The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Ok ... as Im not a mechanic BUT like all of us I keep an eye out for a bargain .. the question is this!

Ive seen these crate motors in the states being offered for about £2700. not inc shipping etc.

I have a 318cube 1972 challenger. with a 904 tranny. My car is stock with original running gear.

Will the crate motor drop straight in? will I need to (undoubtebly) re work the old 904 (best man in the uk for the job?) or up grade to 727 tranny?

The car will not be used for racing but I want a good reliable motor at a reasonable price so that when I hit the loud button it will fry the tyres but still get me to work and back.

ANY info gratefully received I ll leave this link so you can have a look at what Im seeing and give me your opinions.

P5153475 360 Magnum Crate Engine — 390 Horsepower, 420 ft.-lbs. Torque

link on next line.

http://www.jimsautoparts.com/mopar_perf ... ngines.htm


Many thanks again

G.

I bought one when they first came out with 9:0 to 1 Comp. and the only difference between it and the production 5.9 was the cam and intake which was a single plane. The cam was a 292/.509 Hyd. roller with 74 degrees overlap and ground on 112 centers. It was a big cam with only6- 8 lbs. vacum at 800 RPM. I used a model Holley Model number#4779 Dual feed, twin mech. accelerator pumps and it worked really well, pulled hard on the top end to 6k with the MoPar Single Plane large plenum intake. It felt like a stock 383 give or take. Great little engine for the money. I have well over 60k hard miles in year round cold to hot weather. The current 390 H.P. uses the big valve 2.02 heads and revised cam I think? You should be able to make 450 H.P. easy with a better camshaft such as a Hughes or Comp Cams Fast rate of lift without going any "larger" I used a Eddies AirGap and Holley 670 Avenger eventually cause I do a little off-roading and towing from time to time, now it runs as good as it did before with better low speed drivability, of course my app is a heavy vehicle yours isnt I take it. I would try and get a A-727 but if you cant you will need a Heavy Duty 904, it wont take 420+lbs. ft. for vey long. This engine has exceeded it's power output in every independent testing it's ever been in!