Rebuild 318 or go Crate
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on getting my 68 Dart 318 road worthy and am having trouble deciding on whether to rebuild the 318 or replace with a crate engine. ?
Right off the bat, consider a couple items, resale and performance. Both will be diminished with that 318. You are better off with a crate engine or a build of larger displacement, especially if it is to be a daily driver or street car. Remember 300hp will become milder and more street friendly as the cubic inches go up.
6,000 won't get you far in this game as you are coming to realize. Keep in mind selling parts you have on hand can offset some of those costs. For instance I sold my complete front end for 1,500. My new on e was 4,990. Net cost 3,490.
300 hp is a reasonable expectation, even for the 318.
You don't need hydroboost. Run the factory setup or better yet run manuall brakes with a 7/8" piston. AKA, poor man's power brakes.
If you are going to upgrade to 4.5" bolt pattern you'll need new rear brakes anyway. Spend your money once and get rear discs.
In my opinion, and it's just that, an opinion, I believe the 67-69's look best with 4 wheels all the way around of the same size. Ex, all 17's etc. I like a stagger, just not on A bodies.
Great intake - New Intake (Dual Plane Air Gap RPM) - $259
Great heads - New Heads (Aluminum Edelbrock RPM) - 2 * $800
Go with a holley based carb- New Carb (Edelbrock 600CFM) - $300
TTI is a good choice just keep them INSIDE the fenders..- Headers - $750
2.5 or 3" I'd just go 3". TTI makes good stuff. Get an "X"pipe - Dual Exhaust - $748
Any ideas with this? - New Cam - $200
MSD or the like I hope...- Electronic Ignition - $236
Of course there's all the unforeseen costs...Many.. but you can take the engine out and put it in right in a driveway.
If the stock 318 runs, the option of driving that while working on other things isn't a bad idea. YOU CAN upgrade your exhaust. You could even install headers so long as you stay with an LA engine.
To upgrade the rear to 4.5" you need to buy new axles or have yours re-drilled. FOr the cost of aftermarket axles these days and how sketchy it is to have yours re-drilled go with new.