BritishV8 Forum

It is an American V8, of which ,"big brother", hoged a Healy. Perhaps we can discuss the finer points of the small block? Thanks, roverman.

Nice consideration Art.  

Awesome engine for anyone that's ever owned a "Mopar" small block from the muscle car era.  I've owned a 1969 Dodge Dart GT "340"; it was very competitive against the same cubic displacement from Ford and GM.  It also shouted a particular/pleasing sound that would announce its presence from Mopar family.  The actual horse power (like most muscle car of that era) was way under advertised (insurance purpose).  A very torque orientated engine.

A weak area of the engine could be found around the mains on the block, this area had to be carefully magna-fluxed for cracks before proceeding with an overhaul.  

How about an MG conversion with a 340 "SIX-PACK" with aluminum heads.  I don't know the engine dimensions or weight but I imagine that it would be close to the early small block Chevy but heavier than the small block Ford.

I had a 318 in a '71 Valiant... my first car...  and of course I absolutely loved it!  It pulled well, and it proved very durable. I think almost all 318's came with 2-barrel carbs, which was just fine.

Depending on the British sports car, the distributor location (at the back, similar to SBC) might be problematic.

What 5-speed transmission would you pair up with a 273/318/340?  Dodge put some 318's in early Dodge Dakota pickups... how many of those (if any) got 5-speed transmissions? Which make/model transmission did they use?

Back when I was researching an engine to replace my" frozen TR-250 engine", was looking at the Dodge 5.7 Hemi engine. I have one in my 2004 Durango.

I did change all "16 spark plugs" once, which took me awhile. I wanted to do a few things to help out with the gas mileage. The Durango weights in the 6 thousand pound range, so to me seemed a little gutless in stock form, until the gas pedal is on the floor. 1 changed the exhaust system for more flow. 2 installed a large air intake. 3 installed a throttle body spacer. 4 installed a stage 2 chip..... This resulted with wonderful throttle response, (No more gas pedal to floor anymore) when mashing gas pedal to the floor resulted in a huge launch. On a freeway trip, 22 mpg @ 75mph. I believe with a 5 speed auto.

So was looking into using this engine in my TR6. Dodge didn't have a stick transmission that I could find that would work for my application. Didn't want an auto transmission, ended up with Ls1/t56.

I know the 5.7 Hemi engine would be very fun in a Tr6, as for fitment didn't get that far, weight, and measurements. I don't think the messurements are that far off from the Ls1. Not knowing, weight would be faily close.

345hp/375tq without the MDS model

Bore x Stroke 3.92 x 3.58 in, 99.5 x 90.9 mm
Valve System pushrod, 16-valve, hydraulic roller lifters
Block Construction cast iron, deep skirt, cross-bolted main caps ------- maybe a little heavy here!
Centerline of crank to head deck face 9.3 inches
Centerline of crank to centerline of cam 7.4 inches
Centerline of crank to oil pan rail 2.6 inches
Overall block maximum deck width at deck face 18.3 inches
Overall block height from
oil pan rail to top of water outlet 15.4 inches
Overall engine length 21.1 inches
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Combustion chamber volume 84.9cc
Intake valve angle 18 degrees
Intake valve head diameter 50.8mm, 2.00 inches
Exhaust valve angle 16y.5 degrees
Exhaust valve head diameter 39.4mm, 1.55 inches
Oil Capacity 7 qt., 6.6L
Weight (includes induction, wiring harness,
auto-trans flexplate and exhaust manifolds,
but not accessories) 485 lbs
Ignition Two spark plugs per cylinder

Just some more info, throttle body was 6" above the intake, around 33" to pan, apox from manifold 27" to pan, being fairly tall. Wonder if they have lower profile intake setups?

Wow! "sorry" for the dirty engine photos.



Rear sump oil pan! This Durango is a four wheel drive.



26" wide!

Clan thanks for response. My "concept car", is a hot, 318"+ in a Jensen Healy. Supra 5 spd. should be ok. Which irs.? Maybe Mazda. Tuners say good to 500 hp.? Distributor in rear ,is a plus for this swap, clears the sloping hood. Stroker kits are"chevy cheap", from Flatlander.Edlebrock heads/intake, 400 lbs? The 420"/340, goes in my 67 cuda coupe. You can "peep" the sbf./Healy, for sale in JHPS, market place, for why not a Ford swap,(2 holes in the hood).This is about what Chrysler/Jensen, "could" have built. roverman.

Some would consider,$3,100 for a bare 340 block, a bit much. I would tend to agree. 318's and 360's= dime a doz.How cheap ? Scat 4" stroker kit, rated to 700 hp at up to 7,200 rpm. cost $1325,( crank,rods,forged pistons,moly rings, internally balanced, including bearings ).I think we're talkin 420+ inches at less than 1 lb/in. ?Ported "Edlebrocks", are flowin just over 300 cfm.Did I say, Monster Torque?  Got "tubs" out back ?  roverman.

I have a racing friend who runs a 408 (4" stroke) mopar smallblock in a Dart with a Liberty built new process 4 speed.. The car does wheels up launches and runs mid 10's...

