Need help with a logical plan

Rocco,

The smartest thing to do on any mopar you get is:

1. Brakes. Make sure to replace all wearable parts and hoses. If you have drums in front, chuck them and get a disc setup at least. This should be the first upgrade for any Mopar.

2. Upgrade the suspension, at least install new shocks, if the suspension is worn, replace all the front bushings, upgrade torsion bars to at least .920, this will make it a fun, stable, ride. You would be stupid not to add a front sway bar for $99, this will make your car predictable in emergency lane changes amd give you better handling, add the rear bar to make it even better.

3. Now its time to go throught he steering system, check the steering bushings and maybe add a new steering box.

Now you can go through the engine. I agree a 360 is a great place to start if you are doing a budget engine build, add a set of Magnum 360 heads and you will have an easy 375 HP engine. Stick with a Magnum RPM Air-gap intake and a 650 CFM Edelbrock Carb, go with the Performer RPM Cam too.

If you take it to the next level, go with Edelbrock heads with the same combo above and you will get about 425-450 HP easy. Dont forget to add a good higher stall TQ converter and a set of 3.5-ish gears.

Want to bust some balls on the street, go with a a 408 stroker, it really is not going to add much in cost to the above combo, maybe another $1K. Now you up to 500Hp, but you will get a serious increase in torque. Be prepared, at this level you will need to make sure your trans and rear end are up to snuff. Did I mention you will probably be running 11's with this combo?

Now for the serious stuff. Think about this. You ever wanted an engine that makes small children break out in spotaneous crying when you start it? Try getting a 400 Block and dropping in a 440source.com stroker kit with Edelbrock heads. Now we are talking 500 ci, if that dont get you respect, the 550-575 HP will, and the 600 ft/tq will make grown men piss themselves in fear. Run it with a 250 @ .050 duration cam, an 850 Demon carb, a set of 2" TTI headers, and a victor intake. This is serious big boy territory here, might weigh about 100 lbs more than the small block above, but, oh yeah, it will cost about the same as that 408 stroker. :headbang: