Best Path to 450hp + 5sp For $15k?

Evoking said:

I have a 68 Charger that has a 360 and 727 now. I’d like to convert to a 5spd and about 450-500hp. Good Tremec kits are about $6k. That leaves Labor is about $2500 including chassis reinforcement.

That leaves approx $6.5k for engine.

Option 1 New 408 Stroker
408 Stroker from Blueprint complete engine $6600. 445hp/500 ft-lbs

Option 2 440 Stroker
440 from cmengines $5400. 400hp. Or theirs 500hp stroker Engine for $8k. I suppose 80hp for $1600 is worth it so perhaps the 500 stroker.

Option 3 Supercharge or Stroke
Supercharge my 360 - which would likely put me well over 500hp. But I doubt it can be done done for $6500 including any reqired mods to engine. Same goes for buying a stroker kit, machining my block and associated labor.

I am thinking option 2 is best - albeit options 1 and 2 might handle better with a small block.

What do you guys think? Oh, for what it’s worth I will also be doing AC at the same time.

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mikeyfrano said:

Why not try a Gear Vendor overdrive?

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Challenger340 said:

We've Machined/Built/and Dyno'd plenty of .030" over 360's, using ported factory 308 cast iron heads and a lowly XE274H CompCams Flat Tappet Hydraulic Cam in the 440-450HP range, so I see no reason why any other 360 built with today's plethora of available Aluminum Head offerings could not exceed 450hp, even closer to 500hp depending upon Camshaft/Piston selection.
I didn't see the gears/Tire combo you are planning other than a "5 speed", nonetheless here, it should be remembered that with a "360" the Camshafts required between 450-500hp will sacrifice some lower end characteristic in attaining the desired power higher up rpm-wise. Expect a 3,000-6,000 rpm band.

That said,
and Trq being KING on the street with the heavier B-Body, some investigation of a std 440 combo with their very forgiving flat Trq curves may be well worth some investigation ?

WHY the 5 spd ? Highway cruising O.D. ?

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Challenger340 said:

We've Machined/Built/and Dyno'd plenty of .030" over 360's, using ported factory 308 cast iron heads and a lowly XE274H CompCams Flat Tappet Hydraulic Cam in the 440-450HP range, so I see no reason why any other 360 built with today's plethora of available Aluminum Head offerings could not exceed 450hp, even closer to 500hp depending upon Camshaft/Piston selection.
I didn't see the gears/Tire combo you are planning other than a "5 speed", nonetheless here, it should be remembered that with a "360" the Camshafts required between 450-500hp will sacrifice some lower end characteristic in attaining the desired power higher up rpm-wise. Expect a 3,000-6,000 rpm band.

That said,
and Trq being KING on the street with the heavier B-Body, some investigation of a std 440 combo with their very forgiving flat Trq curves may be well worth some investigation ?

WHY the 5 spd ? Highway cruising O.D. ?

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Evoking said:

I was thinking a manual would be fun on the car. I have actually gone back and forth on this. If I stay automatic and add overdrive to 727 it will be easier to cruise with family. Plus not to mention saving $6k.

Part of me thinks a manual would be lots of fun another part thinks a BB doesn’t need a manual to be fun and I can leave the shifting to some other little sporty toy!

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