Tiffany

Hi guys and gals..........
I am new, what need to be done to drop in a 440/727 in a A-body car with the 318/A904 and can it be done at a reasonable cost ? Where can i buy a good rebuild 440 from carb to pan for REASONABLE price making least 425 H.P. and 500 T.Q. ?
Tiffany and her future duster or dart

Archer

Tiffany -

You'll need new motor mounts (check with Schumaker Racing, they have specific mounts for conversion projects), and probably a new oil pan (to fit the K-frame) and a new or modified drive shaft. You won't be able to figure out the last two, until you start fitting stuff.

Header fit might need a little work (get the hammer )and you're looking at a new exhaust system. You'll have to consider torque converter stall and find out what rear the car has, both model and gear ratio, as that has to factor in as well.

425 - 500 HP is very do-able with a 440 and you should be able to keep it pretty street-able too, it's be done, but there's always some fitting and fabrication to do. That's why it's called a project.

Welcome aboard!

Archer

Tiffany

Hello Archer.........

is Schumaker racing still in business ? with that kit, can still use the orignal K-member or still have to change K-member to accept the 440 ?
many thanks........
Tiffany

blue 68 gts

You're looking at some cost for 400+ hp and 500 lbs of tq..

Anyways, Yes Micheal is still in business. Here is a link to his site: (My Dad and I have known him for years)

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

All you will need is mounts, and you can fit in a 440 no problem, with a 318 k frame. Stock pan WILL fit.

A notch in the driver side mount on the k-frame needs to be done for the oil pump
IF you go the route with Schumacher headers, they'll fit right in without cutting or beating away at the body.

Anything else will need some slight hammer work done.

blue 68 gts

PS: Welcome and pictures are always great to see!

Tiffany

hello blue 68's GTS......
I have decided which A-body 318/A904 clean car to buy. which duster, dart, scamp, demon would be best for this kind of swap as my goal was to build a 440 A-body car for my daily driver. where can i get a fresh is mild 425 horse 440 for reasonable cost in area of 3000, can something like that be done for that price range using forged crank, six pack rods and alumuim heads, forged pistons maybe 030 over block ? I am sorry for asking too many questions as i am learning hard.
thanks guys............
Tiffany

TVLynn

For $3K probably NO.. You need a transmission too! I would at least double that cost to $6-7K just for the motor. A good 440 core is worth $800-1,000

blue 68 gts

I have roughly $2500 into my 440.... And any big block transmission that is rebuilt will be set. A kit is only about $130, then a converter and you're set there.

I wouldn't pay more then $250 for a short block 440.... they are fairly common motors. I've got 3, and my dad has 5 sitting in our shop.... Not including the ones in our cars.


I would say for about $3000 - $4000 you could find a 450 hp 440. Just gotta keep your eyes open and searching. Theyre around. My dad bought 2 440's that run 10s for under $3000 ea.

Dusters, Darts, Demons, Scamps, Valiants, ect are all the same from fire wall up. So whichever you go with, it'll be the same process for which ever you get.
Ps: Ditch the 6 pack rods

Tiffany

Hello blue 68' gts.....
did you say ditch the six pack rods ? are they not as good as the stock rods that are in common 440's ? i am learning smile.
Tiffany

blue 68 gts

Tiffany,

I have STOCK rods in my 71 440, the motor was more or less "built" in the mid 70s and put into a 69 swinger which wasn't driven often. I'd estimate that my motor has less then 30,000 miles on it total.

But if you're going for power and fast, the 6 pack rods will weigh you down. They are paper weights.

If you're going to be building one from the ground up, I'd recommend H-beam rods. I've heard alot of good luck with them. And my friend who runs mid 11s in his turbo dart runs them. Never an issue. He put down 400whp.

I also put down 400 whp with my 440.

Tiffany

hello Guys and Gals........
is that a good motor for to use in A-body car on a budget ? see the link and let me know what you guys think ? http://www.dodge-chrysler-auto-truck...ngine-382.html can i change it to a 440 magnum cam in it and make it a 375 horse version ?

Tiffany

blue 68 gts

A cam would def wake it up.

Again, IMO, I don't know if you're going for a "Streetable" car or a "more race only" car, but you should go with a 383 imo.

But if you go with a 440, you can't go wrong with a .484 Mopar performance cam..

Tiffany

hello blue 68 gts.........

wanted the car to be a street version of a 440,A-body. where i live ,there is ricers everywhere !!!! monster size wings and loud fart pipes !!!!

Tiffany