beefing up the stock 318 engine CHEAP mods

$400? If it were mine I would spend it like this:

Cheapo headers ($100), used eddie performer intake ($50-$75), used Viscous fan ($50), a rebuild kit for that carb you have ($20?) Lighter springs for your distributor ($20?) and some decent gears. Buy really good header gaskets or double them up because those cheapo headers will probably leak. This is exactly what I did with the old stock 318 in my Duster. My gear choice was .410's. I have the car on stands now in the garage. It is getting a new 340 and 904 in it, but the melted rubber from the "stock" 318 is still splattered all over my quarter panels.:thumbrig:

You will think you have a different car.

If more was in the budget I would go a different way, but if I only had the $400 this is what I would do for simple cheap upgrades.

This should get you your "fix" for a year or so. In that year, I would try and pick up a used 360 (or 318 if you prefer) and built it a piece at a time with good parts. When the 318 is ready for a rebuild you can just swap in your new motor and your car is only down for a day.

You can even use all the parts you bought for the old motor on the new one. I would try to get a little better headers on the new engine though.