You should check out a 351 Windsor when it isn't choked off with factory 80s-90s truck parts. It's the same kinda thing the 351 didnt come in any muscle cars after 1971 till the 1995 cobra r which made 300 horse 360 torque because it used the same heads and intake that were on the 5.0 cobras at the time which obviously isn't enough for the 351 so even it was kinda choked off and they only made 250 of them. So dodges 360 is similar it only came in trucks and stuff and was severely choked off from the factory just like the 351. He gained over 200 horses on a 351 with a stock bottom end just a top end kit (heads cam intake). This 360 dodge reminds me of that and the Dodges even sound similar to fords.
Those LA 360's are one of the most underrated engines out there. Carb, intake, headers, mild porting and cam of about 280 duration is enough to propel an A body into the high 11's.
RICK Metheny : Down here in the land of Oz, the 360 was a permant 245 hp gross 2bbl. We used to find them in big Chrysker by Chrysler long wheel base limos and some Charger Sportsmans. Its heaps more responsive to the right gear than the 318, and it copies the 340 4bbĺ and six pack if the same intake and head flow parts are added. Its actually better than the Cleveland 351 4v if the right head W2 style TransAm casting is used. When the Polyspheric 313 and other A engines got downgraded in 66-68 to the wedge head 273-318-340, Mopar then did some very special W2 Wedge heads, and used Fords NASCAR 366 Triple 2 bbl to test the 340 Six Pack heads. The 360 was ment to be the next big thing in NASCAR but the head castings on the 355 engines they used on the high speed oval track didn't have the 340 W2 upgrades. The politics of what happened in the 426 Hemi verses SOHC FE and the Semi Hemi 429 continued with the small block downgrade. The Gurney heads were gonna be the big upset but Mopar got pi55ed off by NASCAR again. The 360 is the best 350 Chev style engine with its grouped center Rams Horns style exhaust. The response to just porting heads and adding cam is huge...its basically LT1 1970 350 and 71 Boss 351C hp with those last mods but without the fuelie heads or Cleveland 4v castings. Proof of just what a low compression stock block 360 can do with a 4 inch bore and 3.58 inch stroke and those lovely long 6.123 inch conrods and stiff shaft rocker valve trains.
@@deanstevenson6527 they are a great engine, just too bad we didn't get many in Australia. My heads were cracked so I just used Edelbrock heads ,kbs and a Lunati voodoo cam and lifters. Thing makes my Ls look like a slug .
Yay, old school LA Mopar build! Low buck, too. Usually these shows go straight to the 408 stroker and aluminum heads. Those ain't in my budget. I'm encouraged that I can approach 400 hp with a flat tappet cam and iron heads! Plenty for my truck.
@Donell Muniz ... both Car Craft magazine & Hot Rod magazine built /modified a 318 & made 400h.p with a bunch of stock OEM parts... so u can definitely do it with a 360... It has a larger cylinder bore & stroke, compared to a 318 ...
@Waylon Miller ... I've owned two D150 Rams, an '87 & '89, both long beds... They are nice trucks... & I had a black 2000/ '01 model w/ the 5.9 Magnum V8
The Mopar 360 is often overlooked, and underappreciated. They are a good Torquey street engine. When mildly modified, they can more then hold their own. Great video.
Keep overlooking it !! Our motor sucked !!! Spent 90% of the time fixing problems . Yanked it out of our AWB chevyII street car and in went a 427 infront of the clutchflite !
@@theflyingscotsman9902 every Gm or Ford I've owned blew up but not a Mopar. Did 750,000 with a 318 and I tortured that car .sold the 318 to a bloke who put it in his truck and he called to ask why it goes so well. . Gm is like a cheap toy compared to the Chrysler stuff.
@@TheBukesde the 318 will make the same horsepower as the 360 will less torque, but the 318 will have to rev more to match that horsepower. That being said, the sound of a high revving 318 will send chills down your spine
@@somethinburnin exactly true mate, you know your stuff. The old 318 is a fantastic engine, I love my hot 360 but it's not hard to get a 318 to hammer.
When I was a kid, my dad and I were driving an old 15 passenger Dodge church van with a 2 barrel 318 in it full of people. We came to a stoplight at the bottom of a steep hill and of corse it turned red. He put in 1st manual and we got half way up the hill when the van slowed to a stop, gas pedal to the floor. I looked at my dad and said, “ it’s easier to pull something than to push it, go back down the hill and try it in reverse”. It crawled all the way to the top in reverse. Then we had to shut it off and pop the hood so it could cool down for half an hour. Lol.
That's hilarious! What a great story. Somethin tells me that 318 maybe wasnt running to its full potential tho lol Do u remember if it was relatively new still or low km on it, or old and worn?
nick it was pretty new. The engine and interior were still shiny. I think it was about a year old. The church had 3 of them and sold them after 4 or 5 years and bought 3 Chevy vans with 350 tbi engines in them. Still not a ton of power, but they had the 700r4 and 4:10 gears, so hauling 15 people and a trailer to summer camp was possible. Now they have a medium size motor coach. Much better!
I need to refresh. Miss working on V-8 engines, worked on diesels 35 yrs. Loved cars and pus. Grew up working on brothers cars, my cars, dads semis, trailers, tractors, etc.
That was very cool. That poor 360 was being choked out from the factory, it couldn’t breathe. As we all know a good set of heads would’ve made a massive difference. I really enjoyed that Richard. Keep up the excellent work. Cheers😊
The Edelbrock Quadrajet #1905 that you used is a 50-state street legal (C.A.R.B. E.O. #D-215-26) replacement carburetor for the Carter Thermo-Quad that came stock on 360, 400 and 440 Chrysler engines 1985 and earlier. It was the perfect carburetor for your combo with 795CFM and Chrysler throttle linkage and trans kick down. These carbs go for about $1,000.00 on eBay because they are the only game in town for those needing C.A.R.B compliance for emissions.
Airwolf1971 :Oh yes, a proper set up for unmatched part thrittle emissions and econmy is the metering rod Carter based Mech Sec carbs. The 360 was an in field angel engine...not a Big Block Silent Warrior. For potential, its the best small block. High port heads were an LA thing. Poor intake flow was sorted by the W2 heads. Any 360 ( or 340!) is a 9.22, 9.5 small block beater. Even better if it does so with Spreadbore. Mopar really did a lot of great emissions era work on that engine. Its a true sleeper. Only thing is getting the whole intake side to flow from valve back to the throttle blades.Working through the Metering rod 4bbls and intake manifolds to get Holley 4bbl 780 cfm performance is very difficult. You loose 25 hp with a fine atomising Edelbrock verses a good Vac Sec 4150. Everything else.... the rocker gear, block, crank, conrods, exhaust flow are all on the same page. The intake needs some Pontiac 400-455 Qjet style development work. Porting baby. Everything else was Engineering First..Chryslers Early Maxim!
Hell yeah. Love it. Can't wait for the magnum engine episode. Would absolutely love to see a magnum big bang engine. If I lived closer I'd give you one to do it with.
Watched the video TWICE and nowhere in it did you say "Added some ring gap and boosted it to 18 pounds". Richard you feelin ok? Maybe you got the 19? Great Video!
This is just great for me you did all this with the stock pistons, now I can build one of my 360 LA I have and go with the last modifications and have a nice street engine for my 76 dodge charger ....thank you for all the testing you do you really clear things up and save people money from buying parts that don't give the best bang for the buck.
Thank you so much. This is EXACTLY the information I needed. Not everyone is building a 10 second nitrous fed 1/4 mile monster. Some of us want real world, DAILY driven performance without spending $2,000 on a pair of cylinder heads.
Where was the turbo? Love the mopar small block stuff! Please run more mopar small block stuff!! I am betting that motor would make 700 no problem with boost
From Leo: Anytime you are over 400 ft pd of torque at normal operating RPM, you have a very good driving vehicle. I am impressed with that from a 360 Mopar in street trim. Thank you for your work
Back in my younger days 318s and 360s were plentiful and nobody wanted them. I spent years learning how to make them go ZOOM ZOOM on a budget. One trick I've kept to myself that I'll divulge: Grab a set of 273 or aftermarket adjustable rockers and use them with a Comp Cams 268H and custom pushrods. The lobe profile on the hydraulic cams are quite aggressive on the opening ramp and power gains are amazing. Lash caps helped a great deal in valve stem wear. I put my drag racing engine to Yuill Brothers dyno in Reno and was completely blown away by the numbers. 445HP at 4750 RPM and 425 Lbs Ft. at 3500-3600 RPM. Stock 70s small valve EGR heads ported etc, factory cast crank, Hooker Pro Comp headers and the 268H cam. Simply amazing!
