273 to 383 Formula S Barracuda

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KCKyle79

KCKyle79

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Panhandle Florida
Hello everyone,

I was gifted from my Father-in-law a wrecked 67 273 formula S 4 speed Barracuda plus parts from his totaled 67 383 formula S 4 speed. I had the 383 engine rebuilt and one of the 4 speed transmissions is at Brewers for a rebuild too. The car is at a classic specialist in my area (Florida panhandle) for restoration. I am curious if my quick decision to use the 383 over the 273 was the right decision? It is a power brake/ power steering car and I want to do the same with the 383 but I am learning that this is a tall task in an A body. I also plan on adding A/C because Florida. Maybe Classic Air or something else. I read in 67 the BB cars were not offered in power steering and A/C. is this still an impossibility? This is the begining of a long and expensive journey.
 
It's always your choice, but you see very few 273 cars, seems the 383 cars are fairly common.
I am biased, I would build the 273.
Then AC and PS are a breeze!
 
I would lean toward the originality of the 273, especially if it is the original engine.
 
the original 273 S car with a correct 273 is going to be valued higher than a motor swapped car. if that's your end goal, that is.

but if you're building it just for you? damn the torpedoes, then.

i'd say the easiest way to do a 383 with power steering would be an aftermarket front suspension (HDK, AlterK, QA1) with a rack & pinion.
 
Do you have the 383 k-frame that you will use in place of the 273 k-frame? The 67 383 k-frame is not compatible with power steering...
 
Would the Borgeson box work with the 67 big block K? Does the formula S package make the 273 an HP?
I like the 383 idea but understand the dilemma.
If it was a 2 barrel 273 I would go 360 or 383 for sure.
 
DC Dart said:
Would the Borgeson box work with the 67 big block K? Does the formula S package make the 273 an HP?
I like the 383 idea but understand the dilemma.
If it was a 2 barrel 273 I would go 360 or 383 for sure.
Click to expand...
The Formula S 4 speed would have a Commando 273. Very cool cars and your headaches will melt away. Any 273 runs well, just like any SBM, just add a cam and valve springs.
 
66fs said:
just add a cam and valve springs.
Click to expand...
Just don't get carried away. I had a 67 Dart GT with the HP 273 and a prior owner had installed a 509 cam large tube headers and a double pumper. When I could get it to idle it sounded like a pro-stocker. It was the "getting it to idle" part that was the trick.

That one had been passed around some - the fellow I sold it to restored it and put it all back stock.
 
HemiSSDart said:
Do you have the 383 k-frame that you will use in place of the 273 k-frame? The 67 383 k-frame is not compatible with power steering...
Click to expand...
thank you for that tid-bit of information. i knew the BB K was different but i did not know that it wasn't set up for PS

TIL
 
Uncle Bob said:
Just don't get carried away. I had a 67 Dart GT with the HP 273 and a prior owner had installed a 509 cam large tube headers and a double pumper. When I could get it to idle it sounded like a pro-stocker. It was the "getting it to idle" part that was the trick.

That one had been passed around some - the fellow I sold it to restored it and put it all back stock.
Click to expand...
i concur doctor.

the 273 commando as it sits is a perfectly cromulent hot little street motor. maybe massage the heads a little, maybe an intake-- something like a performer or small runner weiand, bump the cam a little but leave it solid lifter. you know, just the basic kinds of hop up stuff.

it won't be a world beater, but it'll sure surprise the hell out of bunch of people and it'll be a blast to drive.
 
Uncle Bob said:
Just don't get carried away. I had a 67 Dart GT with the HP 273 and a prior owner had installed a 509 cam large tube headers and a double pumper. When I could get it to idle it sounded like a pro-stocker. It was the "getting it to idle" part that was the trick.

That one had been passed around some - the fellow I sold it to restored it and put it all back stock.
Click to expand...

Yes, they don't need much cam.
 
