First of all, this forum is great!!! So much information to digest and to look at and to think about. Sometimes I get lost in thread after thread after thread.
So purpose of this thread is to lay out my requirements for my build and see what suggestions you all come up with. I am prepared for many. I will try to give as much information as I can for my requirements (which are not many). Feel free to ask questions.
I will say that this years project is disc brakes up front and some front end suspension mods. I plan to do the engine, transmission, and rear end in the next year or two. So I do have some time to do research, and make up my mind. However I would like to have my mind made up sooner so I can start to look for parts and really fine tune my plan.
I have a 1972 Scamp 318 with a 904 and the stock 7.25 rear end. All original.
within the next year or two I want to completely go through the drivetrain.
I am not going to swap to a modern Hemi. If I wanted something newer I can afford to buy a new challenger or charger so I am not really looking to do that.
With that being said I am looking to keep the car a small block. I thought numbers matching would be cool but I am not sold on that yet. So that narrows it down to 318 or 360. Not really interested in the 340's at this time.
What I am looking for is a nice driver with a little extra horses to boot. I would like to have some fun when I am on the street in town and still be able to take the car at 65mph with out having screaming RPMs. Most of my driving will be 0-65 maybe a few trips on the highway but not many. The car needs to run on pump gas, (does not need to be E85) and needs to be able to let the tires loose a little bit when I would like. Also the car needs to be reliable. The plan right now to do this rebuild once, and drive it for a decent many a years to follow. I do not put many miles on the Scamp per year. A few shows, a lot of ice cream runs, and a few trips to town. Thinking 300ish HP (maybe a tad more) to the wheel. The more the better but for my application I really do not see needing 400HP out of my car. I know there are a ton of articles how to get 400HP out of the 318 and I dont think at this time I am looking to do that.
I dont feel that my requirements are too steep. I am planning to pull my current motor but thats where I am torn. Do I rebuild the current 318 with added parts since I already have it? Do I acquire a 360 which may easily make what I want in a more complete package?
Right now plan is to leave the 904 in the car as well. Pull it, get it rebuild with some new and stronger innards but use it. Currently I do not want to cut the floor up for OD trans. The interior of my car is MINT and I really dont want to take it out. Also I dont do much driving long distance over 60MPH. I am not opposed to a 727 by any means I just thought since my HP will not be anything massive I should be able to run a 904 which from what I have read will actually deliver more power to the wheels anyway. Depending on rebuild cost I may purchase a new TCI 904 or 727 if that is a good way to go as well. I already know I plan to upgrade to the 8 3/4 rear. Thinking 3.23 gears but have a lot to learn in that department as well, so the gearing is up in the air.
Personally I think can get what I need out of the 318 I have. Get it rebuilt with a few goodies.
However reading about the 1972 and older blocks not being as good as the newer ones or the magnum motors it makes me wonder if I should think a different route. If I dont use this numbers matching 318 I dont think I would get a newer 318, I think I would jump right to the 360.
Fun, reliable, durable.
So what is everyones thoughts????
I am in Michigan so any good shops that folks recommend for engine and transmission work I am open to suggestions as well. Have some in mind but always open for suggestions and resources.
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