I'm having a hard time making this call, need help

[Challenger Chuck]

Ok, I can't make up my mind on rather to put a new 2 barrel Carb on my Challenger, or add a new Edelbrock 4 barrel and intake manifold? I'm getting new headers for sure, but the car in all original, and for me it's a tough call, somebody help.

It just seems like when you start adding extra's you start having problems, maybe that's in my mind. What would you guys do?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

what engine ?
The 318 doesn't seem to gain much with a 4 bbl & intake unless you change the cam as well

 

[Challenger Chuck]

Yes, it is a 318

 

[Challenger Chuck]

The car sounds good, runs and drives good. If it's a waste of money to add the 4 barrel carb and intake then I don't want to waste the money. I will just put a new 2 barrel on it and go from there.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I am not saying it is a waste of $$ , but I have done this on a couple of 318s & they do not gain much without doing at least cam , you are adding headers etc so that will help too . I would look at the Holley Avenger 570 as one of the best carbs for a 318 . There really are no intakes specifically designed for the 318 small port heads except the old LD4B eddy , all other intakes are designed with the larger 340-360 port size . There are a number of ways to go here , you can use the 87-92 302 swirl port heads but they still have the smaller port size or you can swap to the 308 heads from the 360 but you lose compression , add a VooDoo cam 60402 with carb intake & headers & you will get a good gain .

 

[Challenger Chuck]

Thanks for the help! I still may make the change, just ca't make up my mind. Headed to the shop in an hour, I got to make a choice by then.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Don't waste your $$ on a Eddy carb , they all need tuning & run lean , not very responsive either . I would have to check if Proform makes a carb in the 550 CFM range that would be my #1 choice .
Intake & carb swap is easily done at any time but if you have to replace the carb anyway it makes it more difficult

 

[Challenger Chuck]

The 2barrel is leaking gas from the gasket onto the manifold, and the carb is 40 years old. I'm gonna add a new one no matter what, just trying to make up my mind if I should keep in original, or make the jump to the 4 barrel.

 

[Challenger Chuck]

Just got back from the shop, and after a long talk the guy told me to no mess with the car, he said you have a good running and driving #matching car with factory air and more. He said in my opinion, don't touch it. He said rebuild the Carb, and enjoy this car.

 

[ramenth]

Just got back from the shop, and after a long talk the guy told me to no mess with the car, he said you have a good running and driving #matching car with factory air and more. He said in my opinion, don't touch it. He said rebuild the Carb, and enjoy this car.

Numbers matching on a 318 car doesn't mean much unless it's a low mileage survivor to begin with.

It's a matter of how far you want to go to wake up the little bad boy. As our buddy Chryco pointed out, if you go with a 4bbl and intake then you might want to explore heads and cam. So, it really comes down to how much work you want to do to keep it a fun driver. A carb rebuild and you're back on the road.

You can always take out the little 'teen and put it on a stand if you're concerned about numbers matching, find a 360 to play with, drop it between the aprons and rock.

 

[Challenger Chuck]

It has 141,000 miles, and runs good now. I just need to find a carb for it, I'm driving it now with no issues, but a small leak between the carb and intake.

 

[Challenger Chuck]

Ok, give me a good set up for making the 318 all it can be. Carb, Intake, Cam, and whatever else. Put it on me!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

What year 318 ?
the 70 was actually quite powerful , the 72-74 had less compression . with 141,000 on it I would look at a total rebuild , or as Ramneth said just put in a 360 .
Continuing with the 318 & assuming you have compression I would look at a 60402 cam , Rpm intake with 308 heads ported & a Holley Avenger 570 or a Proform 67211 , double roller timing chain , electronic ign

 

[Challenger Chuck]

It's a 72, I remember the 71 Challenger my dad had with a 318 out running big blocks. That little car would run! My buddy has a 70 cuda that had a good 340 in it, and he sold it to a friend who put a crate engine in it, then my friend bought it back and still has the 340 out, i may talk to him about buying the 340 unless I can find a good 360 for sale.

 

[Tonefiend]

My 318 has the stock exhaust manifolds, an rv cam, ld4b intake, and an edelbrock 650 cfm carb. 160 or 260 k original miles. It smokes a bit but has decent power and runs great.. I have a 340 to build that will eventually go in there. Id get the 340 if you can!