Alright guys, I need your help on this. I have a 225 Slant Six in my 72 Dart Swinger. I'm still in high school with not so much money and an engine to work on. My grandparents helped me out with new upholstery and stereo system but now I've gotta take on the engine.

So I decided to keep the slant six in my car after reading through this forum for a while now even though my dad wants a 440 in here I still say no. Now for the questions.

I have a completely stock 225 /6 so what do I do with it? I want to get the best mpg I can while still bumpin up the horsepower. I was thinkin of starting off with fixing the cracked exhaust manifold and putting a Super Six 2 brrl Carb and Intake on it. Then I was caught between either Dutra Dual exhaust or headers. The problem with the Dutra Duals is that the rear part of the exhaust manifold being sawed and welded would look almost too homemade for my liking but headers are gonna end up leaking through the gaskets and not being able to start up on cold California days.

So what I'm asking is this:
Would a Super Six setup help out mpg and hp? Is that a good direction I should be going in?

What would you suggest as for the exhaust system? I don't have a ton of money but I want the most effective system there is.

Thanks for all your help. This forum has led me to love my Dart.
-jake

Hooray for keeping the slant!!
Other people can (and probably will) give you a bunch more information, but I think going the Super Six route is a good idea. I'm a broke college student and just about to put my setup in. The Super Six will give better mileage and increased hp, although how much depends on what else you're planning to do with it.
As for the exhaust, if I'm not mistaken, 2.25" single exhaust should be good for your car as far as power goes. Putting Dutra Duals on, while awesome, can get a little pricey. Not sure exactly what your budget is, but if you're mostly financing on your own, you may want to stick to the single exhaust for now.
Read through the forums, especially the engine forum, for more information and ideas..

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<i>D'Artagnan</i>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/stephaniexchaos/dart/th_IMG_0326_zpsumhhfxi0.jpg">

my supersix upgrade was one of the best upgrades ive done. even on the mileage. my valiant was such a dog with a one barrel. but to match that the disc brake upgrade was second on the list.
i would go for the gm hei too its easy to wire

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'72 Valiant DD for over a decade-225-Disc brakes, big T-bars, big Sway bars f/r, carter bbd/super six, GM HEI, 2- 12" subs in trunk, 1000w amp...
'77 cherokee cheif widetrack-360-33x12.5 tires-no lift. keeps driveway dry-project/backup DD/mudder

I forgot about the HEI... heh oops. Easy conversion. And I milled the head .100" good for some upped compression (what is it, 9.2:1?) but again, not too much.

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<i>D'Artagnan</i>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/stephaniexchaos/dart/th_IMG_0326_zpsumhhfxi0.jpg">

I have had headers(clifford shorties) on my slant for almost 5 years now. I have no trouble with cold weather starting, I don't even have a choke. As for headers leaking if you take your time, use good quality gaskets and DON'T over torque the bolts your headers will not leak, I haven't touched mine in 3 years.
If I were you I would start with a Super Six and GM HEI mods first. Both of these will yield you smoother operation and more power plus they are both cheep mods.

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One correction on the Dutra Duals. Doug has 2 castings one for the front AND one for the rear. Some people cut their old manifold and weld it to save money. However Doug does have the rear casting to make it look good and clean.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

I like Steph s comments.

My car is a Super 6 with 2.25 exhaust. Its easy to do....will give you the biggest bang for the buck.

Disc brakes are a really good idea. They go nicely with a front sway bar and better tires.

My car was originally a 9" drum brake 3 speed manual trans car.

The things that made the most improvement for the lowest buck were in order of value:

Distributor recurve and electronic ignition

Sway bar and shocks

Super 6 with a BBD and 2.25 exhaust

Disc brakes

Bigger tires

increased compression and cam

Bigger valves and bowl hog

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Thanks a lot for all the help so far guys!

So I've some to a decision about the Super Six and I'm gonna go ahead and get the setup. Now for the GM HEI... what is that? where can I get it? and what kinda performance am I getting? mpgs? or hps?

Thanks again for all your help!

General Motors High Energy Ignition, starting in the mid-70's, is actually a good electronic ignition for our cars. Here's a discussion.

You'll need a Chrysler electronic distributor from a later slant six, an HEI module, some connectors and wires. The best part, for me, was no longer having to adjust points.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Those are some great questions

I have not seen any posts yet of MPG or HP gains over the stock electronic ignition, orange box or chrome box, or any comparison testing.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

The only difference in these 'MP' applications is more rpm... the stock EI box might allow you to go up to about 5000rpm before not supporting the ignition needed to do the job, orange box was more (6000 rpm) and the chrome box was for all out racecar drivers (6-8000rpm), and I won't really comment on the 'super chrome' box...

HEI is just there to make sure you get enough spark consistently without worrying if the Standard Hygrade 'standard' Mopar EI box is going to support you revving the mill up to 6500...and have a module you can get at any parts store without waiting a few days for a 'good' one to come in...

-D.Idiot

Some more questions about the HEI.

If I'm using it as a daily driver am I really going to be going 6500 rpms a lot? Can it be found at Autozone or Napa? Is rpms all the HEI help? WHat is the cost range going to be? Do I need an adapter bracket or something? What EXACTLY do I ask for when I call a junkyard or autoparts store?

Thanks for the help, I probably sound like a novice, but I'm just getting started.

Don't forget the rpm ratings are for V8s, so a 6000rpm module for a V8 is good for 8000rpm on a 6........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

The electronic change over helps a lot in drivability & MPG, plus the power & RPM. It really is a must do & between it and the super six setup will tranform you slant. Then the 2 1/4 exhaust with it just makes i tthat much better. These three things should be dont before going any farther with the engine. The disk brakes are also a real nice upgrade that will allow you to enjoy the car much better, plus be safer with the new found power. And no, you want be turning 6500, atleast not yet.


What you need is a slant six electronic distributor, and a GM HEI module, plus some wire and the time to do it. You can look in the artical section and find a detialed desciption of how & what to use.


Jess

What year did they start using the electronic distributor on the slant? You might want to try the fuel line mod too.

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Ronnie
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2714941