What motor to use?

[NASCARfansCJWW]

Well I'm old school (Chargers, Challengers & Cudas) and my 13 year old daughter thinks those old cars are uncool, but we have reached a compromise on our project car, a 280ZX that we are dropping a V8 in, I get to pick the motor (mopar of course) now the question is we would like to use a later model possibly with fuel injection and overdrive tranny, what are good canidates? Or what about magnum heads an older 360? any input would be appreciated!

[biggerhammer]

you ought to look for a totaled ram or dakota, get one of the magnum 360's with all the fuel injection stuff

[rumblefish360]

This you probably allready know but, you can use older blocks and Magnum heads with Magnum intake no problem. MoPar has single plane intakes for them as well.
Most wrecks have lockup trannys. If thats a problem, look for older units that are not lock ups . MoPar sells the OD trannys new in a non-lock up style in both the A-500 (904) and A-518 (727) styles.
Later F.I computers are best. MoPar also sells upgraded H.P. computers. Grab the old one from the Dak or Ram for the core charge on them. It'll save a bundle.

[NASCARfansCJWW]

this is what I may end up leaning towards a older 360 block with a set of magnum heads and will probably end up with a 4-barrel with a 518 or 500 tranny (no-lock up converter). I already have access to the block and are open to any suggestions on cams and such, we plan on racing this some but mostly a toy, so it doesnt have to be a high rpm screamer. I've been out of Mopar muscle for a while so I'm not in touch with the OD trannies and magnum motors.

[Kevin Garceau]

Just put a small block chevy in it. Half the hassle, half the cost, as much if not more power for your dollar.

[rumblefish360]

Funny Kevin.

I remember some place I read Magnum heads flow well to approx. .500 lift as cast. Use a split pattern cam with about the .500 number. Remeber, Magnum heads have 1.6 rockers rather than the 1.5 of our older "LA" Comando engines.
A good cam to start with is the create engines cam. It's a tad more than .500 lift and not a problem. It is a roller though.
Remember the 360 create engines make over 400 hp with stock Magnum heads. (It uses a carb though)