318 build advise

page 3
>To try and compensate for the alloys propensity to get rid of heat, I run mine at a minimum coolant temp of 205*F, and run unwrapped headers, to try and increase the underhood temps, to reduce the delta-T. That way, when I nail it, I can expect the engine to have some snap. But those temperature regulation measures come with there own problems to solve.
>The most fun car combo I ever had was a hi-compression 340 bottom-end, with a 318 top-end, including the 2bbl and 318 cam, a 273 trans/TC, stuffed into a Lightweight-A, with small-diameter tires, 3.23s, and a hi-flo exhaust system. Why? Because that is what I had at age 20. That stationwagon was a dynomite fun car.
For you, OP, without a hi-Dcr,
I would start with a 2800TC, big rear gears, then a hi-flow dual exhaust. I have several times, put 3.91s to even 4.30s, behind otherwise stock 318s, in street-As, and have never had a comeback; only impressed customers and friends. The thing is, no matter what you do to your 318, you will HAVE to do the TC and gear thing sooner or later, and the hi-flow exhaust; so you might as well do them first; cuz later, you will be too broke to do it, and your low-Dcr 318 will be a huge disappointment.
I've been down that road a time or two ........... lo-Dcr 318s, with lo-stall TCs, and hi-way gears, just suck, I don't care how much NA power they make.
AS always, I'm jusy trying to help, and to try and save you some heartaches; been there done that.