i am currently building a 73 cuda with a 318 and auto transmission.  i would like to keep it as original as possible. i am on a tight budget and i would like some input on the car

first i have a 904 transmission and thinking about a 727 transmission. any comments and is the 727 a better choice??


second and most important,  any suggestions on a camshaft and brand.  i really dont know alot about them and thought some one could help me out.  maybe suggest a few items (i am on a budget) that really work and help out.

any comments on headers and how the fit.

any and all comments welcome.  thanks james  

I have a 73 challenger with 904 and 400 HP 360 pushing it and it works fine. I had the 904 rebuilt and put a B&M shift Kit in it and a 2500 stall. I have heard the 727 is stronger but im real happy with the 904 so far. That 904 will be fine for your 318.
Go with hooker super comp headers. Cams there are so many to chose from it all depends on what you want.I am partial to Lunati.If you want superquick take off go with a high Lift low duration, If you want decent take off and screaming through 2nd and 3rd gear go with a around a 480 lift and a high duration 292 or higher.I have a 360 with a Lunati Bracketmaster 480 lift and 292 duration and it takes off pretty good but comes to life around 2500 RPM 2nd and 3rd gear is screamin. It depends on what you want.  

Thanks for the info. i guess i have a lot of research to do before i get a cam.  that does sound like i am in the right ball park though.  will the 480 lift work with stock pistons??  the input was great and i am thinking the 904 with a kit will free up some money for a core charge and might pay for the stall convertor.

what kind of convertor did you use?  

Hello,
I would agree that your 904 would be able to handle the horsepower of your 318 unless it was an all-out race engine.
Camshaft selection is a bit more difficult with a 318 compared to a 360, however.  The 318 has much smaller port are in the cylinder heads, which drastically has an effect on how well any given cam will work.  Also, with a shoter stroke and less swept area (e.g. cubic inches), putting a cam that idles and drives nice in a 360 cube engine can become a nightmare in a 318 if you want it to behave nicely.  You will need more converter (higher stall speed) in a 318 than your will in a 360 for the same camshaft.
You made no mention of cylinder head or induction upgrades to your engine package.  If you want an intake that is specific to the 318 cylinder head, look for a used Holley 'Street Dominator' 300-7 or the 'Z' version 300-29.  They are no longer produced but you can pick them up on Ebay or swap meets. I have used them several times with the smaller 318 heads, and they are great intakes for the street and coupled with a 600 cfm carb or a good reworked TQ they make amazing power with a fairly mild cam and street headers.  
I would go to Hughes Engines web site or look for one of the milder Lunati VooDoo series camshafts.  It is far easier to overcam a 318 that it is a 360 than you may think.  
Good luck with your project,
Ralph  

You got a heavy car so, dual plane intake, 600-650cfm carb, 1 5/8 tube headers into
2 1/4 inch pipes, with stock bottom end no more than 268*duration & no more than .480 lift on stock 318 heads and bottom.
Then get a 'cut' torque converter from your local re builder  
[it should stall around 2250-2350 with your engine] and at least have a 3.23 + gear.
By the way 904 is plenty strong
[with modification they've been behind 440 drag motors 'lighter weight, better gearing']
BUT if your trying to hurt something you probably will.  

318/904, the factory was thinking when they bolted this combo together. I recommend you leave the 904, it has a better first gear ratio to help the 318 get up and go than the 727.
Headers, simple, headmans, they fit great and are made in the U.S.A. and are very reasonable.
Cam, Mopar performance 474 lift hydraulic with a 3500-3800 stall 10" converter, if your on a budget a 3200 stall 11" converter. Nothing smaller than a 3200 converter will do, you have a small engine and a big car. The only other upgrade I would recommend would be an air-gap intake with a 600-650 holley, the larger 650 double pump if you get the higher stall 3800 converter. You will be surprised at how the 318 will respond to these upgrades.