Great. Video 8n the dodge 360. I had a 92 dakota with the Magnum 5.2 a.k.a 318. The mods on it. Mopar Performance Doug Thorley Tri-ys headers, jac8bs coil. The throddle body was worked on by Hennesey. 1.7 ratio rolloer rockers. Stock rockers were 1.6. Stock cam. Mopar Performance computer. That was a big change. One day at an 1/8 mile drag strip I compared the stock computer to the performance to see the difference. Stock comp 10.6 et Performce comp 9.5 et. It was a fun truck. 2500 stall converter 4:10 gears. My best time on a 1/4 mile track was a 15.054 backed up with a 15.055 at 92mph. I was a lot of races. I want to see you do a Magnum woth simular mods.
I’d love to see what that motor would make with an even hotter cam for example the comp magnum muscle 280 and the trickflow heads. Either way this was a great video and keep them coming
This was a fun video to watch, I rally enjoyed it! 40 years ago I was a huge LA engine fan and did up several from stock to fairly wild. At that time they all ran well for what they were....
Awesome vid Richard !! Thanks for taking the time to research and test these underappreciated engine combos. It really helps illustrate to everyone that performance V8 builds are not limited to only GM stuff. Well done.👍
@Bill Hickman they do crack, although on a street engine the small ports with good flow are a nice combination. With the money to convert to magnum heads though, I think most people would have been better off to go with aftermarket LA heads or use go all magnum.
I hate on Magnums because they went to inferior Chevy-type stud rockers, and, like Vortec SBs, you need a new manifold that you wont find for 75 bucks on Craigslist. And factory Magnum heads always crack between the valve seats. Mopar going from Mopar engineering to GM engineering is part of their decline.
@@donellmuniz590 they were in decline for a long time before that, a bigger contribution to their decline is the cost of all that "superior" engineering that gave the consumer zero benefit. Shaft mounted rockers are a largely theoretical benefit, while Chrysler being the bottom rung in build quality reliability and value are all very real issues.
@Bill Hickman anything that fits an la will fit a magnum, except heads and intake. those avenues have been opened too. ill take the magnum. better oiling, newer engine with better quality control, etc.
Love to see work like this where a stock 2-barrel motor is patiently taken step by step up the Performance Increase ladder. Well done sir! I'm with you, the smaller of the two cams was the better choice for street driving.
Heck ya!! I even watched the commercial for ya I was so happy!!!! Keep the dodge stuff coming. Like to see more testing on the gen 3 hemi stuff, intake manifold swaps, cam swaps, head work
Now it would be cool to see one of the "other guys" videos on an AMC-360. I swapped mine for a built 401 in my 1990 Grand Wagoneer vs doing the LS-Swap. The 401 being forged, larger, etc just made more sense for me but the 360's are much more easily found in the wild.
I built a AMC 360 for my wife's Grand Wagoneer. Punched it out .030, put on a Edelbrock intake and 600 CFM carb, a decent cam, Hedman mid length headers, MSD ignition box, Accel Accel yellow coil. That made the Wagoneer a real ball to drive. I regret selling that truck to this day.
AMC engines are far superior to almost any American made block because of the very high nickel content of the block and heads from 304 to 401 they are fantastic engines! You must do the oiling mods on a performance build however . I've had great luck with the 360/ 401 using the Holley 500 circle track carb and no other mods to double the mpg and grab another 50 hp all through the curve✌
@@razorrockman1286 you are absolutely correct. My engine builder that machined my 360 block told me that he could always tell the difference in boring a AMC block and a block from any of the Big Three brands.
Installing a camshaft makes a H-U-G-E difference on a Mopar smallblock v8: did such on the _360's EFI twin "The 5.9L Magnum"_ here & put in a Hughes SER0814ALN-14 "Steamroller" cam that has .523"/.533" lift with 208'/214' duration @.050" + LSA of 114" to keep it EFI friendly. Did some stainless shorty headers, roller rockers+catback dual exhaust=the SOP(seat-of-pants) dyno indicated a good investment in that 22 y.o. RAM 1500!
THANK-YOU for doing a Mopar and 360's are always looked over but very potent and reliable engines! Chrysler had a bunch of Mopar crate engines starting back in the 1990's-00's and they had several versions of the 360 all the way up to stroker 408c.i stroked out 360's!!! Finally the 360 is getting love/respect it deserves! I ran a few 360's and my buddy raced a 1968 360 Barrauda,thing ran mid 10's..and took 12 years of racing/abuse strip and track! Never blew up!
So 342 hp on a engine dyno turned to 255 hp to the wheels on this van because you gave us the before numbers and said you put the small cam back into it and gained a hundred horsepower before was 155 which would make sense I’m glad you did the last video about engine dyno and wheel hp my engine on paper put down 440 hp and when I went to get dynoed 350 hp
My LA360 is very similar to this. The difference is using Magnum motor headers, comp cams XE284H, 10.3:1 CR with flat pistons and upgraded rods, casting #308 heads with minor bowl work, opened up ports and 2.02 and 1.62 undercut valves. Stock rocker arms for now. And I have not broken the cam in yet, waiting to go through the chassis of my 74 D100 first
Nice, i have a 76 d100 basically the same build with flat top pistons and eddie heads (stock bottom end with a windage tray). Comes alive at 2k and pulls hard all the way through.
The car hobby started for me in the 70's. That's exactly how I remember those 360's. Each bolt on was a solid gain. Obvious increases with a few tenths in the quarter. Unlike some bolt ons today. Exhaust 5 hp, cold air, maybe a loss. Looking forward to the Magnum vid.
Man i wish someone would do this same exact video with a junkyard 318 2 barrel. Ya, 2 barrel 360's are fairly common. But, its almost impossible to not find an old 2 barrel 318. Would be awsome to see real data on small things like are cleaner, intake/carb swap, headers, on an LA318. This is a great video. It actually adressed real life scenario of a young kid playing with his cheap old dodge truck that he just bought. Please do a video with a 318. Thanks so much. Youve done a great job here.
I always liked the 268h, I ran one in my 2v Cleveland for years and it was a pretty basic engine, just a stock bottom end with 302c heads (over here in Aus we could get a 302c' the were just a destroked 351 with 6' rods and closed chamber 2v heads) a dual plane air gap and a little 2k stall and I ran high 13's in my customline (The stock manifolds and twin 2inch exhaust held it back a bit) and was great fun on the street, I also towed a lot with it, but it is a great little cam for a fun driver
Another great video. Back in the 80s we had a customer with a 360 Valiant. (Australia) It was a stock 2 barrel. Put an Edelbrock performer and 600 Holley, extractors (headers) and dual exhaust. This thing woke up and was a rocket. No limited slip and would smoke one tyre up past 60 mph lol. I would love to see you do a 302 Cleveland (the other guys!). These may be hard to find in the USA. We have 250,000 or more here. They were the same externally as the 351C but had a 3 inch stroke, closed chamber 2V heads and were 2 barrel from 72 to 76. From 76 to 83 they ran the Thermoquad from the factory. What we did with my Father’s car (originally a 302) was rebuild the engine and drop in the 351 crank and rods, run the 302 closed chamber heads, Edelbrock performer, 600 Holley and mild cam and good exhaust. It went really well. Easy 1 hp per inch engine.
Interesting that your video popped up. I'm in the middle of building my LA360 right now. I have some of the same parts as you but I went a little beyond with some KB Flat tops, Edelbrock aluminum heads and a retrofit comp roller cam (XR274HR-10). Mine won't get any Dyno time but it should work nice in my 84 D150 single cab short bed. Thanks for the video.
Great comparison video, definitely reflects what most people upgrade on their engine with actual dyno results. Well done Richard keep up the good work!
Thanks for doing an LA 360! I just got an 88 1 ton engine for my 78 D150. I plan on using stock heads and pistons for now. I have a Weiand dual plane intake and a Holley Street Dominator intake that came with the purchase. The Holley is square bore the Weiand is spread bore. I've been looking for ideas before I order any parts! Can't wait to see what else you do with it, especially on the cheap!
That was an excellent evaluation. A guy could look at your changes and pick and choose what he wants to do to his 360. My 1974 Sportsman van had the 360 2 bbl carb. When the exhaust rotted away, I installed large diameter pipes, dual mufflers and turned them out in front of the back tires. That really increased the feel of power. And the sound was awesome. I also switched to a low restriction air filter. It was not a drag racer but it really pulled well even with a full load of passengers and pulling a trailer with lots of camping gear.
