I need advice: v-8 & stick into 62 Lancer

[djbartu]

Hello, I'm taking on my first Mopar project and need some advice. (I recently finished a '69 Camaro convertible where every part can be ordered from a catalog)

I have a 62 Lancer that I want to build as street/strip vehicle. Of course the slant 6 will go, but what do you recommend as the simplest, most effecient V-8 swap? I'd be looking for about 350 - 400 flywheel horsepower, but also a lot of torque. I'd like to do a 4 (5?) speed.

Where do you suggest buying replacement and speed parts.

Again, I'm just looking for some general ideas. I've only built common GM vehicles all my life and never dove into the Mopar world ... till now. Thanks in advance for any tips you can give me.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Welcome to For Abodies Only website.

1962 and older cars you will need to lose the underhood heater.
There is not a lot of room under the hood of the 1966 and older
Mopar Abody cars, so everything is more work.

Unlike GM vehicles the Mopars use a different transmission/bellhousing
bolt pattern for 6 cyl, small block V8, and also big block V8's.

{A slant 6 auto tranny will not work with any Mopar V8}

Look at this linked thread for some info.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=101759

As a hint for even More info;
the Search Function helps on any website. ;)

 

[djbartu]

Thanks for the reply.

So I guess, for a hobbyist who is used to disassembling a vehicle, ordering new parts from a catalog and putting everything back together, this project may be a bit over my head???? I figured it would not be nearly as building a Camaro but I do not have the resources to fabricate parts. Hmmmm, I guess I'd better rethink this project.

 

[caferacerx]

the 1967 and later chrysler A-bodies are much easier to work with and have better parts availability, the 64, 65, 66, were at least available with a V8 from the factory, the 60, 61, 62, A-bodies were only available with the slant 6, so it will take a bit of fabrication to make a V8 fit, but it can be done without too much trouble, another option is to keep the slant 6, as they can be built to make a surprising amount of horse power, info here
http://www.slantsix.org/ and there are quite a number of performance parts available
if you are going to go with a V8 the best bang for your buck to get the numbers you are looking for would be a 360 block, they are plentiful and can easily outperform a 350 chevy, and with a stroker kit are a match for a big block

 

[48limo]

60-61 has the same Kmember,lower ball joints 60-61,rear end bearings 60-61,we've put in a 340 auto in a 61 val,changed kmember to 62-66,your looking at a lot of work,sorry

 

[cavemanmoron]

Yeah if your used to working on a Camaro or Nova Mopar is alot more work.

Exhaust is a big hassle compared to GM< which you can buy from Summit as a kit cheap. Below is a pic of my Camaro I sold back in 1994.

Thanks for the reply.

So I guess, for a hobbyist who is used to disassembling a vehicle, ordering new parts from a catalog and putting everything back together, this project may be a bit over my head???? I figured it would not be nearly as building a Camaro but I do not have the resources to fabricate parts. Hmmmm, I guess I'd better rethink this project.

 

[grimreaper]

While the V-8 swap into a road toad is far more involved than a Camaro or Chevelle , please don't rule it out. There is a wealth of information on the web and this site has a bunch. Get some thoughts together about what you want to end up with and start asking questions. Folks will be happy to assist with a lot of info. After collecting the information provided, then, decide if it's something you are willing to undertake. Folks in the know on cars recognize and respect the additional requirements for a car such as a V-8 Road Toad. Part of the fun is figuring out how to get around some of the difficulties a swap like this entails and your satisfaction will be far greater as well. This sort of swap is actually not a lot different than a buy, bolt & roll effort except that you may end up buying some service or fabrication that you wouldn't on a Chev. Get a plan in mind, ask questions, assemble the answers and modify the plan until you understand how you will arrive at completion and you will have a car with GONGA COOL FACTOR!

 

[65cudalover]

Build the slant six it is always a surprise to see a bad *** slant six with 4bbl carb on top!. The car is lite and decent hp from a slant six will make it roll and sound nice! Otherwise a 318 v8 will be the choice to shoehorn in a lancer with 904 trans, keep in mind you weak rear end will blow up if pushed too hard...I blew one right out of my 66 cuda drag racing and learned to build or buy 8 3/4 rears but they must be shortened and custom built to fit a bodies, expensive at the least.....