The Dodge Challenger Message Board

There is another post similar to this, but I just want to make sure that the answer is the same for a Barracuda as it is for a Challenger. I have a 1973 Cuda that was originally a small block car, but I have a 440 I am going to drop in. An experienced mechanic told me that the K-frames were entirely different from small to big blocks on Cudas, not one had a skid plate and one did not, as was said in the other post about a Challenger. The Cuda has a different wheelbase than the Challenger, so I just wanted to make sure that indeed there is no difference for both E body cars. Thanks for your help.

Since big blocks in E-bodies became a thing of the past in 1972, we can refer to the 1970 and 1971 K-frames and their part numbers and see what fit what:

1970: 225CI, Part #2962010; 318, 340, 383 & 440CI, Part #3466477; 426, Part #2962014
1971: 198 & 225CI, Part #3583070; 318, 340, 383 & 440CI, Part #3583074; 426CI, Part #3583076

As far as I know, the K-frames for the Challengers and the Barracuda E-bodies were the same. It seems your 440 should fit the 73 Cuda small block K-frame, but you might want to check with Schumacher Creative Services. 206/364-7151.

It is the same old story. You don't ned to change the k-frame on an e-body to swap from LA engine to B or RB engine. All V8 k-frames were the same. This is not true of other mopars though.

Some 440 and all 440+6 and Hemi have a skid plate to protect the slightly bigger oil pan. In which case they have that "hemi" part number.

Yeah thanks, I was pretty sure of this when I read a topic on it in the forum here, but double checking with knowledgable people never helps. This forum is a wealth of information for a young kid building a challenger, and I thank all of you great people for making it that way.