Performance Questions 225 vs. 360
Highest is 5.9 magnum 245hp which is the same as the 300hp crate engine with a dual plane, LA timing cover and car oil pan and dyno's 320hp with a 650 and headers. But I think he wants what a late 70's 4bbl 360 has 175hp.
I like how it feels like we're standing in the eyes of the storm, watching everyone debate the merits and demerits of both.
:happy1:
Still enjoying the information though. I love having access to stuff like this, so that no matter what I decide, it'll be here.
I enjoy reading this thread everyday. BUT...I'm beginning to wonder if the OP'er just wanted to watch the fireworks...
Nah. I really thought this one would leave no room for arguing, since it was a specific question. But if friendly debating brings more information, let the games begin!
Sully - As an engineer you have to know the desired result must be well settled before any plan is designed. If you're testing the waters here, you'll find folks on both sides of the discussion who are ardent supporters of one or the other...lol
As for me - I've swapped slants for small and big blocks, stick and autos, and been very involved in a GM stovebolt 6 turbo that runs 9s. Which is, once you reach that level, pretty much the same animal as any inline 6.
Some of what I've found:
You do not need more torsion bars or brakes. The differences in weight between a slant 6 and a 440 is about the weight of one passenger; the difference between a slant and a small block is a load of groceries.
You do not need to replace the transmission crossmember. If you use a V8 904, you need no driveshaft.
The cost to swap in a V8 is more - but not much more. You need the running engine. You need the support parts to make it work. You need exhaust work. But to build a slant, you need the same things, but the performance parts cost more. The cam, the manifold, the header, all cost a lot more than V8 stuff new, and are harder to find close by used. (I've tried myself for a year now) Swap meet V8 stuff is all over.
No turbo setup is what I consider "cheap" or "easy".
No supercharger setup is what I consider "cheap" or "easy".
It comes down to what you want. You can have a great running slant and 95% of the public won't care. You can have a terrible running V8 and people will still be interested.
So bearing in mind the desired result - what do you want to do? How much do you have to spend?
Indeed. Sometimes I wonder if I ask too many multi-faceted questions here. I don't want people to get tired of me haha.
As for the weight, you make a superb point. I guess I just wasn't thinking when I was reading about the engine swaps and the weight increase and stuff. Wow I feel silly now ](*,)
And I don't really care what other people think too much. Results is more of my concern than means. If putting a two cylinder motorcycle engine with a blower on it was the fastest option for the money, I'd be on it. (Which, if I ever talk that guy up the road into giving me that little Fiat...)
But anyways, yes. Very good points. I will be keeping my eyes out for good deals on engines.
As for budget, that's a difficult question to answer. Because, I don't really have a hard budget, but I still want to keep things cheap, because, with some of the rust issues and stuff that exist on the car, I'm not sure that if in the long run, I'll be keeping it as a daily driver, or selling it and trading up on an A-body of an earlier year that is a little cleaner. So I don't want to invest a great deal of money into the engine bay if it wouldn't have potential return. That said, I don't mind putting time in.
So, my goal was to see if, for less money than swapping in a 360, my /6 could be made to produce comparable power to the stock 360 that I'd be swapping in. I think I've learned a lot of things about this whole deal, and while I love the idea of turboing a slant even more now, I'm thinking for this car, I may go with the 360, because if I do decide to sell it, that is money I will probably see added to the value. However, I would definitely be keeping my slant for use in a future car :D.
Thanks guys for all the info, and if you want to keep going, by all means do so. I am enjoying getting the info together all in one place. I'll be just driving my slant for now and looking around for deals.
