360 Crates

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Craig NY

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Well ive been kinda set on having a big block if i do land a Cuda or Duster, but people have been tellin me to mabye consider building a nice small block screamer. I figured that if i can snag a good body for and go with the crate 360, of snag one with a 360 in it and freshen her up a little. I dont really have any info on these motors, so ill leave it to the experts. Anyone have any info on the 360 crate that MOPAR sells, or any 360 that they may be running, and what kind of numbers thry are making? Ill be ready to buy in a few weeks so im trying to make in informed decision, instead of an impulse one for once in my life! LOL!
 
The 360 crate motors now have R/T heads on them so they are making more power 320 or 390 HP. Magazine tests of the older 380 HP motor always had them making over 400 so they are under rated. MP also sells a 402 stroker small block and a 360 with aluminum heads. They are now advertising (don't know if it's available yet or not) a 440 stroker small block.

I built a 360 for my 68 Barracuda and used late model magnum heads, flat tappet cam (Comp XE268H), dual plane manifold and headers. This engine is making approximately 370 HP based on 1/4 mile trap speeds and approx 400HP based on one of the engine analyzer programs. I have run a very traction limited best of 13.7 @ 102 in the 1/4. This is very much a street motor and will idle all day long in traffic and still pulls down 14-15 mpg in around town driving.

The question you have to answer to your self is do I want monster torque in a very nose heavy car that does not handle particularly well or a better balanced car that has more room to work on.
 
Thanks Dave. Great info, im hoping to land a Cuda just like yours, great car. Id have no problem having the small block, if i can make enough power to kick some butt at the strip a couple of times a year thats awesome. Any more info from yall is great!
 
Hey Craig;

Any create engine from anybody should be torn down and inspected. (IMO)
The best dyno run I seen on the older 360/380 HP create was 410 HP with what MoPar recomended to attach to it. (750 cfm, 1-3/4 tube headers, etc..)

Big blocks weight can be drop very well. Down to a S/B. But you can drop the S/B weight further. Then stroke to 400+.

Tough call. It is really down to what you want. Not a thing more.
 
Thanks Rumble. I want an engine that would eventually get me 11's or mabye even 10's with some seroious modding,
 
Craig NY said:
Well ive been kinda set on having a big block if i do land a Cuda or Duster, but people have been tellin me to mabye consider building a nice small block screamer. I figured that if i can snag a good body for and go with the crate 360, of snag one with a 360 in it and freshen her up a little. I dont really have any info on these motors, so ill leave it to the experts. Anyone have any info on the 360 crate that MOPAR sells, or any 360 that they may be running, and what kind of numbers thry are making? Ill be ready to buy in a few weeks so im trying to make in informed decision, instead of an impulse one for once in my life! LOL!
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Personally i'd have a 360 built to suit your needs,just find a good machine shop/builder you can trust and you'll know exactely what parts are being used and who is doing the work,i don't trust any crate motor too many horror stories....and don't believe all those h.p. numbers they quote,theres a guy that runs quite frequently at the track with me, he's running low 12's at best with one of those 402 stroker crate engines....
 
If your end goal (albeit with mods) is the 10s, I dont know if I would go small block. A stroker small block can easy run tens, but you have to spend a bit to get it, and it will need gearing and such. If you want a perfectly balanced car, I would build a 360. Not buy a crate. Crate engines are a great way to get some new parts in one box. But I dont trust them much beyond that. The 360s are the better ones if you go that route tho. You wont get a great handling small block to run 10s, but it leaves room for some upgrades over time. If racing is the final intention, add a Dana as an upgrade later, and when you feel ready, install a cage and a big block.Just an opinion here tho...
 
Don't go with the Mopar crate engines, they are too pricey for a lowest bidder product, and they have a history of being poorly assembled and having problems because of improper cleaning before assembly. There are plenty of other good shops out there that sell complete motors.
 
I havent heard of any problems with the Magnum crate motors, I have heard plenty about the reman short blocks Mopar sells. The 380hp 360s seem to run strong and should be good for low 12s, high 11s no that they have the better R/T heads. But you could probably build better for the same price.
 
moper said:
If your end goal (albeit with mods) is the 10s, I dont know if I would go small block. A stroker small block can easy run tens, but you have to spend a bit to get it, and it will need gearing and such. If you want a perfectly balanced car, I would build a 360. Not buy a crate. Crate engines are a great way to get some new parts in one box. But I dont trust them much beyond that. The 360s are the better ones if you go that route tho. You wont get a great handling small block to run 10s, but it leaves room for some upgrades over time. If racing is the final intention, add a Dana as an upgrade later, and when you feel ready, install a cage and a big block.Just an opinion here tho...
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What!! i'm running a low 11 second soon to be 10 second 416 stroked small-block in my duster it has great street manners handles well,and know plenty of big block cars that wish they ran that quick....
 
I didnt say it was impossible, just easier to do it big block..that's all.
 
its all personal preference.. if i was starting from scratch i would do a big block with alumn heads,intake,water pump and housing. that would get the weight of the bb down and you still have a big block.... but thats me.. everyone has their own opinion on that....


as far as the mp short block goes. i'm running one in my dart and know quite of few guys in my area that run at atco that have had no problems at all with them...

mp 9.5 to 1 short block

6077 eddy heads

rpm intake

750 dp

good convertor

3:91 gears

instant low to mid 12's

a little weight savings and maybe a cam change and a little more gears.. definatley an 11 sec ride...
 
moper said:
I didnt say it was impossible, just easier to do it big block..that's all.
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Yes,but its soooooo much better blowing the big blocks off with a small block :thumbup:
 
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