Is power really everything?

[Smellslike1974]

Since I started looking for an older car to restore,my dad always had this father son project thing in mind,even though he's all about gm cars,My dad likes the Satellite because I do,but since I aqiured the 400,hes been kind of trying to convince me to put a cam in it,well more like telling me to put a cam in it,he always talks about when he had his cars,hed be sitting at a stop light and his mirrors would be to shaky to even see anything in them,and he wants to make that happen with the Satellite.It sounds cool and all,but Honestly I dont really care about the power,I was fine with the 318,and was iffy about taken it out.

So I have two Questions.

How much difference would a cam make in a 400(I know theres different cams,hes talks about this voodoo cam or something)

And does power really matter?

[aerodynamic]

For most of us, yes I think power matters. When some impertinant little boy pulls up next to me at the lights in his low-rider with the loud exhaust...you bet it matters. It matters when I'm looking at him in my rear view mirror wondering what his cute little girlfriend thinks. And yes, the cam matters. I have a cammed 400 and I love the sound and the way the car shakes at idle. I love it every time I start it. Anything less and you may as well be in the Honda with the kid I just smoked, my friend.

[moparmodeler]

Hummm, The need for speed.
All my friends have fallen prey to the desire to go faster. So much so they can not afford to drive it more then 20 miles or so.

Now, my as far down the speed pole as you can get Satellite is getting 24mpg, Hummmm. Cruising is no problem.

It may not be quick, but I can run 80mph all day and hear the 36 year old radio.

And besides, it draws a lot of attention at car shows.

I must admit though I have an 04 Hemi pickup that I have tweaked out with a cam, exhaust and computer up grades. I love seeing the new mustangs in my mirror with their confused look.

[rr6pak]

For most of us, yes I think power matters. When some impertinant little boy pulls up next to me at the lights in his low-rider with the loud exhaust...you bet it matters. It matters when I'm looking at him in my rear view mirror wondering what his cute little girlfriend thinks. And yes, the cam matters. I have a cammed 400 and I love the sound and the way the car shakes at idle. I love it every time I start it. Anything less and you may as well be in the in the Honda with the kid I just smoked, my friend.

Couldnt agree more, Aerodynamic. Or how about when your at a light and a kid drives up in a four banger with a pipe the size of a grapefruit? Trying to make it sound like something it isnt.

Smellslike, do you hear people talk about how a Harley feels? "The roar of the engine between your legs" kind of thing? Its basically the same principal what Aero is saying.

[Smellslike1974]

Hmmm...
You make a good point,

I know what u mean about those kids,but even if i had that power,i wouldn't race them,and if it would only be to intimidate them,whats the point?They can go ahead and think they are racing me,im not gonna risk my life or others because of them.(Ill casually ride by their accident up ahead when it happens)
With the dual exhaust my 318 sounded great,i bet its gonna sound better with the 400(or side pipes,cha ching)Everytime i go to start body work on my car,something comes up,so i decided im gonna start on the engine.

[Smellslike1974]

For most of us, yes I think power matters. When some impertinant little boy pulls up next to me at the lights in his low-rider with the loud exhaust...you bet it matters. It matters when I'm looking at him in my rear view mirror wondering what his cute little girlfriend thinks. And yes, the cam matters. I have a cammed 400 and I love the sound and the way the car shakes at idle. I love it every time I start it. Anything less and you may as well be in the in the Honda with the kid I just smoked, my friend.

Couldnt agree more, Aerodynamic. Or how about when your at a light and a kid drives up in a four banger with a pipe the size of a grapefruit? Trying to make it sound like something it isnt.

Smellslike, do you hear people talk about how a Harley feels? "The roar of the engine between your legs" kind of thing? Its basically the same principal what Aero is saying.

Im a four wheel guy but yeah im around harleys in this household ha ha.
But the whole power thing is like having something you can never use(legally anyway)

[71440 gtx]

mmmmmmmmmm
a cam for a 400 a 474 or 484 3.55 8.3/4 oyah

[Smellslike1974]

[landon1]

idk what my motor is done up with...i'm assuming it's basically stock 69 440, but i have aftermarket heads, holley carb, headers, electronic ignition...it sounds pretty mean and rattles windows lol...when i get the cash, i'm gonna throw on a thermoquad or an eddy so i can get mileage out of it (talk to this guy that restores mopars - says all his cars were like mine holley=10 mpg maybe, thermo=17 and just as much power)...

personally, i think the small block cars are good enough - i woulda left the 318 in yours and threw a 4 bbl intake, carb, etc. on it and called it good...

i don't get to have too much of that street fun anymore, cuz people just look and don't even try...i might get burned by some of the cars i see, but they don't try and i don't have to either....plus, i get more looks

[71440 gtx]

a 318 to go fast in 74b body maybe a 340 or360 but not a 318

[fourforty6pac]

Stroke that 400. You wont regret it.

[Serious Satellite]

a 318 to go fast in 74b body maybe a 340 or360 but not a 318

318 and 340's share the same block and it's easy to basically convert a 318 into a 340 and get a tight little quick engine that's light but still powerful enough to embarass the bigger blocks. ..

[71GTX]

Smellslike, do you hear people talk about how a Harley feels? "The roar of the engine between your legs" kind of thing? Its basically the same principal what Aero is saying.

Harleys and Mopars....from 1966 thru 1992. I have several of each and enjoy them for nearly the same reasons!

[71440 gtx]

I don't care what you did to your 318, you could put aluminum heads on it. Do what you want. I could do the same thing to a 400 big block and your smoke your 318 all day long, they're junk. There's not enough cubic inches, I don't know why you think a 318 is such a great motor. A 340 or 360 yeah, but you honestly think a 318 done up to it's nuts in a 4000 pound car is going to beat a .
400 done upIt'd smoke your 318.all day

[landon1]

idk...a big block will smoke it, but i bet you could maybe run a hi-po modded 318 and still get at least a lil mileage out of it...chevy guys are so proud of their 305s and 350s...318 would smoke them easy, i bet