72 Swinger engine swap: power per dollar?

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BigBlockBanjo

BigBlockBanjo
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Hi all,
Its been a long time since I was here, finances have changed so its good to be back playing with cars again. I've read all over the internet, and engine swap opinions are all over the place. Its practically a dead horse, I know...but I have a situation and would love input from those who have done it before.
I have a 1967 New Yorker, untouched and in sweet shape. It has a 4-bbl 440 and a 727. I also have a 1972 Dart Swinger. Hot little slant six with a 904. I've recently put an 8 3/4 with 3.91/suregrip in, .920 bars and poly bushings up front. My buddy wants to buy the New Yorker for $1800...I want a bigger engine, to the tune of 450-500 hp. My buddy is an older guy with a lot of connections and says he can get me a big block and tranny. Or a small block/magnum engine. What do I do? Is it cheaper for me to keep the car and relatively -know- what I have? Or sell it and use the 1800 on a different powertrain? Or use/salvage the 318 poly I have? (Forged crank, '62 model so tranny are easy.) Goals are weekend driving/ cruise-in car. I would love to improve the suspension but I guess a BBC would negate that considerably? Opinions/thoughts are appreciated! Thanks.:prayer:
 
I would try to find if I were you a 87-91 360. Its a Roller LA block.
I have been lookin for one to no avail around me but maybe you will have better luck

Im currently throwin a 440 in a 74 Valiant 4 Door. Worst thing is the exhaust and mounts unless you use Schumacher conversion mounts.

The Schumacher mounts are nice and have them installed in my 74 Dart Swinger with a 360 with TTI Headers and they held up to it just fine and fit like a glove
 
I would go small block. It will be a more cost effective swap plenty capable of the 400+ HP you want
 
74DartSwinger360 said:
I would try to find if I were you a 87-91 360. Its a Roller LA block.
I have been lookin for one to no avail around me but maybe you will have better luck

Im currently throwin a 440 in a 74 Valiant 4 Door. Worst thing is the exhaust and mounts unless you use Schumacher conversion mounts.

The Schumacher mounts are nice and have them installed in my 74 Dart Swinger with a 360 with TTI Headers and they held up to it just fine and fit like a glove
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Hell want different heads though. While its nice to have the roller, these smog heads are next to worthless IMO. Spend the money and put rollers on a mid 70's or older engine
 
MoparDaddy said:
Hell want different heads though. While its nice to have the roller, these smog heads are next to worthless IMO. Spend the money and put rollers on a mid 70's or older engine
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I was under the impression older LA heads (My 2.02 Valve J heads) could be used on an LA Roller Block. Guess I need to do more homework then :eek:ops:
 
Wow..that was fast. Thanks ya'll...so small block/magnum engine is the vote so far. replace heads? That's no problem...I would probably spring for the Eddy RPM heads(or similar). But cost effective...finding a small block, freshen the long-block, and new heads. Vs clean up the 440 and seats/guides/seals? Then the tranny...still no slushbox. I'm figuring $3000 for the BB swap...(I do it all except major machine work). Why do I feel like the magnum swap will cost me more?? I'm listening, I just still have questions. Is a small block prefered -mainly- because its less labor intensive? As in, if your paying a shop it'll be waaay more...but in your own shop, not so much? My cooling system will have to be changed regardless. I have no problem pulling the column, as I am replacing the dash where someone literally hacked the dash for a CD player. I also already have a manual steering box....hmm.
 
BigBlockBanjo said:
Wow..that was fast. Thanks ya'll...so small block/magnum engine is the vote so far. replace heads? That's no problem...I would probably spring for the Eddy RPM heads(or similar). But cost effective...finding a small block, freshen the long-block, and new heads. Vs clean up the 440 and seats/guides/seals? Then the tranny...still no slushbox. I'm figuring $3000 for the BB swap...(I do it all except major machine work). Why do I feel like the magnum swap will cost me more?? I'm listening, I just still have questions. Is a small block prefered -mainly- because its less labor intensive? As in, if your paying a shop it'll be waaay more...but in your own shop, not so much? My cooling system will have to be changed regardless. I have no problem pulling the column, as I am replacing the dash where someone literally hacked the dash for a CD player. I also already have a manual steering box....hmm.
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Eddies are a good option. As for cost, you won't have to spring for k member or something else of the sorts (may not need to change k member at all) with small block, you can use most of everything suspension wise. Beefier suspension needed for bb. Just my .02 there are many others with much better info than that of my own.
 