This one was packed with info & data! One of the best videos yet. I can't wait for the Magnum video since there's one on my engine stand right now awaiting a carb & yet to be determined upgrades.
This is perfect, Dodge guy glad to see another one on here but I also have a near-stock 360 in a '72 D200 I've modded so far with a 4-bbl and intake. It was super useful to see how the next upgrades will work, I was surprised by the difference headers made with the stock cam.
People are waiting for a Magnum here... :) :P It would be niece if you could get Engine Quest heads tested too. Cheapest iron replacement for stock ones. And maybe port them too? Then do the same with Edelbrock aluminum heads. Finishing it of with Trick Flows would be a cherry on top :P
I'm loving the Mopar content, and love the idea of you doing some Trick Flow on magnum testing also (another RUclipsr made 500+ on an LA 360 with the TF heads). Next time ADD BOOST! Thanks for the great content, keep it up dude!
Sweetest non-Magnum is the roller-cam 360 with the "308" casting heads from '87-'92. A couple mods like you did and they are very impressive for '80's 'junk smogger' motors
Great video, please keep the mopar stuff coming! I just saw an old episode of Engine Masters and was happy to see you on it. Great energy and info keep it up much appreciated
Nice to see this. I recently got a 1974 Dodge Brougham RV. Has a 360 2bbl that is detuned. Been looking for some easy power ideas. Looks like 4bbl intake and carb, headers and exhaust. Adjust timing and it should move a little better.
I’m new to the older carburetor engines but am looking at a 87 van with a Chrysler 360 and would like to know more. Really appreciate your video how clearly you show the modifications and results.
Nice video! Especially since I’ve been doing the exact same mods on my 85 360 in my Ramcharger. I had the rotating assembly balanced and seems to really want to rev. It’s the rest of the ram which is holding it back.
Love the vid, Richard love MOPAR small blocks ! been working on them for 40 years, They are rugged, reliable, and easy to work on. go to NHRA stocker classes, these 360s are running high to mid 10s with oem intake, carb, no porting, cheater cam ...the most underated engine that I know of !
Hell yeah that's almost the same combo I had on my 73 dart swinger 318 I swapped in a 727 and 2000 stall but I was running the Holley street dominator intake 1" spacer 600 Edelbrock heddman headers with Accel ignition I was 17 when I put that car together talk about great memories
That was really informative! I have a 5.9L locally I'd put out there for y'all to use.. I bought it off an older dude in Hesperia.. His truck lost the trans so he parted it. 100k on the motor, stock everything. I loaded it in my 78 Tradesman for use in my 72 Tradesman or 67 valiant but it's just sat in storage. My only goal was to check it and make sure it's still good. No goals for big power or anything, just a good reliable and efficient motor.. Could bolt on whatever you like. I have an air gap for it that isn't installed yet. If it blows up, I'm out $700 worth of motor that's just been sitting anyway.. (I have two 340s a friend is making me a deal on so.. It might just sit anyway..) Anyway, huge thanks from a Dodge and Plymouth guy for the comprehensive layout.. When you're ready to do a slant six on there I'd be down! 😂 got a 170 I'm resurrecting in the 67 valiant and a running 225 in a 73 dartillac..
I'm a Ford guy who's mostly into big blocks, so I really appreciate Richard covering other engine platforms than the usual Chevy fare that everyone but Chevy guys are tired of. Chrysler is my second favorite just for the relative obscurity. Just wish they had more cool, affordable cars to run some of these LA or Magnum motors in. I'm just not motivated much by anything they built past 1973.
Had a 68 318, ran strong as hell for over 400,000 miles when I sold it to a friend in 1988, he is STILL driving the pickup he put it in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice, 75 block. If it has the 974 heads, they're just as good as 915s with 2.02/1.60s. should flow 240+ @.500 with a clean up and bowl blend and pushrod blend. Had a fairly similar setup with a Holley 750, true 10:1 after decking the heads and a slightly different cam and made a touch over 400hp. Great street engine.
I did about the same mods to a 318 with that cam and later model closed chamber heads and it ran pretty well. The smaller motor needed a little more converter however but revs to 6000 happily
I'm one of your dodge guys . I'm getting ready to build a modified LA 360 for my project 65 dodge dart street/strip. I will be running a Hueghes cam , buget friendly performance pistions , stick rods and crank all balanced, air gap intake attacked to mildly worked over mopar 302 heads with 2.02 valves, either an edelbrock or holley carb? , headmen shorty headers since there is only 5-10 go difference and because of engine to bay clearance, racing 904 automatic = 998 racing shift kit, 2800-3000 stall, dodge 8-3/4 with 3:55 sure grip . try adding a 1" open spacer on the intake. 😎🤘🇺🇸
I love to see proof old engines will make good power with a relatively mild build, nothing chapps my ass more than the forum experts that claim a SBC with smog heads Will b lucky to break 300hp... My old 350 is built almost exactly as a 350 that was built by popular hot rodding I think and it made 365hp and my 993s have more work and a bigger cam...iwhen I installed these budget aerohead smoggers 25 years ago I thought they made a good power increase and later I radiused the pocket and a full exhaust runner radius and Polish and full radiusing on intake runners and aerohead did a bowl port and s/s 2.02/1.60 valves and rocker studs when I bought them, has 9.:1 with cast flatops, original Eddie Torker with transdapt spreadbore adapter/2" spacer with recalibrated 800cfm Qjet, roller tip rockers and Howards 232° .480'" lift 108LS cam but yeah maaaaby 300hp.... Common.... I always figured it must make around 350+ because It has always run really strong for a mild build. I mean GMPP has a 290hp crate engine that's essentially a stock smogger 350 with Mild performance cam upgrade, a low rise performer style intake and 1 5/8" headers so ya know alot of these forum experts can be hardcore na sayers and alot preach expert knowledge about stuff they actually have ZERO experience with and are just regurgitating crap they have read or heard, like the long rods making big power increases debate...well Richard debunked that.... Sorry bout the long rant! 🙄
Thank you Richard great video , love the Dodge LA motor often over looked . But very responsive to modifications. Keep up the good work . Use to read magazines that you wrote for or was the editor for. Muscle Mustang and GM High Tech Performance .
Love the LA motor. I still have a couple 340 LA's. You're last cam setup is pretty close to what I ran in my street/strip car years ago. I used to estimate it at 375 HP. I got the chassis weight down to 2,800 lbs. and it ran 12.90's in the quarter at 113. I always liked the shaft rockers and the windage tray that came stock on the 340's. Probably the only "issue" with the LA motor is the angle of the pushrods versus the lifters having morphed from the poly motor.
I had a .40 over junkyard motor. It had a vacuum leak so it ate the #2 exhaust valve. Piston munched up the valve it ruined the head. Cylinder wall was pitted. Did a light hone on all the cylinders. Worked #2 within spec checking it with the ring gap. Installed cast iron Chevy rings on new flat top hypereutectic pistons. 252H Comp cam. Stock heads with a 5 angle valve job. Offenhauser 318 sized Dual Port intake with a 800cfm Thermoquad. 1979 B200 extended van. Everyday it grossed 5500-6500lbs hauling tools supplies and carpet/carpet pad. 727 with a 2200 no name converter. 3:21's. Probably has 180K since the rebuild. Sits in the driveway now. #2 would rock a little until on initial startup. Melling HV pump, factory 6.5qt oil pan. I ran a 85 Qjet off a 360 JY motor for a while. It seemed to get better mileage. Less VOOOOM than the TQ. I played with a Jacobs ignition on it for a while. When that system worked it really screamed! Never did try an MSD.
My brother had a short early dodge van with 318. Only mods when he bought it were a 4 barrel intake presumably from a 340 (perhaps ports didn't even match) and headers. That thing ran. It did like 85 in the quarter.
Built a very similar combo with a factory 340 aar cam. The power is great from 3000 up. But not practical for the truck we put it in. Then turned around an built the magnum version. Same basic heads but will fi. Gobs more power below 3000. But fuel economy is bad at best. The 360 is not known efficiencies. Now...take the leap and find a 340 with some massive stroker combos and tbose trick flkw heads. 440 ci magnum Motor with trick flow heads and dog house fi. You will have a new favorite work horse!
@@richardholdener1727 Richard thank you for your help.. and you bet I'll keep watching your videos even if it doesn't pertain to my vehicles.. I'll definitely spread the word amongst my buddies about your videos... Stay safe and stay healthy.
