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randysglide

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I have just bought a 74 dart swinger and it has a 318 and I want to put a little more pep in it. I will not be racing just want a little more what would you that know suggest. such as intake manifold and what carb and if I would need a mild cam and what it would be. Also what is the usual price of these items. what about the exhaust to give it a little more sound. This is all new to me as I am a rookie at this really could use the help Thanks in advance Randy there are so many intake manifold which one works for this what is single plane and duel plane It will be awhile before I can put it all in but I can start buying what I need a part at a time.
 
For a mild 318 use the following: a stock 340 cam and matching springs, or the summit racing milder perf cam and springs, double roller timing chain, dual plane 4 bbl intake like the edelbrock performer, a small 4 bbl like a 600 cfm carter/edelbrock afb or a holley vac secondary carb. For the exhaust you could add duals to the stock exh manifolds, this would be best done at a local exh shop, and some turbo mufflers.

Assuming you want to do this on the cheap this would be the way I'd go. I'd start attending mopar swap meets and shows to pick up this stuff used, except the cam, lifters, timing chain and springs - buy new stuff.

I'd also recurve the distributor for faster mechanical advance. Should be a fun ride once done.

Next step would be headers, higher axle ratio, and better cylinder heads, but assuming you arent there yet - start with the above suggestions.

Enjoy !
 
Hey Randy, welcome to the site.

Do you happen to know the gear ratio of the rear end. You should be able to locate a tag bolted on the rear ends cover that would say something like; 2.76 on it.
If it's not there, a lock stock and bbl way to know is find the ratio on the ring gear. Look for it when you change out the rear ends fluid. Jack up the car, both wheels and rotate a wheel or the drive shaft by hand until you see the numbers on the rear. It'll like new gear oil anyway.
The reason I ask is not to over cam a numericaly low ratio car.
Cam choice and opinions will be wide and varied. Heres mine in case you have that 2.76 geared rear. The Comp Cams XE256H

Otherwise, I like 66dartgt suggestions. They make sense and are very good steps to follow.

I don't know what the prices for the said items are, but a good source would be Jegs. Click below; http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10002

On what is a single plane and a dual. The Performer and Performer RPM is a dual plane, the TorkerII or Victor series are single planes. The single plane have an open area under the carb where all the cylinders conect. The dual plane is split in half. When you get to Jegs site, click the pictures of the manifolds to see better.
The single planes are for more aggressive engines. Victors are a race only type of manifold. Or really agressive street engine.

I just purchased headers and a dual exhaust kit from them. Headers are Hooker Comps @ $160 and the exhaust kit from headers to rear bumper was a $180. It includes mufflers. A great deal IMO. The addition of an H pipe would be good to use though. Only $30 more. $340 as is now, with H pipe for $370. Best bolt on deal you do.
 
the way I was always told to pick a intake was that dual plane are for lower RPM power and single plane was for higher RPM power.

one of the things you also have to work with is if it is an auto or manual. if it is an auto then you will want to go for more lower RPM power so you don't have to change the converter on the tranny. with a manual it really makes no difference because you pick when to shift.

bottom line, if you look threw all the power gain RPM's on what you are buying this will give you a pretty good guide. but just like I did...if you have any questions post up. rumblefish360 helped me quite a bit when I chose what to buy and mine is probably going to be on the road this week.

I got my aluminum intake from summit for $169 to my door. cam/lifters/timing chain was $279.00 from ebay and that set was new(260H). thiming chain tensioner was $35 from mancini racing. then I had the typical gaskets, fluids and hoses from autozone and it cost me $100 to mill my heads down .010 and clean them. that brought my compression up over 9:1. oh, and a new oil pump for some cheap insurence. I already had the 4bbl holley with vacume secondaries and had already put better plug wires, coil, and recurved the distributor so I am just about done with the motor for now anyway....
 
DBrown. Hope you get her going. I'm on break from mine now. (Still need a shifter and driveshaft damn it, grrrr)
Anyways, post your results and good luck. Thanks.
 
66dartgt I sent you a email, This is alot to take in right off the get go. Will it help for starters to do the manifold and the 4 barrell carb and duals with flowmasters, Cause I need a paint job shocks ect. thanks for all the help. I want it to look good and have a little more pep willl this work
 
Sure - anything to get more air into and out of the motor - and a bigger carb and better exhaust will work, you can do the cam etc later, when time permits.
 
I am looking a a edelbrock #1406 does this sound like the one I need thanks I need to email ya 66 and show you some thing so I know to get the right stuff thanks can you email me back thanks again
 
I have been looking a manifold and which do I need the #2176 or the #3776 my car is from california Thanks again
 
randysglide said:
I have been looking a manifold and which do I need the #2176 or the #3776 my car is from california Thanks again
Click to expand...
Are you staying with in the law? Do you need to or want to.
I don't know what the numbers mean. But, if you need to stay within the law, a Edelbrock Performer with an EGR valve is what you need along with the proper carb. Ethier a T-Q or a emmisions carb from Edelbrock or Holley if they have one. Theres also the Edelbrock Q-J.
 
I am using the # 1406 carb, on my 318 :)

I am using dual exhaust off the stock 273 manifolds,
the duals for the money, are the best thing to help your engine
make more power, and should be the First thing to do.

I am using Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers,
there are Lots of choices for mufflers. :)
 
A few years ago I helped a buddy put together a package for his '72 Challenger 318. We installed a set of heads from a '72 340, with the 1.880 intake valve (360). Mopar '249' springs. Used the 340 cast iron TQ manifold and the matching TQ. Mopar performance 272/.455 cam. 1 5/8 Hookers with duals. And 3.91 gears with posi. The heads were fresh (seats), but no port or bowl work. The car ran very well on the street and went 14.56 @ 95. Dave drove this car for many years and it was turn key with great street manners and good vacuum and low end. A good package and easy parts to score..and cheap enough. Just wanted to throw this out there for the 318 guys. Good luck and as Rumblefish has well stated..everyone ... ALWAYS keep us posted on your results. Terry.
 
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