LA 360 budget build ideas
Looking for 360 horsepower at the flywheel. Would a 9.0:1 compression ratio be enough? Thoughts, ideas on what cylinder heads, cam,etc would I need to get to the power level that I'm looking at. I think that this would make for a nice winter project.
I’m a bit with
@AJ/FormS on this.
9.0-1 is certainly enough! Oh yes!
So you have an engine now?
This is what I would do;
Once your block has a balanced assembly in it….
The stock letter heads (J. Z, O, etc..) with back cut valves and a competition valve job should be done. 750 carb, Edelbrock RPM (air gap a plus) & headers.
Camshaft wise, (it’s just simply hard to get them now,)
1; It will depend on what it’s going in,
2; How heavy the vehicle is,
3; gear ratio and tire size,
4; if you willing to change converters or not. If not, the smallest cam I’d run for this endeavor would be ether of these below;
Howard’s cams;
DODGE Howards Cams 711451-08 Howards Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts | Summit Racing
DODGE Howards Cams 711651-10 Howards Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts | Summit Racing
These cams will get the job done. A larger duration cam moves the power band up.
If the stock OEM heads are not suitable for some reason, then I would use Edelbrock heads. If you have the coin, roller rockers would be a plus for there accurate ratio over the stamped steel OEM offerings.
2-1/2 “H” piped exhaust. Summit turbo mufflers or Hooker Aero Chambers
10/1 compression, ported heads (at least well breathing), four BBL carb and modest headers, stock ignition, modest cam.
Your over building. Not a bad thing!
10-1 is where most people would go. Not a big deal.
Ported heads aren’t needed. BUT!!!!! More flow doesn’t hurt. The thing is here is the camshaft needed doesn’t need a high lift. At best, a OEM head can use a bowl porting. Most of the lift will need a good valve job and a better valve… or at least a back cutting.
Stock ignition? Perish the thought!!!
If you have an electronic ignition, use at the minimum, the Chrysler Chrome box or a FBO box.
Modest headers? WFT is modest headers? (LOL!)
Modest camshaft? Again as above. There are dozens smaller than what I listed.
A bit of a FWIW…. A long way back when Dodge entered the Craftsman cup truck series…. The small block engines made 750hp @ a rule limited 9.0-1 ratio.