I have always wanted to do this very same swap. But why put a Chevy in it. Mopar performance has some great crate engines like the 360 and the 340 based 410 and 440.
I'll start by stating that I have nothing against using a small block Mopar. If there was one feature of the motor that made it more compatible with the make of the car I probably would have gone that way, but since a front wheel drive car seems to having nothing in common with an older V8...
There are three primary reasons I elected to go with a small block Chevy instead. The first two reasons may be some what subjective so please don't start a long chain of debating them. First, I find that small block Chevy engines are more easily obtainable. The parts are also more widely available and generally cheaper. Trying to keep this project as cheap as I could I went for the motor that can be bought for a dime a dozen. Now lastly, most important, and irrefutably is the size. A small block Chevy is smaller in width, height, and depth. But don't take my word for it, here is a link comparing popular motors
http://carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html. I have the short water pump (SW) which makes the motor 2 1/2 inches shorter then the 360. Now that doesn't sound like all that much, but if you take away that 2 1/2 inches from the 3 inches I have between the water pump and the radiator I'm left with 1/2 inch. There goes my space for the electric fan.
Here is an example of cheap parts. At one point in the build I decided that the condition of an old TH350 trans I had laying around was too uncertain for me to put in only to find out later that it would need to be pulled out and replaced (turns out after giving it to my friend it was in perfect running condition). So with my friends help we found a recently rebuilt TH350, bead basted to an ultra clean finish, a manual valve body and new 2800 stall converter all for only $250 and 25 miles from my house. Now I realize you can find deals with any make motor, but examples of availability are around every corner. I'm going to need gauges for the car one of which will be a speedo. Many speedometers sold by summit already include sending units for TH350, anything else would require special orders. New cam and lifters for $60,...etc.
Again, let's not get into a big debate about what is better or cheaper or what ever, it really was just in my comfort zone for the project and we can leave it at that.
Here is a picture of the transmission, however, it doesn't really do justice to the bead blasted finish.
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lol, that's funny!
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GUD LAWD!!! 300hp in an avenger!! that would be awesome!
