318 performance mods

[Mopar_Ryan]

Ok, so I bought that black 85 D-100 that I was almost creaming myself over. Well now that I've had it for a few weeks, I'm itching for a little more power. It has the 318 with a 2 barrel holley and a cam in it. I'm not sure of the lift and duration but you can hear it camming-out at idle. Well I was wondering what you guys hear at Dodge talk suggest I do for more power. My dad has and old Quadra-jet on our boat that he said I could have for my truck. I know I'll need a new intake, so what do you suggest I get for an intake manifold? I need performance and "streetability". I'm not to worried about gas mileage. But it is my daily driver. I considered doing a 383 or 440 swap but I think I'll keep it original as far as the motor goes and save some money. I'm not exactly sure on what to do for performance so any and all suggestions and tips would be very appreciated. I want to squeeze as much power out of the 318 as I can. Thanks guys,
Ryan

[75 Power Wagon]

get an edelbrock RPM air gap manifold... and how many cfm is that carburetor? dont want to over carb that small of motor.

Also, I strongly suggest also upgrading to...
-msd ignition module, distributor, coil, and wires...
-viper electric fan (do a search and i'll help you if needed)
-headers
-2.5" true dual exhaust with X or H pipe

Those basic modifications will help you out a lot.

[Mopar_Ryan]

Well this is what the truck already has on it... The kid who had it before me put all of this on there.
True dual/w H-pipe 2.25 inch pipe, 2 flowmaster 40's 4"x22" Stainless steel exhaust tips
MSD 8.5mm red Super Conductor spark plug wires
Mopar Aftermarket orange ecu
MSD Blaster coil 2
M Select Camshaft Valve lift: .420 Int .443 Exh
Airaid air filter

I don't know what the cfm is for that carb but I'll find out. It's on the 327 chevy in our boat. The motor has 350hp so I'm sure it's a good carb. My dad said he thinks it's bigger than a 650cfm but he's not sure. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll look into the fan. Also I decided to not go with the stacks. Thanks 75'.

[75 Power Wagon]

This electric fan is something that will be noticeable and help.

When i upgraded my ignition with an MSD 6 and their Pro-Billet distributor... it made a world of a difference.

you dont say if it has headers on it?

[Mopar_Ryan]

Nah, stock exhaust manifolds. And I'm still looking into the fans. I believe it still has the stock distributor. I'll look into that also. Headers are a lil pricey and where I'm from they're always the first thing to rot out. But now that I live in Ga I guess they won't rot. Damn the snow plow man.
Thanks.

[75 Power Wagon]

Nah, stock exhaust manifolds. And I'm still looking into the fans. I believe it still has the stock distributor. I'll look into that also. Headers are a lil pricey and where I'm from they're always the first thing to rot out. But now that I live in Ga I guess they won't rot. Damn the snow plow man.
Thanks.

I've got an old set of headers that just need to be sandblasted and painted... that I would get rid of for 50 plus s/h. ;) In great shape, only reason im selling them is upgrading to ceramic coated headers.

[Mopar_Ryan]

About the headers.... Could you give me the specs on them? Right now I'm more worried about getting the intake and carb. After I get all that straightened out I'll let you know about whether or not it'd be a possibillity for me. Today one of my cousin's friends is coming over. He's a definate mopar man and specializes in the "Go fast" business. He said he'd take a look at what I have and give me some Ideas on what to do and where to go with it. But if you have anymore suggestions I'd like them all.

[Speed Dragon]

I wouldn't put a Quadra-Crap on it. I'd go TQ or a small Holley or AFB. I'd wait on that though and do exhaust first. Put a 4-bbl on a stock exhaust is just going to cause your milige to drop w/o much power increase to make up for it. Exhaust will make a big different, even on a stock engine.

I doubt if it has a cam in it, Dodges normally sound kinda cammy at idle, my '72 has a '68 340 cam in it, 268/276 duration, and it doesn't really sound any different than my stock 318 sounded. I'd do exhaust and a full quality tune-up and see how it does first.

[Mopar_Ryan]

Eventually I'll do the headers. I'm just trying to get the most expensive bits out of the way first. And I don't see why it wouldn't have a cam in it. The kid I bought it from has put a lot of money into it. And he told me at about 62,000 miles one of the lobes wore off the original cam. So he replaced it with the M Select Cam. He told me it wasn't really a performance cam but it was slightly above stock as far as specs go. He told me this before I even bought it so I'm sure he wouldn't make up a story like that if he was trying to sell it. But anyways the quadra-jet is free so I'm not gonna argue with that price. And the exhaust isn't stock, it just doesn't have headers. But thanks for your input. I talked to the Mopar man yesterday and he told me that the 4-bbl, intake and headers are about all I can do without getting into the engine or spending to much money. Which is what I figured. So I guess what I'll probably end up doing is headers, 4-bbl, and intake, and then eventually drop a 440 in it. Yay or nay?
Thanks guys,
Ryan

[Speed Dragon]

Yeah that sounds good. Didn't know he told you he put a cam in it.

[Mopar_Ryan]

Yeah, this kid really kept good care of her. It hurts me to think that I'm "taking away" from the originality of the truck, since it's basically completely original... but I like the Idea of going a little faster and still keeping it looking good. Eh, I guess a 440 was an "original" motor for these trucks.... just not this exact truck. So I'll make it and original 80's style Dodge with a little bark and bite. I'm trying to cheat the system here, but it still feels so wrong.

[75 Power Wagon]

Nothing wrong about modifying your pickup for some power... who cares if the engine is original! It wont add any value to a vehicle like this.

[bherder]

Eh, I guess a 440 was an "original" motor for these trucks.... just not this exact truck.

I may be wrong... I don't think so.... But I don't think a 440 was 'original' in an 85' ..... :D

But hey... Whatever floats yer boat.. ;) When I had my 69' RR I pulled the 383 and put a 440 in it....

[Speed Dragon]

They did come w/ 400's though, you could get one of those, shave the heads and add a cam and you'd have a screamer.

[philthy]

on the q-jet carb, if u look down in the primaries, there will be a small bump (noticable). if there is a bump, its a 800cfm, if not, its a 750 . i promise. i know this thread id old, but no one mentioned advise against it. it wont work for nothing on ur truck. if its for a boat, the float will be diff and the accel pump will be too big. it wont run very well.