Now that everything is perfect, I want to screw it up.

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R3dplanet

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I don't know why I do these things to myself. I'm right at the end of my long term Barracuda project that I've been slaving and sacrificing for years to complete. My car is a '65 Barracuda that I've owned for ten years, slowing building and rebuilding what I thought at the time would be a great car. With the exception of the paint job and white-knuckle obvious lack of safety features, it's a fantastic car.

Here's what I've done to it:

* replaced the blown 273 with a 360, completely rebuilt with moderate power upgrades (hydraulic cam, lifters, 260/260 Comp cam, full head/valve re-work, etc.) It has less than 1,000 miles on it.
* J-heads, Edelbrock intake, Edelbrock 1406 carb
* rebuilt original radiator modified into a three-core for better cooling
* hydroboost brakes, along with front and rear disc conversion
* replaced column 3-speed with rebuilt A833OD floor shifter, rebuilt Hurst shifter
* 10.5" aluminum bell housing with Centerforce clutch
* custom driveline
* rebuilt and powder-coated 8 3/4" 3.23 rear end
* mounted and installed all sensors and parts for Megasquirt EFI, which is just about installed and ready to test
* new interior, seats, carpet
* new z-bar, linkage, clutch pedal assembly re-worked, re-bushed, powder coated
* Every part for the car that FirmFeel sells is in the car. New PS gear, new pump, control arms, poly bushings, sway bars, etc.
* MSD ignition (MSD 6AL box, MSD dizzy, coil)

Everything I pulled from the car was along the ideals of, well, "while I'm in there ...."
Every part pulled is powder coated, and re assembled with stainless or zinc coated fasteners.

So I'm nearly finished, minus the occasional choice differences that invariably present themselves over time. I started with a list of things I wanted to do and now I'm here.

My only regret was not re-using the 273, which is now rotting away on the engine stand in a forgotten corner of my garage, right next to my Corvair motor. When we went to rebuild the motor, 273 pistons were not available. They come and go over the years, depending on who's produced a batch. So my machinist said to take the easy route - 360 blocks are a dime a dozen and cheap to rebuild. So I could spend $1000 on the only set of 273 pistons we could get our hands on + $1750 to rebuild the motor with warm upgrades, or I could spend slightly less but have all the power and benefits of the 360. Bragging rights, something to present to old guys at taco stands with, easier parts availability. Since then, there are two outfits that make great pistons for the 273 for $600.

But with all of the conversion I had to do - bellhousing, driveline, clutch, z-bar, engine mounts, etc., I ended up spending far more money that I had expected. I had money at the time so I wasn't alarmed. It was a great learning process. But it wasn't as easy as just swapping one motor for another.

So yesterday my little brother shows up after not seeing him for a few years. Since I've seen him last he's reinvented himself as a machinist who specializes in motorcycles. But he's quite a Mopar guy also. His beautiful black Dodge work van has a tired 360 that we wants to replace. So he's eyeballing my 360 as we stand there next to my open engine bay as I'm complaining about getting 13mpg, and how 300hp is actually just ***** extension as a ridiculous amount of power for my application. It seemed like a great idea when I was thirty. Now I'm forty and things do not compute the same. Why the hell do I need so much power for a weekend toy designed to haul *** up and down the Columbia Gorge? I just want to drive the car on nice days while sipping a pina colada smoothie.

"Easy," he says. "I'll just rebuild your 273 with 302 heads, mild cam, and hydraulics. Think Commando but better. We'll put it back into your Barracuda, hook up the megasquirt and run on it the dyno for a couple of days. I'll just trade you straight across for your 360. Deal?"

Ugh. ACK. Dammit.

As I pound my forehead with my fists I wonder why he has to do this to me. Why does he have to throw these curveballs at me right when I'm full of uncertainty? Because he's my brother, obviously.

What would you do? Numbers matching hotter 273 with 20+ mpg? Or just leave it the hell alone?

-marcus
 
My 450HP 360 Magnum gets 18 on the freeway with a 3 speed, add a OD in it. :D
 
Tough one but if it were me I would leave the 360 with your car and run it!
 
I think I'd drive it as is. As a weekend cruiser is a couple of mpg really going to matter? It sounds like a real nice car and 300 hp isn't that over the top on the street.
 

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Probably true. MPG isn't really as important for a weekend cruiser. I'm more of an efficiency nut than a speed nut, so I'm fine with the 360 or anything else if I make it as efficient as it can be. But, you know, the more expensive fuel gets the better 25mpg sounds. Hence the Megasquirt EFI conversion. With all of the mods I've made so far, it isn't as though the car will one day be sold as original to a concourse stickler.

One would think that at this stage I could make adult decisions like, "Leave it the hell alone."
 
The cost of rebuilding the 273 vs the savings in gas in a car that probably don't see a lot of miles would take a long time to repay plus the 273 probably wouldn't get as hugh of an increase as you would think. Spend a little time in getting better mileage out of your 360.
 
I'd say, if your brother want to build an engine, let him build one for himself. If you want better MPG, change the carb to a spread bore - the primary side is alot smaller giving you air speed and the secondaries are larger to give you the CFM. I remember when I bought my old Valiant in the early 90's & it had a 350 Holley on the 318, it was slow and drank, change the maniflold to a Holley Street Dominator & bolted on a 650 Holley Spread Bore. Milage went to 27mpg & it ran 15.0 on the qtr - stock exhaust manifolds, stock cam, etc.

Trouble with going back to a 273 would be the lack of torque in comparison & you may be left very disappointed. The car may be worth more with matching numbers but if you go to sell the car, you can put the 273 with the sale package - bringing the price back to where it could be.
 
cuda20 said:
I think I'd drive it as is. As a weekend cruiser is a couple of mpg really going to matter? It sounds like a real nice car and 300 hp isn't that over the top on the street.
Click to expand...

Agree, 300 HP on the street is nothing. Just run the 360 and enjoy the torque it makes. Warning, don't ever get a ride in a 500 HP stroker. It will ruin your whole idea of what is enough power for a weekend toy.
 
I feel your pain. I am also afflicted with terminal inability to make decisions.

I'm a numbers matching guy myself, but I think a numbers matching engine in a car with fuel injection, an upgraded transmission/clutch and so many other upgrades defeats the purpose. Either go all original to appeal to the original crowd, or go with the 360 to appeal to the pro touring crowd. But don't go for the mushy middle.

Save the 273 block in case somebody wants to put it back original in future.

If you're looking for a rationalization, consider this: a 360 should have a much higher power to weight ratio than a 273. That should appeal to your love of efficiency.
 
Tell your brother to find his own 360 to rebuild. That horsepower comment is because he wants your engine. 300hp is not too much for the street, or that car. but it certainly makes it easier on him.
 
I vote to go ahead with your original plans and use the 360. I'm thinking once you get to driving and enjoying that little barracuda, you will re-gain some of that gearhead thing you had when you were thirty...LOL! Hell, I'm 52 and I still love goin fast......
 
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