Funny Question i must be the 1st person on earth to downsize in hp ?

[ValerianMagnum]

Since i wont be able ( or dont even want to try ) to sell my 76 400hp duster for the price i want even if theres shitty cars for sale at 40-45k grand out there all the time , i was thinking about removing my 400+hp 360 crate / 2800 stall 727 tf2 kit / abodie 8 3/4 : 3.91 sg 489 case , and sell them since i had a good offer for all this combo , i have 2x 360 magnums , 5x 318s and 1x 5.2 magnum , and 904s + 2.76 3rd members...i was thinking about putting it back as a Real driving machine and not a light 2900 pounds 11 sec street machine , i think that a simple healthy 318 with a 4bbl -904 could do the job , or even a stock 360 too, since i want to be close to an original e58 duster package ( the way this rare car , came from the factory ) . BIG question is..i am the only one who ever did that? Ahahah. Let me hear your stories and opinions ! Nope im not rich , not at all bit i wont give my car away either, rather have a puny 318 in it then to sell it and regret it after.

 

[NCmtnDWELLER]

Do what makes you happy !

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Like the car with the body color scoop . I am trying to do the same thing. I am getting old and just want to enjoy driving the car to cruise nights. I left the build to my son we'll see what he comes up with. Iron X heads and 68 4 speed cam . Most important would have to be a Pump gas engine.,

Dart had a burned hood so I covered the warp with painted twin scoops . Your car reminded me of this Dart

 

[mopar head]

I`d be willing to trade even for a reduction in cubic inches.
My 440 for a 426 HEMI!!

 

[ValerianMagnum]

I`d be willing to trade even for a reduction in cubic inches.
My 440 for a 426 HEMI!!

Had one....528 hemi , didnt want to put gas in there or change for $$$$ parts

 

[NC Engine Builder]

Since i wont be able ( or dont even want to try ) to sell my 76 400hp duster for the price i want even if theres shitty cars for sale at 40-45k grand out there all the time , i was thinking about removing my 400+hp 360 crate / 2800 stall 727 tf2 kit / abodie 8 3/4 : 3.91 sg 489 case , and sell them since i had a good offer for all this combo , i have 2x 360 magnums , 5x 318s and 1x 5.2 magnum , and 904s + 2.76 3rd members...i was thinking about putting it back as a Real driving machine and not a light 2900 pounds 11 sec street machine , i think that a simple healthy 318 with a 4bbl -904 could do the job , or even a stock 360 too, since i want to be close to an original e58 duster package ( the way this rare car , came from the factory ) . BIG question is..i am the only one who ever did that? Ahahah. Let me hear your stories and opinions ! Nope im not rich , not at all bit i wont give my car away either, rather have a puny 318 in it then to sell it and regret it after.

View attachment 1716412046

You might find you get MORE intrest with a more cruiser type drivetrain.

 

[Demonx2]

Since i wont be able ( or dont even want to try ) to sell my 76 400hp duster for the price i want even if theres shitty cars for sale at 40-45k grand out there all the time , i was thinking about removing my 400+hp 360 crate / 2800 stall 727 tf2 kit / abodie 8 3/4 : 3.91 sg 489 case , and sell them since i had a good offer for all this combo , i have 2x 360 magnums , 5x 318s and 1x 5.2 magnum , and 904s + 2.76 3rd members...i was thinking about putting it back as a Real driving machine and not a light 2900 pounds 11 sec street machine , i think that a simple healthy 318 with a 4bbl -904 could do the job , or even a stock 360 too, since i want to be close to an original e58 duster package ( the way this rare car , came from the factory ) . BIG question is..i am the only one who ever did that? Ahahah. Let me hear your stories and opinions ! Nope im not rich , not at all bit i wont give my car away either, rather have a puny 318 in it then to sell it and regret it after.

View attachment 1716412046

Obviously to each his own. Just make sure after driving such a car as it is now you would be happy with any "lesser" future combination.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That'd be a good car to build a mild low deck big block to go in. It'd fit right in it. No more reaching for the distributor.

 

[TT5.9mag]

I built a 56 nomad for an older couple. The guy wanted a twin turbo big block and a 6 speed. She wanted two tone paint and whitewalls. That’s what they got. Engine made just shy of 1100 hp and trying to drive it on a 5 inch wide tire was stupid. They hated the car. Payed me again to yank the big block and 6 speed sell it, and install a 5.3 on Holley terminator and a 4l60. Car gets 19 mpg at 80mph and they’ve put 75,000 miles on it. Sometimes it takes having what you don’t want to know what you actually want. I say do whatever you are going to do to make the cars usable for YOU.

