im looking for INPUT!!!!!!!!! thanks

[holychrysler]

So, I have a 1963 plymouth valiant 2 door post. All original 170 slant six 1 barrel brand new 2" single exhaust. 3 speed manual on the "tree". It runs and drives wonderful. BUT,,,,,,,,,I am REALLY wanting more power. And fuel economy would be nice. I was going to convert it to a two barrel carb followed by a turbo set up. And bucket seats and floor shift 3 speed overdrive. Now im thinking that I will put in a 5 speed overdrive that I have. This transmission has the shifter on the inside and comes out the top. Which would eliminate the offset floor hump, hurst compitition shifter that I dont have shifting rods for. And I would have to switch it over to hydraulic. Anyway, I want to put a V 8 In it. With all the things that need to be changed over for just a 273,318,360 I think I might as well put a big block in it. I have a V6 that is basically a 318 with 2 cylinders cut off, a good running 360, or a 383. These are motors I already own. I have the 3 speed in my car, two 3 speed overdrives, and the 5 speed overdrive that is coupled with the V 6. I have a stromberg 2 barrel in good working condition, a two barrel weber in good working condition, a holley 4 barrel in good working condition and an edelbrock 4 barrel in good working condition. I have bucket seats from an1971 road runner with seat belts from same vehicle. My original bench seat is broken on the drivers side. It has to be held up with a chunk of 2 by 4. They are high back buckets but in good shape. I would prefer low backs but I think these will be just fine. Anyway, now you know what I already own. Im trying to spend the least amount of money as possible. Oh, and by the way, my car has the stock 323 suregrip 7 1/4. And original springs. I have a ford 9" from a 66 mustang with 390 gears and posi. With all that said, now you know what I own. What are your thoughts and/ or suggestions? Thanks.

 

[pishta]

wow, lots of choices. Ive been just about everywhere you want to go short of a V6/5sp...BUT I think that might be the cats *** followed by a turbo on that v6. REasons: 360 is terrible on gas. I know they are great motors but they just are not efficient. With that light car, 360 or 383 will be overkill (believe me, I know) even with the 3.23 rear and especially with the 3.90 Ford (Which will almost bolt in, use it if needed) but for that 3.23 SG 7.25, I think the V6/5sp would be perfect. Is that out of a truck? I heard the LA based V6 had terrible balance issues and was used with an auto to dampen the odd firing order but that may have been fixed with a 120 crank. But a turbo on a smooth light V6 is hard to beat and youll have more room with a V6 for the turbo goodies and custom exhaust youll need for anything short of the /6 or 273/318. Second with be the 360/4sp (3 speed with overdrive) using stock stock 273 manifolds or $$$ headers. 383 I would save for your next >66 A body. Just too much work with minimal gains over a nice 360. mild Turbo 6 is not going to be any better than an N/A 360 unless you go crazy with boost. More of a "I did it" type of build..because I did them all in a 65 in order: 273-4, 318, 340,340,451,225, turbo 225, EFI turbo 225, 408 MPFI stroker on the stand. Have fun!

 

[vntned]

Sadly enough, I'm in a similar situation with my '64 Dart with a stock 170. I love slant sixes for their reliability and economy! I averaged 23+mpg with the three on the tree and 3.23 gears. I recently swapped in a A833 overdrive and an 8.25 with 3.55s. After getting it back on the road I realized a few things. The reliability is great, the economy is great, the acceleration is pathetic! The reason I left the lil slant in the car was so that I could justify driving it on a daily basis. And it does great at it, and I thoroughly enjoy driving it, but I wish it had more umph.

I don't have the wide array of engines you do, but I do have a warmed over 360 that would allow my Dart to run 13s or better in the 1/4 mile, but then I wouldn't be able to afford to drive it regularly due to the 11mpg thing! I often fantasize about a 3.8 Turbo out of a Buick Grand National, but that's more of a pipe dream with my budget. However, if you've already got a v6 and a 5spd, I'd drop that in, add a small turbo and have your cake and eat it too!

 

[vntned]

Oh, and Pishta, which of your combos do you think had the best compromise between power and economy?

 

[pishta]

I never gauged them on fuel consumption because that was never an issue, but I do remember the 273 was butter smooth and wouldnt stop revving, the 318 had way more torque, the 340's would bark into 2nd with hardly any pedal and were very fast, yet streetable. 451 was just nuts, would get sideways in a turn without blinking, scary. slant ran like a sewing machine, added a turbo and the sewing machine sounded like it was on 220V instead of 110V. Fun but carb was impossible to tune right. EFI version is getting built now, and the 408 has a chip matched Edelbrock EFI system to its cam so its a turn key. I loved the 2nd 340 with a 284/484 MP cam and a Holley Strip Dominator with 3.91 gears. First .060 over 340 had a STR-12-4 intake on it and was soft off the line (dual 390's never worked and a backfire buckled the 2X4 top) but I paid $$ for it. Believe it or not, the 318-4 (Its just a "de-bored" 340) with Herbert Stage 2 cam and headers may have been the best power/economy package in that light chassis. I bet I get ~28 mpg/250 HP on my EFI /6 when Im done.

 

[gregsdart]

I would go with the 360, five speed OD trans, and the Fird 9 inch rear. The trick is to put the right cam in the 360 , something very close to stock, if not the stock cam, but advanced. Find a Thermoquad carb and intake, and learn to tune it. Very small primaries, will work well for what you want to do. You should be able to pull down mid 20s for mileage. The 60 mph rpm will be 2,065 rpm with a 26 inch tall tire and a .68 OD ratio, using the 3.90 gears. I think it will be a killer combo, with everything you want and more. Put a small turbo on it,and it will be an animal!

 

[Charrlie_S]

That 5 sp trans for the V-6 is a "truck" trans. The gear ratios are not real good for a car. It will work but not the best choice.

 

[holychrysler]

Hm. Well, I like the feedback. I think the v6 and 5 speed overdrive with 7 1/4 323 suregrip sounds great. And when im ready for it, turbo and ford 9" with 390 gears will be awesome. Food for thought. Thanks guys