76B5
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Lets hear it, if you had a stock 318 would you go with a stroker kit or a 360 crate engine, and why?
318 Stroker vs 360 Crate
- Thread starter 76B5
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Oldiron440
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If you build your own motor, you can control the quality of parts used, compression ratios etc..
If your not familiar with engine blue printing and performance builds buying a crate motor might be the way to go.
If your not familiar with engine blue printing and performance builds buying a crate motor might be the way to go.
Well since you asked... Neither. I'd keep the short stroke (low piston speed), cylinder wall thickness, and relative fuel economy of the 318... then I'd just shove two atmospheres worth of air (and accompanying fuel) in it when I wanted to go fast. I'd probably also throw a set of 360 heads on to get better flow and drop the compression through the floor for easy tuning on this 91 octane e15 crap we'll be getting at the pumps here.
But within the choices? 318 stroked to 384 (4" stroker on factory bore). For the money you would drop on a quality 360 crate you would get more displacement and probably still afford a set of heads/cam of your choosing. And you don't have to mess with the 360's externally balanced bits.
But within the choices? 318 stroked to 384 (4" stroker on factory bore). For the money you would drop on a quality 360 crate you would get more displacement and probably still afford a set of heads/cam of your choosing. And you don't have to mess with the 360's externally balanced bits.
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Perspective: Considering the economic reality of most of our board members what is the effective difference between a mild (4bbl + headers) 318 and a 360? ... 75hp? And it gets even closer if you're considering properly matched heads and cam on either motor. That $3k is technically better spent on a "chinese ebay turbo", intercooler, piping, a blow through carb, and fuel upgrades.
And before you think I'm saying "Well you should just spend $7k on a hot built crate", No...
If you're thinking of spending money because you want some real power the purely logical decision is to turn the old Mopar sexy noisemaker into a coffee table and pull a junkyard Vortec V8, a 4L80e, and a modified Ford Explorer rear axle. That sloppy combo supports nearly 1000hp worth of boost in stock form. That's enough to twist your unibody so hard you'll blow your OWN doors off.
But most of us are more theatrical/sentimental than actually power hungry. Leading me to the moral of the story...
Build what you have, as well as you can afford, and don't compromise too much driveability/enjoyment for power. You know the old saying "There's always someone faster?" Well it's almost 2019, turbos got cheap, and friggin EVERYONE is faster.
And before you think I'm saying "Well you should just spend $7k on a hot built crate", No...
If you're thinking of spending money because you want some real power the purely logical decision is to turn the old Mopar sexy noisemaker into a coffee table and pull a junkyard Vortec V8, a 4L80e, and a modified Ford Explorer rear axle. That sloppy combo supports nearly 1000hp worth of boost in stock form. That's enough to twist your unibody so hard you'll blow your OWN doors off.
But most of us are more theatrical/sentimental than actually power hungry. Leading me to the moral of the story...
Build what you have, as well as you can afford, and don't compromise too much driveability/enjoyment for power. You know the old saying "There's always someone faster?" Well it's almost 2019, turbos got cheap, and friggin EVERYONE is faster.
Oldiron440
Well-Known Member
Very few build for performance here, 2 series gears, low compression in 1980s cars that where sold new to old men. Weak axles low compression heavy body's no performance here.
I grew up in a diferant time 3.55 gears are what station wagons came with. And premium leaded gas was .32 cents a gallon and a good street gear was a 3.91. A good axle was the Dana and the compromise was the 8 3/4 and this was for 400 hp big blocks. Now it's not hard to build a 500 hp small block, just not here.
I grew up in a diferant time 3.55 gears are what station wagons came with. And premium leaded gas was .32 cents a gallon and a good street gear was a 3.91. A good axle was the Dana and the compromise was the 8 3/4 and this was for 400 hp big blocks. Now it's not hard to build a 500 hp small block, just not here.
SixBanger
Well-Known Member
Oh why did I grow up in the wrong era and region?!
AJ/FormS
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Ima thinking NO to the stroker, based on how my 367 already eats tires with a stockish chassis.
Ima thinking crate 360 will be a lotta fun with a warranty.
Ima thinking a stock rebuild is boring, but with the right parts selection and add-ons, that can be changed............. somewhat
Ima thinking;freshen the teener shortblock, put the power in new heads, and jump the compression up to run a modest cam.
Ima thinking a 340, done up like this with aluminum heads would get you a few more footpounds off the line,allowing one size smaller rear gear, and a lil less convertor;and the slightly bigger bore is good for the new aluminum heads to make a bit more power with one size smaller cam, and you can burn skunk-pee at 185psi cylinder pressure. Ima thinking this last thought will bring the biggest smile. Don't go crazy on the cam; let the heads do the work.It's hard to argue with the 4.04+ bore.
Don't let the cost of balancing ruin your combo. It is what it is.
I think you mightta forgot to put Hi-torque-340 up there in the poll, as a choice; I'd vote for that. You know, I have a 340 block around here somewhere; I just had an idea............ Lessee if I can find a crank for it...............
Ima thinking crate 360 will be a lotta fun with a warranty.
Ima thinking a stock rebuild is boring, but with the right parts selection and add-ons, that can be changed............. somewhat
Ima thinking;freshen the teener shortblock, put the power in new heads, and jump the compression up to run a modest cam.
Ima thinking a 340, done up like this with aluminum heads would get you a few more footpounds off the line,allowing one size smaller rear gear, and a lil less convertor;and the slightly bigger bore is good for the new aluminum heads to make a bit more power with one size smaller cam, and you can burn skunk-pee at 185psi cylinder pressure. Ima thinking this last thought will bring the biggest smile. Don't go crazy on the cam; let the heads do the work.It's hard to argue with the 4.04+ bore.
Don't let the cost of balancing ruin your combo. It is what it is.
I think you mightta forgot to put Hi-torque-340 up there in the poll, as a choice; I'd vote for that. You know, I have a 340 block around here somewhere; I just had an idea............ Lessee if I can find a crank for it...............
