Please don't kill me...

MitchDart said
OK, here's my thought and apologies to purists:
Made my '64 Dart a daily driver with a rebuilt /6. It wasnt the original motor (numbers indicate '67 or later), but what was in it when I bought it. This particular car was rode hard and put away wet, used, abused, and generally mistreated. So I think my Karma is good for saving it and keeping it on the road. Everything under the hood is now new or rebuilt. Front discs, new interior, etc. outside looks like ****- but I live in Oakland, CA- its supposed to look bad.
But what I'd really like is a modern, fuel injected motor, more than 3 speed auto, more than 16 mpg, more than just barely 100 HP, and more than the 85 MPH top speed I get.
What motor/ trans combo could I put into it to improve daily 40 mile roundtrip commute (in traffic) mpg, modern reliability, hopefully better acceleration and speed, carefree 300 mile roadtrios, etc.?
I want to keep this car on the road everyday, but need modern reliability. Also, w/o that assurance the wife may make me give it up for a Toyota Camry or some such abomination- so please help me save my soul and keep this work of art rolling.

my suggestion.

assuming you have the mechanical aptitude, look up your local pull a part or pic a part, they have locations nationwide. Find you either a wrecked 2 wheel drive dakota or ram 1500, mid 90s with a 318/360 magnum and the auto trans. Get everything including the wiring harness, ecm and transmodule for the engine and transmission for under 500 bucks, drop it into your dart, get custom driveshaft made. Just make sure you check with the staff at the yard youre at, sometimes they will get you a battery and start and run the engines for you to make sure they're okay, if not, most of them come with a warranty good for a short time, like 60 days or so.

your other option is to find a 4 barrel intake for the slant (300+ bucks) and a fast efi kit (1000~) and then an OD 4 speed manual for the slant (200~).

Or if you have the budget, a 3rd gen Hemi with trans from a charger/300/magnum. but you're looking at 3 grand or more for that.

Dont forget, you'll want to upgrade to a better rear end as well.