I have a 1976 Dodge Dart sport that i want to build it is my first build ever. I want to have 400hp to the wheels all motor can anyone push me in the right direction it is the original 318 2 bbl... i know that a 360 would be easier...However, not too many people do 318's and they think they are slow...my budget is 3k and i do have a daily.

 

Go here for a good read on building up a 318.

https://moparforums.com/forums/f75/t...639/#post79059

 

NA 318 motor with 400 to the wheels? Certainly possible, there are a couple old engine master challenge motors out there you could copy but the rpm was very high and they weren't streetable and weren't 3000.

Keeping you 3000 budget in mind and assuming you will do the labor and may want to alter this later for more strip or more street here is a low cost build with some flexibility.

1.M1 intake or equivalent used
2.Cylinder heads flowing 250 cfm intake / 200 exhaust. EQ 318 casting recut with an inexpensive 5/16 valve at 2.02 net 250 cfm at .50 and you can get them for 800 a pair already built.
3. 4 inch mopar crank for the 318. resize used rods and new pistons ( consider forged slugs incase you want to juice it)
4. Cam it ( depends on your rear gear / trans) etc... But it will need to be healthy
5. Rebuild an ebay carburetor 850 cfms
6. 1.75 headers used.
7. Enjoy....

400 HP at the wheel? depends on cam and drivetrain still..... But it will be fun and scary fast.

A side note: 318 magnum motor are a plenty in bone yards. For 300-500 bucks you could get one that just needs a good hone and be good. Plus you would be adding a roller valve train and could use the rockers and valvetrain gear that is very strong in stock form. The roller cam hardware will add HP.

 

Welcome. 400 at the wheels is like 450 at the flywheel, that's race engine territory for a 318 and hard to do with your budget. The 318's I have worked with have been smallish cam, carb and heads to achieve intake velocity and I estimate 320hp 380tq. Going the other way these short stroke engines can make good hp at high RPM. With bigger top end you could reverse the numbers accomplished with mostly stock parts and not too radical of a camshaft. Climbing up to 400 or above is going to take some more serious aftermarket parts and many drivetrain improvements.
I would suggest decideing the useage of the car first, do plenty of reading, then sit down and make a list of what's needed to reach your goal.

 

Both you guys need to read the post from Mopar Muscle. They easily made 415 at the motor. He won't get near 400 at the rear wheels but thiers was kinda of buget build also.

https://moparforums.com/forums/f75/t...639/#post79059

 

Yes, I read that article when it came out, have it sitting around here somewhere.

 

lhttp://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...d/viewall.html

I hadnt read that, good read.. Thanks..

The link here is what i was referring to. He will need the 4 inch stroke to punch it out to 390 cubes. I dont know how to get 400 RWHP out of a stock bore and stroke 318 without a power adder.... But I bet someone out there can show us..

In the build above swap the RHS heads he used for EQ. Save some bucks but give up a little flow. Switching to the roller block and reusing the valve train will add HP and save money.

 

Your motor can make all the power in the world but if you can't get it to the ground, it's useless (Just my opinion).


Depending on the tranny you have:

• Manual trans - You'll want a really good, strong clutch. Stock is out of the question in my opinion.
• Auto trans - you'll want to have it built up. Go with a stall convertor where it starts to kick where you planned power band starts. No point in doing it too soon as you'll feel slugish off the line and too late and you'll miss some of hte power.

As for your rear axle, add a sure gip, limited slip, posi, whatever you want to call it. Having tires that are 8" wide are great but why only have 8" of tire pushing the car when you could have 16". Also select a gear ratio that is right for what you plan on doing with the car.
Just some food for thought.