[thebigblueox]

hey guys. i'm ready to rip the stinking ecm out and piss on it!!! i'm ready for a new non-computerized engine and tranny. what do you guys think about swaping my 318 TBI out for a 402 small block crate engine with a 4 barrel. Really hate the ecm so i'd eliminate most of the computer controlled compents like the transmission. I'm no rocket scientist but i'm guessing that my stock transmission will not hold the 435 horsepower the 402 is throwing out so i'm thinking a nice new tci tranny from summit would fit the bill, wouldn't it? what stall should i run? would a tci 727 work with my transfer case? the company claims that the tranny will hold 450 horses so i'm good right? what about a crank trigger? i saw a guy with a ditributorless 500 wedge in a duster and he said he ran a crank trigger on it. i'm confused about this . how does it work? can i get one for the 402? what will i need to make the engine work in the truck and what about axels? i'm thininking about moser engineering axel shafts front and rear would help keep the power to get to the ground. Bigger u joints mabey? what do you guys think.

 

[CLRracer]

what tranny do u have now? it might can be rebuilt to withstand the HP cheaper than buying one new. also, swap in 1 ton axles, that would be way cheaper than moser axleshafts and $$$ ujoints, and once u go big ull want to swap them in anyway. if ur going all out, i would buy an aftermarket EFI system to put on that 402. u will be much happier.

Duane

 

[thebigblueox]

thanks i have a 727 with a overdrive. do you know anybody to build axels? where can i find a mpi system?

 

[CLRracer]

what year is ur truck? holly and edelbrock both sell mpfi systems, but they arent cheap. the good thing about the 402 is that the intake has bungs u can tap for the injectors, so that will cut down on the cost. as far as axles, ask some guys in ur local chapter where they got there axles built.

Duane

 

[thebigblueox]

well i've got a 91. and you are in my local chapter so what do you think? lol thanks for the help!!

 

[Guest]

Blue? I thought you wanted to get away from computers. Now, you're slready looking for an aftermarket MPI system? Come on. Get a performance ignition from Mopar or Mancini Racing and put a big-o carb on that thing! You can get a performance non-computerized A518, or slap that 727 in and see Gear Vendors for an overdrive if you feel the need. Well anyway, good luck.

 

[thebigblueox]

thanks man i'm just trying to weight out my options. i'm probably going to get a crab because #1 i'm poor and # 2 i don't go up that many hills just through, under, over MUD!!! and electronics don't like water! thanks!

 

[CLRracer]

u can mount the electronics inside, thats the beauty of aftermarket. also, u have an a518, not a 727. and if u were close to here, i would send u to down east offroad. ask some VA guys. and if u ever come to a chapter meet, u will see some hills. ask TheRamChargerMan.

Duane

 

[Guest]

Get the spring loaded needles and seats off-road kit for the carb.

 

[Evildriver-3]

How much money do you have ? ? ? lets start there

 

[thebigblueox]

I was thinking around 7000 to fund the swap. this would take care of the motor tranny and other loose ends.

 

[Evildriver-3]

Well that depends on exactly what you buy, i will tell you i broke a full race tci, and that i think they suck, this is my opinion yes, but when you get a brand new trans and drop the pan for a quick inspection and see 2 bolts missing out of the valve body you lose confidence in such a trans and needless to say 6 months later it died.
If your going to buy a trans i recommend calling A&A trans and speaking with Rick tell him how you are going to use the vehicle and what motor and what not your using and let him tell you what you need, i went thru alot of transmissions before i started using Rick, and i f'in hate laying under any damned thing to change a trans that just crapped out.
If i was you and i had 7k to play with i 1st would use it on the motor and trans, but after that i would go with headers, get a dist, msd ignition, carb (everyday all year round vehicle?), what intake does the 402MP motor come with?, you may just opt to keep the intank fuel pump and get a return style regulator.

Don't forget to answer all the questions.