How about converting the LA engine to run the Magnum heads😊 that would be a good piece. I built an 80 maxivan . Pocket porting and back cut valves. Crane 290° cam. A stock spread bore intake, with the flat egr plug( came with a huge one originally) Q-jet rejetted and weaker power plunger spring. Drilled throttle valves to keep the idle transition good. Full advance at 35. 3500 stall converter and 355 gears... It was a bigass rocket😊
A bit of info from someone who has had several vans & pick-em-ups w/ the 360. If you use it to tow or haul heavy loads that low rpm torque value can be really useful. Ex: suppose you are pulling a heavy loaded trailer & need to do a standing start on a slight incline an engine w/ max torque starting at 2500 to 3000 rpm will give you some problems. Would need a high stall torque converter to get the job done. The 360 was originally designed as a truck engine.
What works well on the engine dyno is not always what works well on the street. I have found that the long tube headers tend to lean out the mixture and cause a spark knock even with an 800cfm Edelbrock carb. The reason you're making more power with headers is because you are leaning out the mixture and making it run hotter. But you'd better watch out.
follow his comp cams XE250 concept, you can mill the heads up to .040" (Probably stick with .030" , get a spring kit for your Distributor from 'FBO', but most importantly, swap your rear axle to numberically 3.21 gear or larger-and/or run smaller tires, 1 5/8" headers would give you 9lbs of torque across much of the curve of the RPM range
An extra 100 hp at the ground is nice - especially when you're going from 150 to 250! I'd sure like to know what that feels like, especially since my daily driver (which has never been on a chassis dyno) probably puts a mere 90-95 hp to the ground from what I've heard....
Nice that you showed the stuff that worked and smart enough to downgrade the cam when you put it back in the van. If you had put headers out the hood you could have gained 1000 hp (lol) plus have built in defrosters!
You make the most awesome videos ever, I am getting ready to build a 360 small block for my Dodge pick up, this information was awesome to take in, it helps me to know that the modifications I am going to make are very well worth it, currently I’m porting heads for my 318 small block and put some long tube headers on it plus a four barrel intake and carb, I have no idea how much I’ll gain out of that but I’m sure I’ll feel a difference, then I’ll build the 360 bottom up, Thank you for making your videos I love them
97 k viewers Richard Holdener! Uncle Tonys Garage accidentaly sent me back here to revisit what I saw 2 months ago.I'm back to check in! I had GM and Mopar cars early. Fords later. The down graded to Wedge A series 68 to 93? LA is an intake restricted engine with everything else just perfect...even the side by side exhaust valve sequences doesn't really hamper it in any way...much like the RB and SBC Gen 1 its key design elements were re-copied from. So again it is an 1970 LT-1 for power and torque, but there is so much more Mopar hiding in there!
I had a '74 ramcharger that had a 360 in it with the factory cast iron 4 barrel intake on it....I had bought the truck for $300 because it had no reverse.....the motor looked %100 stock but I know someone had been in there and switched the cam or bumped the compression up....that thing was a beast and would literally almost lift the front wheels when you would floor it up a hill......no way the motor was factory sealed....man I miss that truck with its full convertible top......I need to find another one or a k-5
Had a 78 360 in a dodge van did the same rv grind ported heads thermoquad with Buick dual snorkel cold air cleaner stock exhaust manifolds 3 inch exhaust it was 305 hp with 400 lbs feet torque towing big race car trailers long hills second gear at 5800 rpm it would get a great resonance in the air cleaner that would vibrate the engine cover.
As a 20 years SBM huge fan, I can say that Magnums are also great. There are plenty of them all around and indeed you should maybe do a dynotest on one. Starting from a stock 5.9 and doing mods keeping EFI, not carb. Thanks.
I was thrilled to see this video. I have a complete 81 360 “LA” that I intend on pushing to the limit while I search for a stout aftermarket block. I am curious though on how far I can go with the factory block. I’ve purchased a set of the Edelbrock 61729 Victor heads and I intend on using the 426 stroker kit from Hughes Engines with the dish pistons, and a healthy solid roller cam. This setup will be going into a 69 A body I’ve had for 30+ years. A 4spd is planned for the stock block build. Keep the great videos coming, they’re all great 👍
some interesting meat in here for old RV owners... the increase in low end torque, and though not mentioned gas mileage improvement with a 4 barrel, and the headers, are cheap and easy to do. The RV cam, not as easy but if doing an overhaul, probably worth while. sadly no mention of ignition system improvements... or test to show what they might or might not do.
It is too bad that Edelbrock quit making the aftermarket Q-Jets. they were great carburetors. I used a Performer RPM Q-jet on a mild street build I did back in the day. I tried rebuilding the factory carb, and even bought a new auto-parts store QJet, trying to get one that worked, I was going to install an intake and a Holley, but the guy at the local speed shop showed me the Edelbrock Qjets that had just came out. I gave it a shot, and It was one of the best performing carbs I have ever ran. it worked perfectly right out of the box and never gave me a minutes trouble. I wish I had taken it of the car after it got ran in to and total by my neighbor.
Richard please don't ever stop making videos. You're a one-of-a-kind national treasure. #thumbsup
thnx
9p🎉🎉😢ppp🎉🎉p I 9p🎉90😊 0:45 0:45
Hell, I'm not even a "Dodge guy" and this was a nice change of pace.
@@OCofthe3 Mopar
I AM a Dodge guy, and poor as turd soup, and I was delighted with it! Right in my impoverished, rusty wheel house!
The LS swap has even been done by Grandma at this point. We need modern hemi swaps.
@@jasonwcoleman250 they are expensive, and the hemis in junkyards are the ones with cam and lifter/valve seat issues.
@@jasonwcoleman250 no thanks. Modern=computers, so no old school (screw drivers etc).
Love big block torque in a small block. Guess that’s why I’m such a big fan of mopar
And 350 Chevys don't make similar torque for the hp level? I still like the Mopars too though.
You should check out a 351 Windsor when it isn't choked off with factory 80s-90s truck parts. It's the same kinda thing the 351 didnt come in any muscle cars after 1971 till the 1995 cobra r which made 300 horse 360 torque because it used the same heads and intake that were on the 5.0 cobras at the time which obviously isn't enough for the 351 so even it was kinda choked off and they only made 250 of them. So dodges 360 is similar it only came in trucks and stuff and was severely choked off from the factory just like the 351. He gained over 200 horses on a 351 with a stock bottom end just a top end kit (heads cam intake). This 360 dodge reminds me of that and the Dodges even sound similar to fords.
It's the stock rod length that gives mopar the early torque edge just my opinion 😉
Those LA 360's are one of the most underrated engines out there. Carb, intake, headers, mild porting and cam of about 280 duration is enough to propel an A body into the high 11's.
if thats all it takes, then my cheapo ass 400 should be just fine.
Yeah, I mean if you dump $1200 in any engine I think youll make good gains
@@NightWrencher It takes a whole lot less than 1200 bucks to make a nice 360. And no not every engine will be fast after $1200.
RICK Metheny : Down here in the land of Oz, the 360 was a permant 245 hp gross 2bbl. We used to find them in big Chrysker by Chrysler long wheel base limos and some Charger Sportsmans. Its heaps more responsive to the right gear than the 318, and it copies the 340 4bbĺ and six pack if the same intake and head flow parts are added. Its actually better than the Cleveland 351 4v if the right head W2 style TransAm casting is used. When the Polyspheric 313 and other A engines got downgraded in 66-68 to the wedge head 273-318-340, Mopar then did some very special W2 Wedge heads, and used Fords NASCAR 366 Triple 2 bbl to test the 340 Six Pack heads. The 360 was ment to be the next big thing in NASCAR but the head castings on the 355 engines they used on the high speed oval track didn't have the 340 W2 upgrades. The politics of what happened in the 426 Hemi verses SOHC FE and the Semi Hemi 429 continued with the small block downgrade. The Gurney heads were gonna be the big upset but Mopar got pi55ed off by NASCAR again. The 360 is the best 350 Chev style engine with its grouped center Rams Horns style exhaust. The response to just porting heads and adding cam is huge...its basically LT1 1970 350 and 71 Boss 351C hp with those last mods but without the fuelie heads or Cleveland 4v castings. Proof of just what a low compression stock block 360 can do with a 4 inch bore and 3.58 inch stroke and those lovely long 6.123 inch conrods and stiff shaft rocker valve trains.
@@deanstevenson6527 they are a great engine, just too bad we didn't get many in Australia. My heads were cracked so I just used Edelbrock heads ,kbs and a Lunati voodoo cam and lifters. Thing makes my Ls look like a slug .
