1979 Magnum Cheap build ideas needed

buddy of mine is planning on buying a Camaro, and thus called me out saying his carmaro will beat my 1979 Magnum in a drag race.

ive been building my Mag as just stock with a beefed up 318, but now i really want to blow the doors off this kid. i plan on keeping the motor i have in it right now, its a 1970 block 318 with .484 lift cam with matching springs, cast iron 340 intake, headers. im guessing 250 horsepower?

where i think my weakness is, is the 8 1/4 rear end with 2.74 gear. i do though have a 9 1/4 axle with 3.55 gear and sure-grip out of a 77 b200, ive read that it'll fit under without narrowing it, but what do you all think?

i have around $700 give or take to finish the car so price is a factor. i will be doing all the labor myself. plan on buying a 600 cfm holley also for about $200

think my buddy is looking at a lt1 or ls1....but if he got a 3800 it wouldnt surprise me..


thanks for any suggestions,
John

Indy Cylinder Head makes a good head for either a 318/360, of the 5.2/5.9. I have a set of the 5.2's in my truck, and (for me) it give about a 80-90 HP gain. I would advise not to go to extreme on a cam, stock 318's can only handle about .455, so depending on your combintion, .484 sounds a tad to big. Keep it though, cause it'll be good if your get a few more power adders. Good luck on your project!

I had a 78 Mag and those things are tanks. I think I would decline his offer to race. $700 won't even get you close to beating him IMO.

With that 2.74 rear gear ratio you best be racing from a rolling start....

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry movie quote, " My top end is unlimited!"

thats the plan if i dont swap the rear axle haha

Originally Posted by MIRADAMEGACAB

With that 2.74 rear gear ratio you best be racing from a rolling start....at 100 mph and hope his top end speed limiter wasnt bypassed.

There I fixed it! LOL

Spray that engine with a 150 shot of Nitrous.

Dont laugh, Ive done it before on stock 318's. Start to spray at 3000rpm, run 30 degrees of total timing, colder spark plugs and dont spray for any more than 15 seconds. The head gaskets will let go before the pistons do.

It's big block time!