 

[thebigblueox]

you have a very valid point. i'm looking into having my stock tranny rebuilt to handle the horsepower. But i am trying to get away from anything computer controlled(i.e my stock transmission) so i'm kinda waiting to talk to my tranny guy and see what he has to say. The motor will be topped with a holley 4 brl and it comes with a mopar electronic ignition. I was wondering if i could convert to a crank trigger style ignition but i'm not sure how they work or where to get one. I saw a in a dus500 wedge motor ter without a distributor and a crank trigger setup. I already have headders to fit the motor. As for the fuel pump i was going to go with an electric inline pump and filter combo(i have seen some nice ones in summit) With the crab would i really need a return style regulator?

 

[thebigblueox]

***opps i can't type i mean to say: i saw a 500 wedge motor in a duster without a distribuitor and a crank trigger setup.

 

[Evildriver-3]

Whooooaa!! ok lets be specific here and detailed about what were talking about, are you talking crank trigger not a big deal, or totally distributorless which is gonna ring in the money, then you need the crank trigger and the ignition control from msd and everything else this isn't cheap, im not against crank triggers especialy on a SB when you start shoving motors into the car, im not even against distributorless either but it's not cheap.

Ok you don't need a return style regulator, but keep in mind if you run a return with a regular regulator it's not the same as a return style regulator, you can use the in tank pump and when it breaks then rip out the internal pump and then drop a line in the tank and plumb a new pump in, but if you want to do it now you can.
Are you going to use this all year or only nicer weather, what intake comes with the mp 402.

 

[Evildriver-3]

Whooooaa!! ok lets be specific here and detailed about what were talking about, are you talking crank trigger not a big deal, or totally distributorless which is gonna ring in the money, then you need the crank trigger and the ignition control from msd and everything else this isn't cheap, im not against crank triggers especialy on a SB when you start shoving motors into the car, im not even against distributorless either but it's not cheap.

Ok you don't need a return style regulator, but keep in mind if you run a return with a regular regulator it's not the same as a return style regulator, you can use the in tank pump and when it breaks then rip out the internal pump and then drop a line in the tank and plumb a new pump in, but if you want to do it now you can.
Are you going to use this all year or only nicer weather, what intake comes with the mp 402.

 

[Evildriver-3]

Whooooaa!! ok lets be specific here and detailed about what were talking about, are you talking crank trigger not a big deal, or totally distributorless which is gonna ring in the money, then you need the crank trigger and the ignition control from msd and everything else this isn't cheap, im not against crank triggers especialy on a SB when you start shoving motors into the car, im not even against distributorless either but it's not cheap.

Ok you don't need a return style regulator, but keep in mind if you run a return with a regular regulator it's not the same as a return style regulator, you can use the in tank pump and when it breaks then rip out the internal pump and then drop a line in the tank and plumb a new pump in, but if you want to do it now you can.
Are you going to use this all year or only nicer weather, what intake comes with the mp 402.

 

[CLRracer]

damn marty, did u get a little happy with the quick reply button?

Duane

 

[CLRracer]

damn marty, did u get a little happy with the quick reply button?

Duane

 

[AndrewT]

I was considering something similar for my RC. I was going to wait and make the post when I got closer to doing it, but I'll go ahead and reseach with you. I wanted to use the 380 HP motor as it seems to be the most bang for the buck. ($300 for 80 more hp than the 300 hp motor, and over a grand to go 15 more hp for al heads, almost 2 grand more to stroke without al heads). When the motors needs to be refreshed maybe I'll stroke and get al heads. Anyways I wanted a 4x4 that I could take to the strip. When I was in high school I raced some and miss it now. This would be more of a dual purpose than I am use to . Daily driver with some trips to the strip and maybe a little time in the mud (but I do have several vehicles, so I'd probably stay out of the bad weather).. I was going to rebuild my 727, but am considering looking for a NV4500. Either way I figure I can get a tranny to hold up.

I am more concerned about my diffs. I have the stock 9.25 and Dana 44. Of course gears will come, and some sort of posi/locker. But will they hold up to that motor? I use to run an 8 inch in my 66 stang and never has any problems. It seems to be smaller than the Dana 44, but a much lighter vehicle.

What headers are you using? Mopar recommends 1 7/8 headers.

the 402 and 380 hp 360 come with the single plane M1.