Thread: Can you put a Chevy Engine in a Dodge Dart?

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As mentioned by several members the short answer is yes……but there is a bit more to it than that. It’s obviously not going to be a bolt in.

Chances are you’re going to run into more than an issue or 2 doing it. The motor mounts will have to be custom fabricated as to a certain extent will the exhaust. Chances are you will run into oil pan sump problems (possibly requiring a custom pan due to the center sump design of most MOPAR engines). Then there will be a custom trans mount/crossmember, custom drive shaft, Power Steering connections, transmission shifter and a bit of electrical changes. Depending on the year on and original power plant you may have to look at upgrading brakes and rear end (even into the late 60s some of the A bodies were using the small 5 on 4” bolt pattern).

If you have time and patience, fabrication skills along with an engine hoist, set of tools, welder and a place to work sure it’s doable. If you’re farming out the work it’s not going to be cheap to have it done right.

In the end you’re hopefully very happy with it and have a thick skin as it will not be accepted well by either the Chevy or Mopar camps (the Ford guys will just laugh).

Believe it or not I’m not trying to discourage you, just giving some insight into what to expect.

if you got a 225 slant 6 3spd 1974 Dart or somthing like that, it's not worth much.. Chevy wouldn't hurt the value but it won't gain value.. your only gain would be more power easier.. turbo'd 225 can do 600 HP on the right setup tho.. however, a 318/360 will be the same cost, or a little more to build than a 350 SBC in the same flavor.. BUT, you will have less fabrication and fabrication costs being it will almost bolt in.. as well as not being hacked up it will increase value... if you have a 318/240/360 powered Dart arleady, then it is kind of a waste to even consider a brand swap..

and if you have somthing like a '64/'65 Dart.. then it's kinda stupid anyway. being the 6cyls are worth at least $5-8k buildible

My neighbor has a 360 powered 64 valiant, pretty quick little car, sleeper style. He had to rebuild the trans hump in the floor to accomidate the 360.

yep you should get that sbc block to fit good if you put it in the trunk

yea i just helped my buddy build a 408 stroker for his dart, for relatively cheap, you just have to want to do the work. With some work from the machine shop and the stroker crank, he is putting out 450hp.

I had a 1973 Dodge Dart sport with a 340.Cam(purple Mopar cam),carb, the better heads,intake,headers,hotter purple spark box.I was on my 3th yr in heavy E.T. with it and had bought a 440 to put in it for the next yr.I got so in-tune with the car that I was in the top 4 at 2 tracks each time I raced.A guy walked up and took over the payments,paid for the mods,and I sold it.Soooooo for all the time and win money while I had it,the costs was super low.But still I think to build a Mopar over a Chevy,the Mopar parts costs more.


So I suggest you get the BB k-member and do a 440 swap.The 727 tranny will bolt up and make your mod easier.It's a proven swap that has been done.

Hey Skidds, I had a 455 with 6x heads and a 068 cam that had tons of torque and put a 3700# car through the 1/4 at 13.52. Not bad for a stock engine and small gear. It was basically a stock engine. But I do agree with you...Too much $$$ and they don't like to rev.

Originally Posted by ChevyMommy

I am wondering if it is possible to put a Chevy Engine in a Dodge Dart, ?

Thank you!

Yes. but it will have to be installed backwards.

Russ

Thanks guys, i got ahold of someone, they said it is possible but will cost atleast $3000..
What do you all think? is it worth it? Will the chevy guys like it, or hate it as much as they do the mopar's? LOL

Im thinking about trying to find a 65-67 Nova, if i dont do the Dart.

I want something small, and cute.. since, well, thats ME! lol im only 4"11

i would leave the dart as is and go with the nova for a chevy. i think 4'11" is very cute. that is how tall my hubby is.

Smart move. If you had the Dart and for some reason had a great attachment to it and wanted to put a Chevy in there just for the experience of doing it, that would be one thing. However, to pay someone to do the swap and lay out $ 3K just doesn't make financial sense. It will decrease the value of the Dart, and you will always be answering people who ask you "why?"

I've put a lot of engines where they don't belong, so I am not opposed to swapping one out, but some things are best left alone, especially if you have to pay someone to do it for you.


Don

I already said...get a Nova!

I'm a Chevy guy, but if I had the choice of a Dart with a Chevy or a Mopar, I would take the one with the Mopar without even a thought.

Thanks everyone!
I was really thinking about doing it, because it is something different. I have got SO many mixed reviews between here and another forum, im more confused now then to start with! LOL

There is a guy at my local track runs an old Belvedere with a Chevy Big Block... the car is named "RATIFIED" and I think it is cool in part because it is unapologetically different. I don't think the Chevy guys will give you flack but the Mopar crowd will be a mixed bag.

If it makes you happy and you're willing to go through the effort I say more power to ya!

-Chris