Orion....RIGHT ON...now youre talking my lingo !! Good score on that 5.7 . Id love to see some pix of your Chally with the 5.7 swap. One of my Mopar mates down here runs a 500+cube/6 speed Hemi in his 70 Chally ragtop, looks like a factory resto....but isnt lol

I rn a strong 360 in an Aussie 71 VH Chrysler Charger....ran a best of 11.2 @ 121 mph. Should run tens when its dialled in.

But seriously guys...any engine can be modded to get the performance you desire from it...some engines are better candidates than others for souping up too. You just need to fix the deficiencies or design flaws of some and enhance their strengths...oh and throw enough money at it too. Oh, and some of us are more knowledgable or willing to spin a few wrenches than others....I actually enjoy the challenge and the satisfaction of driving a creation of mine....not one that came designed for the masses. I think I had my X fire for less than 2 weeks before it copped lowered springs, K&N's and a decent exhaust. Most cars from the factory look unbalanced....too much wheel weel gap, restricted to the max etc tec....they ALL built to a price for a MASS market. Although I do understand some guys love em as they are and thats OK.

But to do a retro small block swap, upgrade the brakes and add decent progressive springs/shox would make for a killer car....a loads cheaper than that Startech crap for 120K. A correctly set up and a genuine 450 HP in an Xfire ....with decent traction it could run the 1/4 mile in mid 11's at 115-120 mph, brake very well, handle just as well and make some clown in a mega $$$ euro exotica ride feel like they've just wasted 200 K.The secret?? Low weight, some hard work, reasonable cash outlay, and good planning will yield this result. And do it with the AC running too. If Im not mistaken, its one of the reasons why the Rustang is so popular Stateside.

And before I get flamed...Ive already been down the Euro path before....and although theyre nice rides, dollar for dollar, they dont stack up.

just my 0.02

Xfyred