been on here for a while but never really posted. Anyway now that tax season is almost over. (15 days) I'm going to start building up my 74 swinger that has been in storage for the last six years. Currently the dart has no engine or transmission. I am trying to figure out what to build and drop in the dart. I would like to run mid 13's high 12's in the quarter, but taking a corner is more important that going in a straight line. The other area i want to be mindful is mileage, i realize that performance and mileage usually dont go hand in hand but i dont want to shell out the money for a nice engine and have it just sit there.

What i currently have

bare 400 block "230 casting"
Forged 440 crank
80's 360 needing a complete overhaul
833 four speed

I dont have to necessarily use these parts but thats what i have. Any opinions?

Thanks
Ryan
 
if taking a corner is more important...use the 360......
 
Build or buy a 340, they are nasty (just my 24 year humble opinion) I just built my first one (all ways been big block) nothing stock but the block, and it is a ripper......:burnout:
 
The 360 would be easier to install. I like the 400. With some aluminum heads and intake won't weight much more than a small block. Exhaust is a bit of a pain and you need special parts to install the big block.
 
There is no diff between a 340 an 360 motor mounts. The 273 and 318 mounts are different, but you can still space 'em...if you don't have the factory ones. Droppin in a small block is still a SB. A 360 may have a bit more grunt at the bottom, but a 340 will rev faster and higher...Never did like the 400 (unless you change the heads,cam, ect) Sounds like you built a Stroker..Heck Yeah!!!!!
 
360 or 340,both will get you there easily.Pop for aluminum heads,knock 40 to 50 lbs. off the front.
 
How much work does the 400 need VS the 360? I would go with what ever one needs the least amount of work to install. But thats just me.
 
If it was me I'd put a cummins diesel in. A buddy did one in a 70s power wagon it flys & 24mpg. If my SWINGER wasn't a factory 340 I would of went this route.
 
Given all your criteria, I'd start with a small block. In this day and age, a 360 (probably magnum) makes the most sense. I'll let others lay out what you need to do to get into the 12s.
 
I guess according to some on this forum (not me) you should scrap the bb and put in a turboed Mitsubishi 4 banger.......otherwise you might be considered (closed minded) if it were me and I had it to do all over again I would sell the parts you have and do the 5.7/6.1 hemi. jmo
 
What did the car have originally? Add a rear end swap to your budget. Was it originally a 4 speed car? How big is your money pile?

You can run low 13's or high 12's just fine with a moderate 360. And it fits the cheapest and easiest.

If it were me I would do something like KB 107 pistons, EQ heads, performer RPM intake, XE274 cam, 750 carb of choice, headers and bolt it in. Should get you where you want with the right gears.

Then again, you have most of the parts to build a 451. But unless you plan aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and housing, it will be heavier than the 360. And then you spend more for headers, transmission cases, etc...
 
wow thanks for all the replies, didnt think i would get that much. Well a litle history on the swinger. I Bought it when i was 14 had the 225 slant 6 with a 904. fixed it up and drove it for a couple years, oil pump finally went out on the 6. Droped in a mild 318 drove it to college. Then my sophmore year i was rear ended by a guy who had an insurance card but no insurance. Turned into a 9 month debacle with insurance.

By then my "restoration" started showing it flaws (and 14 year old funds) so i decided to park it and save up enough to "do it right" well six years later im starting on it.

I've actually thought about going the diesel route but the diesels weigh as much as two big blocks. Lately i have been thinking about the 2.4 route as well. The biggest fear i have is building a great engine and i cant even drive 100 miles before filling up. Especially since i dont plan on selling it.

On the parts list i should also add

4 speed pedals
Holley street dominator intake for the 400
 
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