Mild Cam in stock LA 318??

Is this possible or even worth the effort? Im looking for extra HP with a cam, figured while I do a new timing chain I could do a new cam as well. Not to mention new valve seals to stop the puff of smoke out of the exhaust at start up.

What cam would I need to purchase and how much can I expect to pay?  
1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop. 318cid

Depends were you buy it, I have had good luck at swap meets. A stock 340 cam and lifters can be had for $50 usually. Be sure to upgrade your valve springs or the motor won't rev past 4200 rpm. Your other option is to buy new from Summit or Mancini racing, again stick with something close to a stock 340 automatic grind. Expect to pay quit a bit more and again don't forget the valve springs.
Doc  

I used to have a 1980 dodge aspen 4 door, with a 318  2bbl.      it was an average everday driver.    I went to the scrap yard,  picked up a 4 bbl manifold and carb off of an 85 dippy police cruiser.     after i had that,   I called my local parts shop.    i got a true double roller timing chain, new lifters,   and a comp cams  HE-262 hydraulic cam.   262 duration  and .440 lift on both intake and exhaust, on a 110 degree center.     total cost was less than $500 bucks.    what a difference it made in performance though.   i never had it checked,  but according to PC Dyno, it had 249 horses, compared to about 180 stock.    with the stock 318 2 bbl,  i could never burn the tires at the lights.     with the 4 bbl intake and the comp bump stick,  that aspen would smoke the tires any time i put the throttle down more than half way.  

DrMopar,

Could I use the same springs off the 340 I got the cam and lifters from? Would I need to change the push rods as well? And I am also looking at upgrading from 2 bbl to 4 bbl since I have been told that would wake up the 318 a bit as well. Thanks again, your advice has been appreciated.  
1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop. 318cid

Springs from a 340 are perfect, your 318 pushrods will work, however if you can scoop a set from a 340 all the better.
The 4 barrel is a good idea, be sure to get one off a 318 car and keep the carb around 600 CFM. The 318 will only bog down with too much carb. A nice set of headman headers would give you an extra 30 or so horse as well.
Doc  

drmopar:
Springs from a 340 are perfect, your 318 pushrods will work, however if you can scoop a set from a 340 all the better.
The 4 barrel is a good idea, be sure to get one off a 318 car and keep the carb around 600 CFM. The 318 will only bog down with too much carb. A nice set of headman headers would give you an extra 30 or so horse as well.
Doc

A friend was telling me i could just get the complete heads off a 340 and swap them without any problems, I dont buy it but then I havnt had the chance to compare the 2 side by side yet. That would save some time if that could work maybe even some money.  
1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop. 318cid

I think I am in about the same boat as you are.  I've got a 73 duster with a 318 out of a 72 Dart.  The 318 is stock as a stove and while I'm not even close to being able to drive it yet, I love hearing that there are simple cheap mods to get a few more ponies out of the 318.  When you get it all together, let us know how it runs and any dyno readings (if you run it on one).  I know your posts will have my attention.  

Well its going to be a while yet for myself even. From what im seeing right now, parts to even do this are rather expensive. Ive only found the parts on ebay and what ive seen on there its going to be around $400-$550 for the springs, lifters, cam, and push rods from a 340. Another $300ish for a 4bbl carb with manifold. Then hope I can do all the work myself without screwing up something and having to have a mechanic fix my problems.

I have to get a job in the process because unemployment wont be enough to cover this kind of project.

Yes I know the parts can be found cheaper then ebay, just have to keep searching for the best deal on this forum, local swap meets (not that many in the northern IL area), and local craigslist listings. All in due time.  
1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop. 318cid

contact herb reynolds at 302-376-8508. I had a supercharged 318 which had mopar performance swirl port heads with a sweet cam ( also mopar performance ) Give him a call and if he still has them, let me know and I'll see if I can dig up their specs for you if interested. Barry318  

I am having a hard time getting my 318 to idle . ITS a318 race block with stock heads for 82 edelebrock performer spread bore intake 6210-3 holly carb came is not known timing is 12 degrees at 1000 rpm vacume at same rpm is 10 inches .But when you get down to about 950 rpm vacume drops to 3 inches and the  3.5 power valve kicks and it starts loading up please I want to get this motor in my 80 road runner but not the way it runs now by the way this is a factory 4 speed car  

XE250H idle-4800  OR XE256H 1000-5200
here ya go..
http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CC&Category_Code=LACAMHFXE  
age is no lock on brillance