RE: IML: More Power from EFI 318 or Big Block Swap ?

["Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>]

The 81-83 cars were designed to be serene, comfortable high speed (but not
over 85!) cruisers.  They were not designed for anyone who would be
interested in acceleration or quarter mile drags.  They have a 2.22 rear
axle ratio, for one thing, and an A904 transmission.  They are VERY heavy
(look at your door sticker- you'll be shocked to see they weigh 4400 pounds
empty, and 5500# fully loaded, if I recall correctly).   

So, for your tastes, I'm afraid you have the wrong car.  Yes, if you
stripped all the sound deadening and fancy features out of the car, found
substitute body parts from a Mirada or Cordoba (thinner sheet metal and
glass), you could probably make it move better, and yes, there have been a
few folks that have shoe-horned a big block into one of these, but that
still results in an overweight, slow car - and it will not take that torque
in the 8 1/4 rear end.

If you want to hot-rod the car, I think you'd be better off finding a
clapped out Mirada or Cordoba, and have your way with it.  Offer this low
mileage, pristine example on eBay (you won't get much for it, I've sold 3 of
them on eBay and even a VERY nice 58,000 mile CA car with a mint dark blue
leather interior only brought $2500) but it stands a chance of winding up
with someone who will appreciate the car.

Dick Benjamin

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Mrfixit1962@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 5:46 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: More Power from EFI 318 or Big Block Swap ?

I got the gas tank seals in (thanks for the help in finding the part
numbers) and now I hope I can find out how to get more power out of the 318
V8 with EFI. The motor runs great but is totaly gutless especially when I
compare it to my 01 dodge 3500 runs 14.8 in the quarter mile powered by a 6
cylinder. 
I originally bought the car because I loved how it looked and was intending
to do a big block swap to it until I found out that the miles were original
at 33K and it was a rare power moonroof car. It was a shame that Chrysler
gutted the Imperial with a small block. The car looks fast, and handles &
rides great but has no power like all the other Imperials before.
Now before anyone gets upset, I did try to sell the car at a loss to anyone
who would keep it original, but never had any takers. So now the game plan
is to either get the orginal 318 with the EFI get out of its own way with
some reversible upgrades or do a complete big block swap using a dodge 400ci
and restroking it to 500+ cubic inches and 600hp on pump gas with a 727 auto
w/overdrive and a dana 60 rear end. The reason for using a 400 is it is a
low deck motor like the 383 which will fit better than a 440 and is easier
to find with all the accessories like AC still in place.  Either setup I
want the car to look and sound all original making it a "sleeper" . 
So first question is what can I do to the 318 V8 & EFI (keeping the EFI) and
get the car to break into 15 second quarter mile? Currently the car is 100%
stock and I do intend to replace the exhaust with duals (no emission testing
here in west michigan. Anyone ever added N0S to one of these cars ?  
Second question has anyone out there done a big block swap to a 1981 to 1983
Imperial or Cordoba? what was involved and any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks Kyle   


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