Yay, old school LA Mopar build! Low buck, too. Usually these shows go straight to the 408 stroker and aluminum heads. Those ain't in my budget. I'm encouraged that I can approach 400 hp with a flat tappet cam and iron heads! Plenty for my truck.
You can easily push past 400 hp with a 360
@Donell Muniz ... both Car Craft magazine & Hot Rod magazine built /modified a 318 & made 400h.p with a bunch of stock OEM parts... so u can definitely do it with a 360... It has a larger cylinder bore & stroke, compared to a 318 ...
@Waylon Miller ... I've owned two D150 Rams, an '87 & '89, both long beds... They are nice trucks... & I had a black 2000/ '01 model w/ the 5.9 Magnum V8
Its not low buck ! We did it and nothing but problems !!!
The Mopar 360 is often overlooked, and underappreciated. They are a good Torquey street engine. When mildly modified, they can more then hold their own. Great video.
John Ringel they need aftermarket why cant it have as much as a Small Block Ford nowadays they mopar has a decent tunning scene
Keep overlooking it !!
Our motor sucked !!!
Spent 90% of the time fixing problems .
Yanked it out of our AWB chevyII street car and in went a 427 infront of the clutchflite !
@@theflyingscotsman9902 uh, what? you had a dodge 360 in a chevy2? lol. thats an insult to the 360
@@OxBlitzkriegxO No shit, I have run these engines for over 40 years.... The scot needs a different hobby
@@theflyingscotsman9902 every Gm or Ford I've owned blew up but not a Mopar. Did 750,000 with a 318 and I tortured that car .sold the 318 to a bloke who put it in his truck and he called to ask why it goes so well. . Gm is like a cheap toy compared to the Chrysler stuff.
Dodge guy says LIKE! And yeah, looking forward to the Trickflows on a Magnum or an LA!
Dude watch my dyno vid! With trickflows made 530 on a 360!
@@SimpsonsSpeedShop Oh yeah! thank you for the heads up I will go watch your video since I have more the a few 360 la blocks laying around.
that's big power from a 360
SimpsonsSpeedShop Where?
Ron G, ruclips.net/video/fsUY-lZ9Cjc/видео.html
I’d love to see a 318 done this same way.
Probably all most same hp but weaker torque curve
@@TheBukesde the 318 will make the same horsepower as the 360 will less torque, but the 318 will have to rev more to match that horsepower. That being said, the sound of a high revving 318 will send chills down your spine
318 shares bottom end components with 340. Only a bore difference. 318 gets allot of bad publicity.
How about a 318 stroker?
@@somethinburnin exactly true mate, you know your stuff. The old 318 is a fantastic engine, I love my hot 360 but it's not hard to get a 318 to hammer.
When I was a kid, my dad and I were driving an old 15 passenger Dodge church van with a 2 barrel 318 in it full of people. We came to a stoplight at the bottom of a steep hill and of corse it turned red. He put in 1st manual and we got half way up the hill when the van slowed to a stop, gas pedal to the floor. I looked at my dad and said, “ it’s easier to pull something than to push it, go back down the hill and try it in reverse”. It crawled all the way to the top in reverse. Then we had to shut it off and pop the hood so it could cool down for half an hour. Lol.
That's hilarious! What a great story. Somethin tells me that 318 maybe wasnt running to its full potential tho lol
Do u remember if it was relatively new still or low km on it, or old and worn?
nick it was pretty new. The engine and interior were still shiny. I think it was about a year old. The church had 3 of them and sold them after 4 or 5 years and bought 3 Chevy vans with 350 tbi engines in them. Still not a ton of power, but they had the 700r4 and 4:10 gears, so hauling 15 people and a trailer to summer camp was possible. Now they have a medium size motor coach. Much better!
I need to refresh. Miss working on V-8 engines, worked on diesels 35 yrs. Loved cars and pus. Grew up working on brothers cars, my cars, dads semis, trailers, tractors, etc.
That was very cool. That poor 360 was being choked out from the factory, it couldn’t breathe. As we all know a good set of heads would’ve made a massive difference. I really enjoyed that Richard.
Keep up the excellent work.
Cheers😊
The Edelbrock Quadrajet #1905 that you used is a 50-state street legal (C.A.R.B. E.O. #D-215-26) replacement carburetor for the Carter Thermo-Quad that came stock on 360, 400 and 440 Chrysler engines 1985 and earlier. It was the perfect carburetor for your combo with 795CFM and Chrysler throttle linkage and trans kick down. These carbs go for about $1,000.00 on eBay because they are the only game in town for those needing C.A.R.B compliance for emissions.
Airwolf1971 :Oh yes, a proper set up for unmatched part thrittle emissions and econmy is the metering rod Carter based Mech Sec carbs. The 360 was an in field angel engine...not a Big Block Silent Warrior. For potential, its the best small block. High port heads were an LA thing. Poor intake flow was sorted by the W2 heads. Any 360 ( or 340!) is a 9.22, 9.5 small block beater. Even better if it does so with Spreadbore. Mopar really did a lot of great emissions era work on that engine. Its a true sleeper. Only thing is getting the whole intake side to flow from valve back to the throttle blades.Working through the Metering rod 4bbls and intake manifolds to get Holley 4bbl 780 cfm performance is very difficult. You loose 25 hp with a fine atomising Edelbrock verses a good Vac Sec 4150. Everything else.... the rocker gear, block, crank, conrods, exhaust flow are all on the same page. The intake needs some Pontiac 400-455 Qjet style development work. Porting baby. Everything else was Engineering First..Chryslers Early Maxim!
Back when I bought one for my 79 Power Wagon, there was a 650 Holley too, but the speed shop said it was junk. I think I paid about $700 for it.
Magnum and BOOST, Let's go!
China head to Trick flow comparo too. Heck, even a China to stock would be good.
Which China head?
That’s a comparo is like to see
It’s about time dodge got some more love, holy smokes they really choked them down from the factory
please have a seat right there
Hell yeah. Love it. Can't wait for the magnum engine episode. Would absolutely love to see a magnum big bang engine. If I lived closer I'd give you one to do it with.
nick wheaton Totally agree!!!!! Magnum Big Bang!!!!!!
Watched the video TWICE and nowhere in it did you say "Added some ring gap and boosted it to 18 pounds". Richard you feelin ok? Maybe you got the 19? Great Video!
This is just great for me you did all this with the stock pistons, now I can build one of my 360 LA I have and go with the last modifications and have a nice street engine for my 76 dodge charger ....thank you for all the testing you do you really clear things up and save people money from buying parts that don't give the best bang for the buck.
happy to help
Thank you so much. This is EXACTLY the information I needed. Not everyone is building a 10 second nitrous fed 1/4 mile monster. Some of us want real world, DAILY driven performance without spending $2,000 on a pair of cylinder heads.
Well, those heads Had to be machined to allow that valve lift and different springs ....That ain't exactly cheap....
Where was the turbo? Love the mopar small block stuff! Please run more mopar small block stuff!! I am betting that motor would make 700 no problem with boost
Not bad considering it was still a low compression motor with factory heads, and even the hotter cam was pretty mild.
Lil red express used a 360
@@MrTheHillfolk beat the Corvette by a whole second in the 1/4 at that.
@@405bikelifeallin5 😮
From Leo: Anytime you are over 400 ft pd of torque at normal operating RPM, you have a very good driving vehicle. I am impressed with that from a 360 Mopar in street trim. Thank you for your work
1.2 lb-ft per cubic inch is a good street motor
Back in my younger days 318s and 360s were plentiful and nobody wanted them. I spent years learning how to make them go ZOOM ZOOM on a budget.
One trick I've kept to myself that I'll divulge:
Grab a set of 273 or aftermarket adjustable rockers and use them with a Comp Cams 268H and custom pushrods. The lobe profile on the hydraulic cams are quite aggressive on the opening ramp and power gains are amazing. Lash caps helped a great deal in valve stem wear.
I put my drag racing engine to Yuill Brothers dyno in Reno and was completely blown away by the numbers.
445HP at 4750 RPM and 425 Lbs Ft. at 3500-3600 RPM.
Stock 70s small valve EGR heads ported etc, factory cast crank, Hooker Pro Comp headers and the 268H cam.
Simply amazing!