DC Dart said:
Would the Borgeson box work with the 67 big block K? Does the formula S package make the 273 an HP?
I like the 383 idea but understand the dilemma.
If it was a 2 barrel 273 I would go 360 or 383 for sure.
Click to expand...
I see aftermarket power steering packages that say they work with 67 BB A body's but I am consulting this group for some insight. Yes the 273 is a HP 4 barrel.
 
HemiSSDart said:
Do you have the 383 k-frame that you will use in place of the 273 k-frame? The 67 383 k-frame is not compatible with power steering...
Click to expand...
Yes I do have both K frames. I seen aftermarket packages that claim they work with the BB 67 A body's and that's what I am trying to confirm if anyone in here has done it succesfully.
 
junkyardhero said:
i concur doctor.

the 273 commando as it sits is a perfectly cromulent hot little street motor. maybe massage the heads a little, maybe an intake-- something like a performer or small runner weiand, bump the cam a little but leave it solid lifter. you know, just the basic kinds of hop up stuff.

it won't be a world beater, but it'll sure surprise the hell out of bunch of people and it'll be a blast to drive.
Click to expand...
I wish I would have taken the time to ask these questions before I pulled the trigger on the 383 rebuild. I had seen how difficult it is to get parts for the 273's and that nudged me to the 383. I'm not looking for a race car, just a good street cruiser.
 
66fs said:
The Formula S 4 speed would have a Commando 273. Very cool cars and your headaches will melt away. Any 273 runs well, just like any SBM, just add a cam and valve springs.
Click to expand...
I am kind of regretting not taking the time to do the research before I rebuilt the 383. I still may try to get the 273 rebuilt but I have seen that rebuild kits are hard to get without having them custom built. I'm not looking for high Hp just a good cruiser that the wife and I can drive.
 
Uncle Bob said:
Just don't get carried away. I had a 67 Dart GT with the HP 273 and a prior owner had installed a 509 cam large tube headers and a double pumper. When I could get it to idle it sounded like a pro-stocker. It was the "getting it to idle" part that was the trick.

That one had been passed around some - the fellow I sold it to restored it and put it all back stock.
Click to expand...
Oh, I'm not trying to build a street monster. Just a good cruiser with plenty of passing power that the wife and I can drive and enjoy.
 
Well. Ya could do the the formula S 273 commando build. Then buy a slant six barracuda or A body to put your big block drive train in.
 
I like big block A-bodies, BUT I would never swap a 340 or 273 four barrel to big block.
 
KCKyle79 said:
I am kind of regretting not taking the time to do the research before I rebuilt the 383. I still may try to get the 273 rebuilt but I have seen that rebuild kits are hard to get without having them custom built. I'm not looking for high Hp just a good cruiser that the wife and I can drive.
Click to expand...
Not too hard, start a conversation the only difference is pistons and rings. Everything else is the same. Everything is probably all standard size. You already have all the really good stuff. Forged crank, floating rods, solid lifter valve train, 920 head castings. Do you have the Commando 273 with carb, intake, dist, valve covers, and air cleaner?
 
The 273 can be a very capable engine.

We all have the bigger is better sryndrone and the grass on other side of the fence is taller and greener!

Funny how back in SW Ga, 1966 the fastest car in the rural 1/4 mi drags in that whole area ( and part further out too) was a 289 4 speed '65 Mustang. And he had NO tach. He outran everything. $100 a go was big $.
 
I like original, However it is your car and do as you wish!

Enjoy and Mopar On!!!!
 
Back in thr 90s I had a 67 Cuda #s 383 4 speed car. I had a huge front sway bar. highway gear. I drove it from Ca. to Mo. and all around when I got back home. I would not have traded it for a 340 but thats just me.
 
If I remember correctly you could get power steering in a 69 Barracuda with a 383, so it is possible with factory parts. I have owned both a 273 power pack and a big block. I'll add a vote for the big block
 
as long as the body stays 'uncut' and the 273 parts are stored then i say go ahead with the 383 swap. it'll be a more laid back drive with unstressed power and torque (arguably the important bit) when you need it. go for it :thumbsup:
neil.
 
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