66 charger 318 upgrade questions...

[liquidlabfx]

So as with any engine. There are good and bad when it comes to upgrades/mods.
I currently have the stock 318 but already has and eddy intake and 4 barrel. Now im NOT looking for balls out performance. Im asking what cam would work well to give me some thumpty thump. And gain some HP.
Also heads. Good lord so many options or opinions. Don't want to port these. But want to upgrade. Looked at many options. From crazy expensive. To remain bone stock. Looking for something in between. I plan on installing a set of headers and full exhaust. Im running a 3 on the tree. And pretty sure boring oem rear diff. Thanks again for any and all suggestions.

 

[R413]

If you want more power then rear end gear change is a great thing for a small engine.

What kind of driving do you do? Freeway trips? How far?

 

[j-c-c-62]

Start with a 360 makes the most sense, they are available, affordable, look almost the same, almost bolt in, save the original 318 stock for the next owner as otherwise it is worth little, and you can build/upgrade with all the goodies as you see fit the 360 and retain a running car while doing so, and install the headers when dropping in the new motor which is much better timing for the effort involved..
Or just hop up the 318.

Nice car BTW.

 

[liquidlabfx]

If you want more power than rear end gear change is a great thing for a small engine.

What kind of driving do you do? Freeway trips? How far?

Nope. Just around town. But im rural. So average speed limit is 55

 

[ckessel]

3 on the tree? Cool. As mentioned, latch onto a 360. There will be some minor items to contend with like your 318 is internally balanced and the 360 is external. Mount bracket difference on the lh? side. Easily dealt with.

 

[liquidlabfx]

3 on the tree? Cool. As mentioned, latch onto a 360. There will be some minor items to contend with like your 318 is internally balanced and the 360 is external. Mount bracket difference on the lh? side. Easily dealt with.

If im being honest. Im getting too damn old to be messing around with major swaps etc. Been there. Done that. Now if someone had a complete long block running and ready to go. Id pull the trigger. Yes I can buy a "new one" but again. Who can't? LOL. Im trying to keep coats down because I may want to swap to a 4 speed and that's already too much. Ugh.

 

[ckessel]

That sounds familiar. I recently scored a 75 440 for my wagon to replace the oil sucker/leaker thats in it now. Was hoping to just do a basic overhaul then a weekend swap when ready. Nope! Has to be bored. Going to take longer. In the meantime, I'll get my brake upgrades done when my lift is empty followed by suspension/steering upgrades when I've set aside enough scratch to get the rest of that stuff. Engine later.

 

[liquidlabfx]

Yah that's when the fun goes outta it for me. Cause yes I definitely want to do a front disc brake conversion. Guages need attention etc. So I thought. Maybe some EQ stage 2 heads. And a nice cam set. Exhaust. And run it for a bit. ?? Probably more than enough for me honestly.

 

[j-c-c-62]

If im being honest. Im getting too damn old to be messing around with major swaps etc. Been there. Done that. Now if someone had a complete long block running and ready to go. Id pull the trigger. Yes I can buy a "new one" but again. Who can't? LOL. Im trying to keep coats down because I may want to swap to a 4 speed and that's already too much. Ugh.

I hear you, but other than headers, a 360 vs a 318 stock swap nothing will get more bang for buck (torque needed for a full size car) than any upgrade option you have already mentioned, which are still worthy even with a 360. The internal/external balance issue is no big deal, requiring a weighted FW. The left side motor mount change is the only real mounting difference, and easy to find. Thats it. Except for now needing a sure grip rear?

 

[Don Frelier]

You almost certainly have a 2.94 rear gear.
A 3.55 would really help.

And no you're certainly not too old to do an engine swap.
Put me in the 5.9 magnum swap group.

We've got guys here much older that wouldn't hesitate to pull an engine. (myself included)

 

[Darter6]

So I did the Comp Cam 268 in my 318. Same as you 4 bbl 600 cfm, Headers automatic and 4.10 gears
Sounds great runs really well mostly because of the gear ratio.
Then I swapped in 2.76 and added A/C to make a cruiser instead of a street light bandit.
I'm happy with the results. I have always been a "Use what ya got" guy.

 

[WileE]

Since you've already got the intake and exhaust figured out, I'd recommend a good set of alum heads, perhaps the Eddy's, contact Hughes for a suitable cam, and 3.55's in back. 318's can be made to run quite well, done so many moons ago myself. That's a beautiful car you have.

 

[R413]

Because it is a manual trans it might have 3.23's from factory. But anyone could have changed it over 59 years of life.

People age differenty, if he says he's not changing the engine then he won't.

A 66 Charger is a heavy b-body car so performance will be a disadvantage with a small engine.

Trying to buy performance parts for a poly will cost lotsa money, lots more than a different engine. If you do swap you can sell your poly 4bbl intake for a good chunk of it .

He has a poly 318, there are no aluminum heads on planet earth.

You almost certainly have a 2.94 rear gear.
A 3.55 would really help.

 

[1KoolBee]

So being a ‘66, is motor original as in a 318 poly? If so, you’re pretty limited in aftermarket parts. You could get cam reground for better performance and maybe bowl port heads. Swapping in a good running 360 would be path of least resistance.

 

[j-c-c-62]

People age differently, if he says he's not changing the engine then he won't.

I agree, you can lead a horse to water proverb still applies.

But its our moral responsibility to be honest and thorough in our contributions here, and mine I still stand behind.

It's a lot more effort, cost, time and for hardly(?) more gain, to install headers, swap heads, drop in a new intake, do a cam swap then just swap out for a 360.

 

[R413]

Able to do an engine swap at a retirement age takes many things.
A place to do it
Equipment to do it
Helping hands to come over
Physical ability
Mental ability.

If a man says he cannot do it, then he has already made up his mind, and that's good to know up front.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I agree.
Now tell us what it takes differently to do:
an intake swap,
a head swap,
a Cam swap,
a header install.

However, our responses here inform/guide more than just the OP, but all those on the sidelines maybe considering the same interest in spicing up their 318

 

[RemCharger]

Can you show a pic of the console and column? That's a rare one you got there

 

[R413]

I agree.
Now tell us what it takes differently to do:
an intake swap,
a head swap,
a Cam swap,
a header install.

However, our responses here inform/guide more than just the OP, but all those on the sidelines maybe considering the same interest in spicing up their 318

If I was in his shoes I would adjust ny expectations and just enjoy the car the way it is. Could spend lots of money ona poly 318 and it still won't be a performance car. It possible, but not too comon.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Your never too old to do it! Just need to pace yourself and work between naps.