Great. Video 8n the dodge 360. I had a 92 dakota with the Magnum 5.2 a.k.a 318. The mods on it. Mopar Performance Doug Thorley Tri-ys headers, jac8bs coil. The throddle body was worked on by Hennesey. 1.7 ratio rolloer rockers. Stock rockers were 1.6. Stock cam. Mopar Performance computer. That was a big change. One day at an 1/8 mile drag strip I compared the stock computer to the performance to see the difference. Stock comp 10.6 et Performce comp 9.5 et. It was a fun truck. 2500 stall converter 4:10 gears. My best time on a 1/4 mile track was a 15.054 backed up with a 15.055 at 92mph. I was a lot of races. I want to see you do a Magnum woth simular mods.
My cousin had a Dakota with the 360 or 5.9 it was a blast!
I’d love to see what that motor would make with an even hotter cam for example the comp magnum muscle 280 and the trickflow heads. Either way this was a great video and keep them coming
Great suggestion!
Definitely like to see that ... planing an LA build for fall.
This was a fun video to watch, I rally enjoyed it!
40 years ago I was a huge LA engine fan and did up several from stock to fairly wild.
At that time they all ran well for what they were....
Awesome vid Richard !! Thanks for taking the time to research and test these underappreciated engine combos. It really helps illustrate to everyone that performance V8 builds are not limited to only GM stuff. Well done.👍
Don't know many people who hate on magnums. It's been common for a long time to swap magnum heads on LA engine ever since they were new.
@Bill Hickman they do crack, although on a street engine the small ports with good flow are a nice combination. With the money to convert to magnum heads though, I think most people would have been better off to go with aftermarket LA heads or use go all magnum.
I hate on Magnums because they went to inferior Chevy-type stud rockers, and, like Vortec SBs, you need a new manifold that you wont find for 75 bucks on Craigslist. And factory Magnum heads always crack between the valve seats. Mopar going from Mopar engineering to GM engineering is part of their decline.
@@donellmuniz590 they were in decline for a long time before that, a bigger contribution to their decline is the cost of all that "superior" engineering that gave the consumer zero benefit.
Shaft mounted rockers are a largely theoretical benefit, while Chrysler being the bottom rung in build quality reliability and value are all very real issues.
@@donellmuniz590 there was absolutley NO REASON to use shaft mounted rockers on a street engined car.
@Bill Hickman anything that fits an la will fit a magnum, except heads and intake. those avenues have been opened too. ill take the magnum. better oiling, newer engine with better quality control, etc.
Love to see work like this where a stock 2-barrel motor is patiently taken step by step up the Performance Increase ladder. Well done sir! I'm with you, the smaller of the two cams was the better choice for street driving.
Finally, someone publishes Useful information for the guy that wants to keep his equipment Usable... Thanks !
Heck ya!! I even watched the commercial for ya I was so happy!!!! Keep the dodge stuff coming. Like to see more testing on the gen 3 hemi stuff, intake manifold swaps, cam swaps, head work
Now it would be cool to see one of the "other guys" videos on an AMC-360. I swapped mine for a built 401 in my 1990 Grand Wagoneer vs doing the LS-Swap. The 401 being forged, larger, etc just made more sense for me but the 360's are much more easily found in the wild.
My nieghbor has a 11:1...390 in his amx.....thing sounds mean!!! Are amx and amc the same??
@@trentdawg2832 AMC, American Motors Corporation is the company. AMX, American Motors E(X)perimental was the car model.
I built a AMC 360 for my wife's Grand Wagoneer. Punched it out
.030, put on a Edelbrock intake and 600 CFM carb, a decent cam, Hedman mid length headers, MSD ignition box, Accel Accel yellow coil. That made the Wagoneer a real ball to drive. I regret selling that truck to this day.
AMC engines are far superior to almost any American made block because of the very high nickel content of the block and heads from 304 to 401 they are fantastic engines! You must do the oiling mods on a performance build however . I've had great luck with the 360/ 401 using the Holley 500 circle track carb and no other mods to double the mpg and grab another 50 hp all through the curve✌
@@razorrockman1286 you are absolutely correct. My engine builder that machined my 360 block told me that he could always tell the difference in boring a AMC block and a block from any of the Big Three brands.
Installing a camshaft makes a H-U-G-E difference on a Mopar smallblock v8: did such on the _360's EFI twin "The 5.9L Magnum"_ here & put in a Hughes SER0814ALN-14 "Steamroller" cam that has .523"/.533" lift with 208'/214' duration @.050" + LSA of 114" to keep it EFI friendly. Did some stainless shorty headers, roller rockers+catback dual exhaust=the SOP(seat-of-pants) dyno indicated a good investment in that 22 y.o. RAM 1500!
THANK-YOU for doing a Mopar and 360's are always looked over but very potent and reliable engines!
Chrysler had a bunch of Mopar crate engines starting back in the 1990's-00's and they had several versions of the 360 all the way up to stroker 408c.i stroked out 360's!!!
Finally the 360 is getting love/respect it deserves!
I ran a few 360's and my buddy raced a 1968 360 Barrauda,thing ran mid 10's..and took 12 years of racing/abuse strip and track! Never blew up!
So 342 hp on a engine dyno turned to 255 hp to the wheels on this van because you gave us the before numbers and said you put the small cam back into it and gained a hundred horsepower before was 155 which would make sense I’m glad you did the last video about engine dyno and wheel hp my engine on paper put down 440 hp and when I went to get dynoed 350 hp
was the 360 in the van on the dyno built then?
My LA360 is very similar to this. The difference is using Magnum motor headers, comp cams XE284H, 10.3:1 CR with flat pistons and upgraded rods, casting #308 heads with minor bowl work, opened up ports and 2.02 and 1.62 undercut valves. Stock rocker arms for now. And I have not broken the cam in yet, waiting to go through the chassis of my 74 D100 first
Nice, i have a 76 d100 basically the same build with flat top pistons and eddie heads (stock bottom end with a windage tray). Comes alive at 2k and pulls hard all the way through.
The car hobby started for me in the 70's. That's exactly how I remember those 360's. Each bolt on was a solid gain. Obvious increases with a few tenths in the quarter.
Unlike some bolt ons today. Exhaust 5 hp, cold air, maybe a loss. Looking forward to the Magnum vid.
Man i wish someone would do this same exact video with a junkyard 318 2 barrel. Ya, 2 barrel 360's are fairly common. But, its almost impossible to not find an old 2 barrel 318. Would be awsome to see real data on small things like are cleaner, intake/carb swap, headers, on an LA318. This is a great video. It actually adressed real life scenario of a young kid playing with his cheap old dodge truck that he just bought. Please do a video with a 318. Thanks so much. Youve done a great job here.
I always liked the 268h, I ran one in my 2v Cleveland for years and it was a pretty basic engine, just a stock bottom end with 302c heads (over here in Aus we could get a 302c' the were just a destroked 351 with 6' rods and closed chamber 2v heads) a dual plane air gap and a little 2k stall and I ran high 13's in my customline (The stock manifolds and twin 2inch exhaust held it back a bit) and was great fun on the street, I also towed a lot with it, but it is a great little cam for a fun driver
Another great video. Back in the 80s we had a customer with a 360 Valiant. (Australia) It was a stock 2 barrel. Put an Edelbrock performer and 600 Holley, extractors (headers) and dual exhaust. This thing woke up and was a rocket. No limited slip and would smoke one tyre up past 60 mph lol.
I would love to see you do a 302 Cleveland (the other guys!). These may be hard to find in the USA. We have 250,000 or more here. They were the same externally as the 351C but had a 3 inch stroke, closed chamber 2V heads and were 2 barrel from 72 to 76. From 76 to 83 they ran the Thermoquad from the factory.
What we did with my Father’s car (originally a 302) was rebuild the engine and drop in the 351 crank and rods, run the 302 closed chamber heads, Edelbrock performer, 600 Holley and mild cam and good exhaust. It went really well. Easy 1 hp per inch engine.
I did a Boss 302-probably similar
This is what I have been looking for. Thank you 😊
Interesting that your video popped up. I'm in the middle of building my LA360 right now. I have some of the same parts as you but I went a little beyond with some KB Flat tops, Edelbrock aluminum heads and a retrofit comp roller cam (XR274HR-10). Mine won't get any Dyno time but it should work nice in my 84 D150 single cab short bed.
Thanks for the video.
Great comparison video, definitely reflects what most people upgrade on their engine with actual dyno results. Well done Richard keep up the good work!
Love the SB Mopar video, great job overlaying all the back-to-back changes!
Great dyno comparison to show what small block mopars can do with minor bolt ons. Awesome, Thanks Richard
Thanks for doing an LA 360! I just got an 88 1 ton engine for my 78 D150. I plan on using stock heads and pistons for now. I have a Weiand dual plane intake and a Holley Street Dominator intake that came with the purchase. The Holley is square bore the Weiand is spread bore. I've been looking for ideas before I order any parts! Can't wait to see what else you do with it, especially on the cheap!
