318 in a Dart?

[DartFart]

Is this a good performing engine for a 67-69 Dart? Are the parts readily available and is the engine reliable?

[BleedDodge]

The cars were light enough but not really a performance car with that engine.

Engine reliable? Probably the best engine ever made for a car...

[DartFart]

Originally Posted by DartFart

Is this a good performing engine for a 67-69 Dart? Are the parts readily available and is the engine reliable?

Could the 318 be modified to produce a bit more performance and would this be a good route to go for a daily driver with some performance in a Dart?
Thanks

[71Cnet]

the 318 is the second most bullit proof eng made. 327 chevy being first but not important. my friend has a 318 in his 73 dart and it is a good driver and somthing that can be taken down the strip. its a good eng and a light car you will have no problem finding parts. mopar performance is the easiest place to find parts but not the cheapest. P.A.W. (performance automotive warehouse) is pretty cheap but doesnt really have a big selection but for the parts you are going to need it will be perfect. if you need anything else let me know.

[turbo maxima]

those engines are pretty nice, i had one in my 73 swinger, they are pretty quick, the engine from 72 put out like 250 stock i know, and parts are not too hard to find, u can easily find an intake and carb to help ad some perfomormance to it, if u want a really nice small block though i recomend the 340, they can handle more power then any of the other small blocks

[BleedDodge]

In '72 it would have only been making 150 horse stock.

[71Cnet]

i was gonna say mine only had 230hp in 71

[MrPbody]

Due to the bore/stroke ratio (relatively small bore), 318 is not really a good candidate for performance mods. We've seen a few that were good runners, but for the most part, they're better as "torque" engines (lower engine speeds). I agree, one TOUGH engine!
The aforementioned 340 is probably the best of the MOPAR small blocks. For a street engine, in a reasonable price range, we recommend the 360. They are MUCH more available than 340, and make a ton of torque. Torque is the primary performance measurement for a street car. Lightly modified, they can easily make 350-400 horsepower, as well. And on 93 octane.

[Fleet 472]

These specs should be of some help:
('69 Dart, Road Test magazine, Aug., 1969)
Engine/hp................. 318/230
Rear axle ratio........... 2.76:1
Curb weight.............. 3,100 lbs.
0-30 mph................. 2.5 secs
0-40 mph................. 4.7
0-50 mph................. 6.5
0-60 mph................. 9.8
1/4 mile................... 16.54 secs @ 84.80 mph

('72 Dart, Road Test, May, 1972)
Engine/hp................ 318/150 (net)
Rear axle ratio.......... 2.76:1? (not mentioned)
Curb weight............. 3,000 lbs.
0-30 mph................ 3.0 secs.
0-45 mph................ 5.2
0-60 mph................ 8.2
0-75 mph................ 13.2
1/4 mile.................. 17.4 secs @ 85 mph
Fuel mileage............ 14-18 mpg

('73 Dart Sport, Road Test, Sept., 1973)
Engine/hp............... 318/150 (net)
Rear axle ratio......... 3.23:1
Curb weight............ 3,400 lbs.
0-30 mph............... 3.6 secs.
0-45 mph............... 6.0
0-60 mph............... 11.0
0-75 mph............... 17.4
1/4 mile................. 17.9 secs @ 76.46 mph.
Fuel mileage........... 12.2-15.5 mpg

[sub006]

Unless you're seeking ultimate gas mileage, I recommend a 340 or 360. Great, better-breathing, heavy-duty equipped engines!

[Sublime69]

I like the 318.. I have a 69 Dart and i put a 318 in it that came out of a 74 scamp i had.

I put the smallest cam that com cams make for a small block mopar, a edelbroch performer dual plan intake and a junk holly 600 vacume secondary. it also had $99 headman headers, 2 1/4" exhaust and dynomax ultra flow mufflers(no tail pipes)

[PeteRR]

Go to Hot Rod's website. They have a recipe for a 400 horse 318 there.

[Sublime69]

Yep, thats a good article..

http://carcraft.com/howto/116_0401_318/

[PeteRR]

Originally Posted by Sublime69

Yep, thats a good article..

http://carcraft.com/howto/116_0401_318/

Nice Dart. What are you using for power? Stroker sb?

[Sublime69]

Its just a 318 on spray.. but its getting a procharger in a couple months.. just a crusier

how about you, hows that strocker workin out for ya?