 

[ValerianMagnum]

I built a 56 nomad for an older couple. The guy wanted a twin turbo big block and a 6 speed. She wanted two tone paint and whitewalls. That’s what they got. Engine made just shy of 1100 hp and trying to drive it on a 5 inch wide tire was stupid. They hated the car. Payed me again to yank the big block and 6 speed sell it, and install a 5.3 on Holley terminator and a 4l60. Car gets 19 mpg at 80mph and they’ve put 75,000 miles on it. Sometimes it takes having what you don’t want to know what you actually want. I say do whatever you are going to do to make the cars usable for YOU.

Exactly ! Well said

 

[ValerianMagnum]

That'd be a good car to build a mild low deck big block to go in. It'd fit right in it. No more reaching for the distributor.

Love you bud , but big block in a A-bodie is no no for me , od rather play with a distributor than installing a super wide 440 in that engine bay , id rather a hot small block than a big block...into a duster , my fury is another story , you have room !!

 

[OneOfMany]

If you just want to enjoy driving it, and accept the fact that you will endure coming out on the short end at stoplight encounters, but still have a smile on your face - do it.

Summers are short here in Canada, enjoy them.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Love you bud , but big block in a A-bodie is no no for me , od rather play with a distributor than installing a super wide 440 in that engine bay , id rather a hot small block than a big block...into a duster , my fury is another story , you have room !!

That's why I said low deck. 383 or 400 based engine. But have at it.

 

[273]

Since i wont be able ( or dont even want to try ) to sell my 76 400hp duster for the price i want even if theres shitty cars for sale at 40-45k grand out there all the time , i was thinking about removing my 400+hp 360 crate / 2800 stall 727 tf2 kit / abodie 8 3/4 : 3.91 sg 489 case , and sell them since i had a good offer for all this combo , i have 2x 360 magnums , 5x 318s and 1x 5.2 magnum , and 904s + 2.76 3rd members...i was thinking about putting it back as a Real driving machine and not a light 2900 pounds 11 sec street machine , i think that a simple healthy 318 with a 4bbl -904 could do the job , or even a stock 360 too, since i want to be close to an original e58 duster package ( the way this rare car , came from the factory ) . BIG question is..i am the only one who ever did that? Ahahah. Let me hear your stories and opinions ! Nope im not rich , not at all bit i wont give my car away either, rather have a puny 318 in it then to sell it and regret it after.

View attachment 1716412046

I'd bought a comp 265 roller a china air gap and a holley sniper for my 380hp crate because I don't race and figured 350-360 hp would be more than enough but never installed any of it yet

 

[273]

I'm surprised more people don't do a mild (0.9-1:1 hp:cid) 408, 370-410 hp would be a real mild engine with plenty of grunt.

 

[BSB67]

De-tune the 360 that’s in it, change the gear if you like.

Sell other stuff to finance the de-tuning

 

[RustyRatRod]

And to answer your question. No, you're not the first by a long shot. Before I got hooked on slant sixes, most all I had were hot V8s.

 

[318willrun]

I keep it simple. I can't downsize in hp or they wouldn't run.....

 

[273]

De-tune the 360 that’s in it, change the gear if you like.

Sell other stuff to finance the de-tuning

100%, engine just needs a smaller cam and possibly a dual plane intake.

 

[MopaR&D]

I know I enjoyed driving my '70 Duster more often and on longer trips when it had a mild 360 and stock converter, the lumpy idle and loose converter it has now get on my nerves after a while. So no, you're not crazy.

 

[Deltatech]

I'd pull it and go with the a stock 360, If selling, I think it will bring more interest and a little higher price than a 318 car.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

There is nothing worse than a car you can't drive or find proper octane fuel for when out and about.

I like a fair amount of power so I always use a mild big block that I can burn pump gas in, and still drive it down the interstate at speed.

Your ultimate engine choice will be up to you, but since you have a good selection to choose from I would use the one that's in the best condition and go for it.

Tom

 

[tom999w]

I'm putting the correct slant 6 back into my Demon. I'm 55 years old and could give two craps about impressing other people.

 

[middleagecrisis]

Just something to consider: I'd make sure you have real buyers with a deposit on the parts before pulling the drivetrain out. You'll find interest in your parts on this forum, because that's what we like. When it comes down to it, people don't want to pay shipping costs and the local markets just don't have that much interest. I've set on parts I was selling locally (Texas) for months at giveaway prices, because the general public just isn't in to hotrods like years ago. I'd hate to see your pull everything out, spend money putting another drivetrain in and then not get near what you were expecting. Your time to do all this is worth something as well, at least mine is.