That was an excellent evaluation. A guy could look at your changes and pick and choose what he wants to do to his 360.
My 1974 Sportsman van had the 360 2 bbl carb. When the exhaust rotted away, I installed large diameter pipes, dual mufflers and turned them out in front of the back tires. That really increased the feel of power. And the sound was awesome. I also switched to a low restriction air filter. It was not a drag racer but it really pulled well even with a full load of passengers and pulling a trailer with lots of camping gear.
This helps me a lot! I just got a 78 3/4 ton pickup, that a friend gave me. Thanks for showing me what really works, so I can apply it to my truck.
This one was packed with info & data! One of the best videos yet. I can't wait for the Magnum video since there's one on my engine stand right now awaiting a carb & yet to be determined upgrades.
This is perfect, Dodge guy glad to see another one on here but I also have a near-stock 360 in a '72 D200 I've modded so far with a 4-bbl and intake. It was super useful to see how the next upgrades will work, I was surprised by the difference headers made with the stock cam.
People are waiting for a Magnum here... :) :P It would be niece if you could get Engine Quest heads tested too. Cheapest iron replacement for stock ones. And maybe port them too? Then do the same with Edelbrock aluminum heads. Finishing it of with Trick Flows would be a cherry on top :P
we ran edelbrocks on this too
@@richardholdener1727 But Magnum is coming? Pretty please? :)
Yeaaahhhhhhhhh 360 thanks for listening to our requests!!!!!!
I'm loving the Mopar content, and love the idea of you doing some Trick Flow on magnum testing also (another RUclipsr made 500+ on an LA 360 with the TF heads). Next time ADD BOOST! Thanks for the great content, keep it up dude!
I am glad I am not the only one who despises the mechanical fan “woosh”
IT WAS LOUD
I find a lot of aftermarket electric fans very noisy.
Sweetest non-Magnum is the roller-cam 360 with the "308" casting heads from '87-'92. A couple mods like you did and they are very impressive for '80's 'junk smogger' motors
Great video, please keep the mopar stuff coming! I just saw an old episode of Engine Masters and was happy to see you on it. Great energy and info keep it up much appreciated
More Mopar stuff mate! G’day from Australia!!!
Nice to see this. I recently got a 1974 Dodge Brougham RV. Has a 360 2bbl that is detuned. Been looking for some easy power ideas. Looks like 4bbl intake and carb, headers and exhaust. Adjust timing and it should move a little better.
I’m new to the older carburetor engines but am looking at a 87 van with a Chrysler 360 and would like to know more. Really appreciate your video how clearly you show the modifications and results.
Awesome. Backs up every build theory I've ever done on a 318/360. Now GT45 @ 7/10/12/14/28psi a 318/360 for us.
don't the little GT45 would support 28 psi-maybe not even 14 psi
Nobody thinks a SBE 318 will survive above 600hp
Your own math suggests
785/hp 900ftlbs is easily achievable at 14psi
Your content is THE BEST.
Nice video! Especially since I’ve been doing the exact same mods on my 85 360 in my Ramcharger. I had the rotating assembly balanced and seems to really want to rev. It’s the rest of the ram which is holding it back.
Love the vid, Richard love MOPAR small blocks ! been working on them for 40 years, They are rugged, reliable, and easy to work on. go to NHRA stocker classes, these 360s are running high to mid 10s with oem intake, carb, no porting, cheater cam ...the most underated engine that I know of !
Cheater cam?
Hell yeah that's almost the same combo I had on my 73 dart swinger 318 I swapped in a 727 and 2000 stall but I was running the Holley street dominator intake 1" spacer 600 Edelbrock heddman headers with Accel ignition I was 17 when I put that car together talk about great memories
That was really informative! I have a 5.9L locally I'd put out there for y'all to use.. I bought it off an older dude in Hesperia.. His truck lost the trans so he parted it. 100k on the motor, stock everything. I loaded it in my 78 Tradesman for use in my 72 Tradesman or 67 valiant but it's just sat in storage. My only goal was to check it and make sure it's still good. No goals for big power or anything, just a good reliable and efficient motor.. Could bolt on whatever you like. I have an air gap for it that isn't installed yet. If it blows up, I'm out $700 worth of motor that's just been sitting anyway.. (I have two 340s a friend is making me a deal on so.. It might just sit anyway..) Anyway, huge thanks from a Dodge and Plymouth guy for the comprehensive layout.. When you're ready to do a slant six on there I'd be down! 😂 got a 170 I'm resurrecting in the 67 valiant and a running 225 in a 73 dartillac..
I'm a Ford guy who's mostly into big blocks, so I really appreciate Richard covering other engine platforms than the usual Chevy fare that everyone but Chevy guys are tired of. Chrysler is my second favorite just for the relative obscurity. Just wish they had more cool, affordable cars to run some of these LA or Magnum motors in. I'm just not motivated much by anything they built past 1973.
Had a 68 318, ran strong as hell for over 400,000 miles when I sold it to a friend in 1988, he is STILL driving the pickup he put it in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice, 75 block. If it has the 974 heads, they're just as good as 915s with 2.02/1.60s. should flow 240+ @.500 with a clean up and bowl blend and pushrod blend.
Had a fairly similar setup with a Holley 750, true 10:1 after decking the heads and a slightly different cam and made a touch over 400hp. Great street engine.
I did about the same mods to a 318 with that cam and later model closed chamber heads and it ran pretty well. The smaller motor needed a little more converter however but revs to 6000 happily
I built up a ‘72 for my 1967 D-200. Used J heads and a CompCams HE-264 cam. Great running engine!!
I'm one of your dodge guys . I'm getting ready to build a modified LA 360 for my project 65 dodge dart street/strip. I will be running a Hueghes cam , buget friendly performance pistions , stick rods and crank all balanced, air gap intake attacked to mildly worked over mopar 302 heads with 2.02 valves, either an edelbrock or holley carb? , headmen shorty headers since there is only 5-10 go difference and because of engine to bay clearance, racing 904 automatic = 998 racing shift kit, 2800-3000 stall, dodge 8-3/4 with 3:55 sure grip . try adding a 1" open spacer on the intake. 😎🤘🇺🇸
I built a mild 318 LA that made 314 on the engine dyno. I have it in a 87 Dakota with a 46RH trans and an 8.8 Ford with 3.55 gears.
I love to see proof old engines will make good power with a relatively mild build, nothing chapps my ass more than the forum experts that claim a SBC with smog heads Will b lucky to break 300hp... My old 350 is built almost exactly as a 350 that was built by popular hot rodding I think and it made 365hp and my 993s have more work and a bigger cam...iwhen I installed these budget aerohead smoggers 25 years ago I thought they made a good power increase and later I radiused the pocket and a full exhaust runner radius and Polish and full radiusing on intake runners and aerohead did a bowl port and s/s 2.02/1.60 valves and rocker studs when I bought them, has 9.:1 with cast flatops, original Eddie Torker with transdapt spreadbore adapter/2" spacer with recalibrated 800cfm Qjet, roller tip rockers and Howards 232° .480'" lift 108LS cam but yeah maaaaby 300hp.... Common.... I always figured it must make around 350+ because It has always run really strong for a mild build. I mean GMPP has a 290hp crate engine that's essentially a stock smogger 350 with Mild performance cam upgrade, a low rise performer style intake and 1 5/8" headers so ya know alot of these forum experts can be hardcore na sayers and alot preach expert knowledge about stuff they actually have ZERO experience with and are just regurgitating crap they have read or heard, like the long rods making big power increases debate...well Richard debunked that.... Sorry bout the long rant! 🙄
we did an easy 365 hp with 882s and a mild cam-all motors can make power
Thank you Richard great video , love the Dodge LA motor often over looked . But very responsive to modifications. Keep up the good work . Use to read magazines that you wrote for or was the editor for. Muscle Mustang and GM High Tech Performance .
Love the LA motor. I still have a couple 340 LA's. You're last cam setup is pretty close to what I ran in my street/strip car years ago. I used to estimate it at 375 HP. I got the chassis weight down to 2,800 lbs. and it ran 12.90's in the quarter at 113. I always liked the shaft rockers and the windage tray that came stock on the 340's. Probably the only "issue" with the LA motor is the angle of the pushrods versus the lifters having morphed from the poly motor.
