66 273 buildup

[bbeep71]

Hi,
How would you buildup a 273 2bld. for the street and occational strip? what times and hp could you expect. I have a 88 318 to rebuild, but everyone says I'm crazy to switch because the 66 is stock and a surviour. I'm trying to decide.
Thanks
bbeep71

[cuda66273]

I got my 273 into the low 14's at 3460 pounds with a 3.91 gear and 26" tires.

I used a similar grind to the old Formula "S" specs, Edelbrock Streetmaster manifold and a 650 Carter, Headers, shift kit, massively ported heads. It started to get weak and the leak down test wasn't encouraging, oil pressure was getting lower each week and I kept putting heavier oil in it....finally I gave up and pulled it down....just flat wore out....It was already +.030 so I gave up and built the 318.

Car's lighter now at 3220 and it cranks off steady 12.20's with the same heads, Air Gap, 750 Demon, much more cam, Arias trick pistons, 4.56 gear in a Dana 60 with spool, bigger tires.

I'll bet with some grinding in the block you could put a 360 crank in that 273, bore it to +030 and you'd end up with about 325"s out of it..it'll take some custom pistons but if you start checking you'll find that the 273 +030 pistons arn't available anymore anyhow..

Racer Brown Cam, Air Gap or RPM intake, 650 Demon street carb, good headers, lot's of port work and you'll be in the mid to low 13's.


Enjoy your steady diet of 350/350/350 Chebby's

[72Challenger]

Or you could pull the 273 and put it in the back of the garage. Remember that anything you do to the 273 you can do to the 318, and it will get more power for the same money and effort. By all means keep the survivor engine, just don't keep it in the car.

[Dart]

I second 72Challenger. Ever though about a 360? Can be had for around $150 for a builder and would cost the same to build as 273/318 and you would have more cubes.

[bbeep71]

Thanks Guys,
I already have a 318 to build , but am having second thoughts about building it. I thought about a 360 but decided on a 318. People who have seen my Cuda think it should stay stock. I want to build stock looking with more power.
bbeep71

[Doug Wilson]

I'd do the 360 - lower stress for the same power and less money for the same power. Put your 273 valve covers and air cleaner on it with a K&N inside, and... there you go - Clark Kent!!

[Dart]

The 273, 318, and the 360 are virtually identical. Unless you looked at the stamping on the block you wouldn't know the difference betweent he 318 and the 360. The early 273 is a bit different looking. I vote 360.