Imagine the possibilities. ;-)

Thanks Tony,  let's see the "other" 340 do that !  I'm thinkin, your friend got, "tubs", out-back. Make no mistake, I really dig the Rover V8, but "this", is Mopar-personal. This could be like "Mopar/Jensens", answer to the Sumbeam Tiger, only better.

Art.. the car is stock bodied and is not tubbed.. a 10" slick thats it.
oh yeah.. its a 73 Duster.. not a Dart.

I'm thinkin, pushin a"leetul" more air thanna Healy? Bout' 3,200 lbs ?

Yep, Supra Turbo 5-speed with a Dodge Dakota 3.9L V6 bellhousing:



http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35945&highlight=r154

New generaton Hemi uses the same bolt pattern.

Greg

Greg, thanks for the hot tip. "Lakewood" starts at about $280, 1/4" steel and not even a scattershield. I'm thinkin "Dakota" is alum. ? I like alum. I'm also thinkin,5 spd. is up to the task, 2300 lbs and 400 hp ?  Ok, so it looks like we got motor,bh. and 5 spd combo, which  irs.? Is RX7 really strong enough ?   Nissan or Infinity a better/stronger choice ?"May" push the front wheels forward to 92" wb. Looking for near 50/50 frt/rear and excellent handling. Jensen Healy Hellfire ?

Looks like best bang per buck is 360, "Magnum" block for oem. roller cams and nickle content in block. Thicker cyl. walls than 340". Much easier to get. 406+ inches. Healy Monster II  ?    roverman.

Greg, Did I read correctly? The what year?, Dakota V6 bh. will bolt-up to Supra 5 spd., 9 bolt/2 dowel box ? I'm finding "zip" at this point. I'm ready to buy. Thanks, roverman.

Hi Art.
    I'm showing 94-99 Dakota 3.9L V6 bellhousing.  That will bolt right up to the 87-92 Supra Turbo R154 5-speed.  Be advised, this combo takes an 11" flywheel.  If you have a 273-318-340, you can use the stock 3.9L V6 flywheel.  The 360 requires the truck flywheel.

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3168502&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

Also, the R154 is quite wide.  Some tunnel work may be required.

Greg

Greg and clan. Looks identicle to "pattern" on my W58 Supra box. Turbo? How to tell ? Stamped numbers somwhere ? Over in that Mopar forum, their suggesting truck and little 4 cyl diesel tran's. I'm suspicious of the ratios .Thanks, roverman

Art, W58 is smaller pattern. You need R154. There was a long thread a while back on the differences. Greg knows his stuff on what fits what! Go with the years on Dakota bell and Supra (Turbo) tranny Greg gave.The ratios on the R154 are just right.The Mopar forum is talking about other bellhousings with that pattern, not tranny's.You need the Dakota (AX15) front bearing retainer sleeve and Dakota slave also.Sounds like a longer pilot bushing,too.

Clan, I've read of the W58 being quite durable behind V8's. 400 hp. in a 2300 lb. car ? I see 9 bolts and 2 dowels in"Dakota" bh. ,bigger circumferance than the W58 ? No luck so far with "jdm's" for R154 box. Why not just "spring" for the Lexus 6 speed ? Suggestions ? Thanks, roverman.

Art, Comparison of small(W58) and big (R154)Toyota pattern.

Art, Another tranny option would be Colorado/Canyon 2WD MA5( same as Solstice and Skye roadsters except for shifter location, used behind 400 HP Mallet LS V8 conversions)Toyota large bell pattern but familiar SBC input splines and output like the old Muncie 4 speed. Lower first gear about 3.75 VS. 3.25 for R154. Picture shows one adapted to GM bell. Quite a few on car-part.com, nationwide as low as $250.

Art, For IRS, I have a R230 Nissan 350Z diff. It is 3.69 ratio with Viscous LSD. 9" ring gear.  It is a little too big for what I want and I would trade straight across for an 90-96 Infinity Q45 R200 8" 3.54 ratio ( same large 6 bolt axle flanges).

Jim, thanks, but I'm looking for a "modular clip", like Series, II RX 7, only stronger.This to reduce fab. requirements. BH and R 154 trans are on the way. Trans looks "beefy".New supplier, we'll "see" how good. First build on eng. to be steel crank, Magnum 5.2L, re-ground roller cam and Edlebrock heads and dual plane. 400 lbs. ish ? Safely twist to 7K. Max power probably less. I like, "Jensen Healey Hell-fire".   Anybody ? roverman

Art, Check out Granny's Speed Shop web site.Second generation RX7 Turbo II has an 8" ring gear,4.10 ratio with 4 pinion clutch type posi, and is used in a lot of V8 swaps.It would be a very fun car!

Thanks Jim. I shall check Hot tip just in, reportedly 93'-95',(all turboed/series III RX 7), have"all gear" LSD,(no clutches) and 8" ring gear. I'll probably not need this.   roverman.

Clan, Got R154 and sbm. BH. today. I will either need to put it in a "rat rod" or shorten/find a shifter less than 2 ft. tall ? Shifter "only" was from their pile of same. Suggestions ? Thanks, roverman.