I had a .40 over junkyard motor. It had a vacuum leak so it ate the #2 exhaust valve. Piston munched up the valve it ruined the head. Cylinder wall was pitted. Did a light hone on all the cylinders. Worked #2 within spec checking it with the ring gap. Installed cast iron Chevy rings on new flat top hypereutectic pistons. 252H Comp cam. Stock heads with a 5 angle valve job. Offenhauser 318 sized Dual Port intake with a 800cfm Thermoquad. 1979 B200 extended van. Everyday it grossed 5500-6500lbs hauling tools supplies and carpet/carpet pad. 727 with a 2200 no name converter. 3:21's. Probably has 180K since the rebuild. Sits in the driveway now. #2 would rock a little until on initial startup. Melling HV pump, factory 6.5qt oil pan. I ran a 85 Qjet off a 360 JY motor for a while. It seemed to get better mileage. Less VOOOOM than the TQ. I played with a Jacobs ignition on it for a while. When that system worked it really screamed! Never did try an MSD.
good combo
We are gonna have to nickname you "Heavy Bag Holdener" 😂😂 love the video and also would love to see the 318 magnum soon. Possibly a junkyard one!
My brother had a short early dodge van with 318. Only mods when he bought it were a 4 barrel intake presumably from a 340 (perhaps ports didn't even match) and headers. That thing ran. It did like 85 in the quarter.
Built a very similar combo with a factory 340 aar cam. The power is great from 3000 up. But not practical for the truck we put it in. Then turned around an built the magnum version. Same basic heads but will fi. Gobs more power below 3000. But fuel economy is bad at best. The 360 is not known efficiencies. Now...take the leap and find a 340 with some massive stroker combos and tbose trick flkw heads. 440 ci magnum Motor with trick flow heads and dog house fi. You will have a new favorite work horse!
Very impressed what you ended getting out of this 360 with basically “bolt on’s” and not changing internals other than the cam..Great job 👍😀
Richard I have no words because you have answered all my questions.. so far... The best cam for an LT1 383
Talk to the guys at TPIS
@@richardholdener1727 Richard thank you for your help.. and you bet I'll keep watching your videos even if it doesn't pertain to my vehicles.. I'll definitely spread the word amongst my buddies about your videos... Stay safe and stay healthy.
I've got a 1979 b300 van I'm restoring with a 360, less than 20k miles. I'm loving this!
How about converting the LA engine to run the Magnum heads😊 that would be a good piece.
I built an 80 maxivan .
Pocket porting and back cut valves.
Crane 290° cam.
A stock spread bore intake, with the flat egr plug( came with a huge one originally)
Q-jet rejetted and weaker power plunger spring.
Drilled throttle valves to keep the idle transition good.
Full advance at 35.
3500 stall converter and 355 gears...
It was a bigass rocket😊
A bit of info from someone who has had several vans & pick-em-ups w/ the 360. If you use it to tow or haul heavy loads that low rpm torque value can be really useful. Ex: suppose you are pulling a heavy loaded trailer & need to do a standing start on a slight incline an engine w/ max torque starting at 2500 to 3000 rpm will give you some problems. Would need a high stall torque converter to get the job done. The 360 was originally designed as a truck engine.
What works well on the engine dyno is not always what works well on the street. I have found that the long tube headers tend to lean out the mixture and cause a spark knock even with an 800cfm Edelbrock carb. The reason you're making more power with headers is because you are leaning out the mixture and making it run hotter. But you'd better watch out.
A LEAN MIXTURE IS NOT WHY YOU MAKE MORE POWER WITH HEADERS (WE OPTIMIZE AF FOR EACH COMBO)
I have a 2001 ram 1500. Its gutless 318 magnum won't hardly pull itself and only gets 13 mpg. Please do an upgrade combo for us ! Thanks !!!
Put a cam in it and throw some extra fuel in there
Put headers and a decent exhaust , a k&n filter and shout it a decent tune and service , you will be surprised .......
you have bigger problems.....my 93 ram 5.2 mag will boil the tires off and get 17mpg.
follow his comp cams XE250 concept, you can mill the heads up to .040" (Probably stick with .030" , get a spring kit for your Distributor from 'FBO', but most importantly, swap your rear axle to numberically 3.21 gear or larger-and/or run smaller tires, 1 5/8" headers would give you 9lbs of torque across much of the curve of the RPM range
Woohoo let's go! I'm building a turbo 340 right now. You got my attention!
A 5.9 magnum would be a fun one. I had one in highschool and that engine responded better to upgrades than any engine ive messed with.
It's impressive how much power a stock, low-compression bottom end can make with sensible mods. Good stuff.
Love those 360 mopars
An extra 100 hp at the ground is nice - especially when you're going from 150 to 250! I'd sure like to know what that feels like, especially since my daily driver (which has never been on a chassis dyno) probably puts a mere 90-95 hp to the ground from what I've heard....
Nice that you showed the stuff that worked and smart enough to downgrade the cam when you put it back in the van. If you had put headers out the hood you could have gained 1000 hp (lol) plus have built in defrosters!
You make the most awesome videos ever, I am getting ready to build a 360 small block for my Dodge pick up, this information was awesome to take in, it helps me to know that the modifications I am going to make are very well worth it, currently I’m porting heads for my 318 small block and put some long tube headers on it plus a four barrel intake and carb, I have no idea how much I’ll gain out of that but I’m sure I’ll feel a difference, then I’ll build the 360 bottom up, Thank you for making your videos I love them
97 k viewers Richard Holdener!
Uncle Tonys Garage accidentaly sent me back here to revisit what I saw 2 months ago.I'm back to check in! I had GM and Mopar cars early. Fords later. The down graded to Wedge A series 68 to 93? LA is an intake restricted engine with everything else just perfect...even the side by side exhaust valve sequences doesn't really hamper it in any way...much like the RB and SBC Gen 1 its key design elements were re-copied from. So again it is an 1970 LT-1 for power and torque, but there is so much more Mopar hiding in there!
I had a '74 ramcharger that had a 360 in it with the factory cast iron 4 barrel intake on it....I had bought the truck for $300 because it had no reverse.....the motor looked %100 stock but I know someone had been in there and switched the cam or bumped the compression up....that thing was a beast and would literally almost lift the front wheels when you would floor it up a hill......no way the motor was factory sealed....man I miss that truck with its full convertible top......I need to find another one or a k-5
Had a 78 360 in a dodge van did the same rv grind ported heads thermoquad with Buick dual snorkel cold air cleaner stock exhaust manifolds 3 inch exhaust it was 305 hp with 400 lbs feet torque towing big race car trailers long hills second gear at 5800 rpm it would get a great resonance in the air cleaner that would vibrate the engine cover.
As a 20 years SBM huge fan, I can say that Magnums are also great. There are plenty of them all around and indeed you should maybe do a dynotest on one.
Starting from a stock 5.9 and doing mods keeping EFI, not carb. Thanks.
stock efi is garbage. start from scratch if you want efi that bad lol.
I was thrilled to see this video. I have a complete 81 360 “LA” that I intend on pushing to the limit while I search for a stout aftermarket block. I am curious though on how far I can go with the factory block. I’ve purchased a set of the Edelbrock 61729 Victor heads and I intend on using the 426 stroker kit from Hughes Engines with the dish pistons, and a healthy solid roller cam. This setup will be going into a 69 A body I’ve had for 30+ years. A 4spd is planned for the stock block build. Keep the great videos coming, they’re all great 👍
some interesting meat in here for old RV owners... the increase in low end torque, and though not mentioned gas mileage improvement with a 4 barrel, and the headers, are cheap and easy to do. The RV cam, not as easy but if doing an overhaul, probably worth while. sadly no mention of ignition system improvements... or test to show what they might or might not do.
Since powernation screwed up their build with the new TFS heads🤨 I say TFS should get Richard to do a build 😁
It is too bad that Edelbrock quit making the aftermarket Q-Jets. they were great carburetors. I used a Performer RPM Q-jet on a mild street build I did back in the day. I tried rebuilding the factory carb, and even bought a new auto-parts store QJet, trying to get one that worked, I was going to install an intake and a Holley, but the guy at the local speed shop showed me the Edelbrock Qjets that had just came out. I gave it a shot, and It was one of the best performing carbs I have ever ran. it worked perfectly right out of the box and never gave me a minutes trouble. I wish I had taken it of the car after it got ran in to and total by my neighbor.
A clean Q-jet is an amazing street carb ... lotsa love for the Q
I like the Mopar stuff. I'm glad you finally did some old school Mopar testinf. I'd like to see some more big block testing, though.
me too