MoparDaddy said:
They can. I just don't like the 87-91 heads
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Yea my J's are like 71 or 72s. So they will bolt right onto a 87-91 Roller Block with no probs and what I wanted to do cause I need another block anyway. So figured just get one that was built to have a roller valve train.
I just cant find any near me

Sorry for the thread jack BigBlockBanjo Just clearing up some stuff.

MoparDaddy said:
Eddies are a good option. As for cost, you won't have to spring for k member or something else of the sorts (may not need to change k member at all) with small block, you can use most of everything suspension wise. Beefier suspension needed for bb. Just my .02 there are many others with much better info than that of my own.
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Only major change to the suspension for a BB would be torsion bars (If you want to cause many just use the Slant 6 or Sb Torsion bars) and not much else. im not changing the suspension at all for my valiant but has bigger bars from factory since was SB A/C car.

Also Find a 73-76 Sb Spool mount k frame for it. The Spool mounts are much better than the 72 down biscuit mounts.73-76 Spool mount Sb K frames are different than Slant 6. So if you go this route then make sure you get the right one and if you want it to handle better even with a SB I would suggest changing to .99 or higher torsion bars since you would already have the whole suspension apart and have to remove the old ones to do so.
 
74DartSwinger360 said:
Yea my J's are like 71 or 72s. So they will bolt right onto a 87-91 Roller Block with no probs and what I wanted to do cause I need another block anyway. So figured just get one that was built to have a roller valve train.
I just cant find any near me

Sorry for the thread jack BigBlockBanjo Just clearing up some stuff.

Only major change to the suspension for a BB would be torsion bars (If you want to cause many just use the Slant 6 or Sb Torsion bars) and not much else. im not changing the suspension at all for my valiant but has bigger bars from factory since was SB A/C car.

Also Find a 73-76 Sb Spool mount k frame for it. The Spool mounts are much better than the 72 down biscuit mounts.73-76 Spool mount Sb K frames are different than Slant 6. So if you go this route then make sure you get the right one and if you want it to handle better even with a SB I would suggest changing to .99 or higher torsion bars since you would already have the whole suspension apart and have to remove the old ones to do so.
Click to expand...

I like my vehicles to handle as though they're on rails. So I would upgrade suspension.
 
me I like bb's I would buy The Schumacher mounts ,headers and freshin up the 440 it should have the forged crank and maybe 915's great for making great power!!! that's my 2 cents.
:burnout:
 
Thanks for all the replies...No worries on the thread "Jack", haha, its all learning in my mind. And about the Poly...I was meaning only the crank for an LA. The rest of that motor is hokey, that's why it never got finished. :wack: I've done a lot more reading and I think I'm going BB. Its never going to hndle like a new car...(I won't afford an Alterkation clip)a
So I can out run a lot of em...on the:glasses7: strip that is. Headers are my only toss up. Speaking of, I got a new Summit Racing catalog in today...BB A body headers for $159.97. Flowtech brand...ceramic coated for 309. Is this a missprint? I may have to try em if not...
 
BigBlockBanjo said:
Thanks for all the replies...No worries on the thread "Jack", haha, its all learning in my mind. And about the Poly...I was meaning only the crank for an LA. The rest of that motor is hokey, that's why it never got finished. :wack: I've done a lot more reading and I think I'm going BB. Its never going to hndle like a new car...(I won't afford an Alterkation clip)a
So I can out run a lot of em...on the:glasses7: strip that is. Headers are my only toss up. Speaking of, I got a new Summit Racing catalog in today...BB A body headers for $159.97. Flowtech brand...ceramic coated for 309. Is this a missprint? I may have to try em if not...
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Call them in the morn and find out.
 
Calling tomorrow about the headers...it may be a little while before I get that far, but when I do, and if those are application correct, I will report with pictures!
 
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