Please don't kill me...

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MitchDart

1964 Dart 270 Owner
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
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Location
Bay Area
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.
 
Mostly it depends on your budget and how much of it you can do yourself.
What you need is a peppy little injected small block with an overdrive trans, but what you can do might be another story.
Guys here love to spend other people's money sometimes.

I have about 3k into a mild 350hp or so 5.9 Magnum small block and a 5 speed OD trans, but I was able to do all myself.
25mpg on 87 fuel and 2,000 RPM's at 85-90 on the freeway.

It won't save you from the Wife that wants 40mpg and no women looking at you and your car though. :D
 
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
A 3.5 L six might getcha 37 mpg and fit easier than an 8.
7 1/4 inch rear won't survive anything more than the original amount of power for long.
 
TrailBeast said:
It won't save you from the Wife that wants 40mpg and no women looking at you and your car though. :D
Click to expand...

see, this is what Ive learned. Do the math on how much that 40 mpg car is gonna cost you monthly, gas/insurance/car payments etc. Then figure how many gallons of gas you'd save over the old paid for dart. multiply the gallons by the cost gas right now, if that figure is lower than the cost of the new car, you're wasting money. if it's higher than the cost of the new car, then go for it. this is how i got my wife off the Prius idea when they were 60K 60K buys a lot of gas. heck, 20K buys a lot of gas.
 
Darthomas said:
A 3.5 L six might getcha 37 mpg and fit easier than an 8.
7 1/4 inch rear won't survive anything more than the original amount of power for long.
Click to expand...
i dont know about that. I had a v6 magnum for about 6 months, sold it, but it barely got 20 mpg..... my dad's r/t 5.7 magnum got 18.......
 
Maybe a 4.0 HO with automatic four speed. It would double your horsepower,maybe 20 to the gallon. Just a thought that popped into my head.
 
Good suggestions/options so far. One thought: If you decide to go the wrecking yard (mid-90s Dakota/Ram Magnum) route, keep in mind that many of them ended up there because the transmissions from that era were notorious for crapping out. Food for thought.
 
GTXperience said:
Good suggestions/options so far. One thought: If you decide to go the wrecking yard (mid-90s Dakota/Ram Magnum) route, keep in mind that many of them ended up there because the transmissions from that era were notorious for crapping out. Food for thought.
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hints why i said "wrecked" lol but if you were concerned about that, take the engine magnum engine out, then find you a 518 from a yard and put in. that's what my buddy did for his 77 ramcharger.
 
dukeboy_318 said:
hints why i said "wrecked" lol but if you were concerned about that, take the engine magnum engine out, then find you a 518 from a yard and put in. that's what my buddy did for his 77 ramcharger.
Click to expand...

Although one may be wrecked and in the yard for exterior/frame issues, if the transmission hasn't yet gone out, there's a good chance it would in the near future (of course depending on the mileage, maintenance, etc.). And yes, using a 518 would definitely be a much better option.
 
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.?

In traffic... are more gears (over drive) really going to help mpg in traffic enough to justify the cost?

I don't know much about turbos, but what about turbo-ing (new word?) the slant?
 
Ironically enough, I also have a daily driver '64 dart with a 170 slant. I feel your pain! Mine is currently waiting on a 360/4spd OD swap.
 
360 stroker with a 5sp/hydraulic clutch enough torque to turn 2.73 ratio rear with 15 inch tires !!
 
If you have the ability a turbo'd 2.4 (aka SRT-4) would give you good power and good mpg.
 
Sounds to me like a modern hemi swap would suit you well.

Or an LS..
 
I too drive cars that are 30 to 50 years old(and older)I've been down this road before.Even going with used(un-sure of) parts,you will be looking at $5000 to say the least to do a swap.It's all the little things that add up.And then will you have a fuel economy increase ? Multiply you current mileage times miles traveled per week times 52 weeks.Then add another 4-5 miles per gallon (after all the work is done)and see where you are at.If you are like the rest of us and can't help ourself to hear that new found power you foot will be on the floor more often then not....Now ,,The GEARHEAD in me says "I'D DO IT !!" If we were just into basic transportation none of us would be on this site...
 
One more thing,, Don't forget how much any new car depreciates after the first few years,,+ insurance + registration fees................... I love old cars !!
 
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.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks everyone for the variety of replies and so quickly. Great ideas, you've got me thinking...

Just to clarify a bit more, not looking for big power, or big mileage. But I want something that's a little more care free/ worry free, road trips, super short runs to the store, stop and start traffic, all that abuse we give to cars living in a city these days. And something that will carry this baby on to the future.
 
Darter6 said:
I too drive cars that are 30 to 50 years old(and older)I've been down this road before.Even going with used(un-sure of) parts,you will be looking at $5000 to say the least to do a swap.It's all the little things that add up.And then will you have a fuel economy increase ? Multiply you current mileage times miles traveled per week times 52 weeks.Then add another 4-5 miles per gallon (after all the work is done)and see where you are at.If you are like the rest of us and can't help ourself to hear that new found power you foot will be on the floor more often then not....Now ,,The GEARHEAD in me says "I'D DO IT !!" If we were just into basic transportation none of us would be on this site...
Click to expand...

Man... don't blow my cover story. Everyone who has mentioned the cost/benefit of new motor just for better mileage is totally right that it will not actually pay off. I know, I know... and my right foot has a will of it's own, and it will take advantage of every extra pony.

Really, I just want a newer/better/faster motor while having a cover story to tell people I did it for responsible reasons. But shhh... don't tell anyone you'll blow my cover.
 
A two barrel 383 might give you what you want. Also, a 360 crate motor might work out for you. I'm sure it would be fairly reliable.
 
Any engine, with a mild to moderate cam, wide LSA, smallish carb, and an overdrive tranny will suit the bill.
 
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