I do plan to duplicate this particular build in the future, yes...I also plan on doing a 5spd conversion as well...between the new combo I should see close to 25mpg on the highway...I know you're all entitled to your own opinion, yes...I was just in awe over the responses I read so far...seems to be that the 340-360 is the favored SB.
I wish you all a great 4th and happy Moparing
1. Sorry man but even with a 5 speed conversion you are not going to 25 MPG with that combo. I could give you a combo that might, but it's not going to rev to 6300 rpm.
2. The substitution of a 650 cfm carb is not going to make that combo that much more streetable, if anything, it'll just be a mismatch.
3. Cheap is relative. Note that in the article, the heads were 360 heads fitted with 2.02 intakes, heavily milled, racing 5 angle valve job and ported. If you add in valve guides, springs, postive valve guide seals, magnafluxing, etc. You'll have a grand in those heads easy. Note that they say the bottom end was $500. You'll find that by the time you have the block magged, align honed, bored, decked, bores honed, crank turned, add in bearings, have rods reconditioned and ARP studs pressed in, pistons pressed on, add in the cost of pistons, bearings, windage tray, balancing, etc. You'll be way, way over 500 bucks. It's a cheap engine for a talented machinst like Mr. Dulcich to build, but not so cheap for the guy in the garage. Keep in mind that Engine Masters is a magazine by machinists, for machinists and plan your build budget accordingly.
4. Steve Dulcich says that this engine "Is not completely insane to drive on the street." This is from a guy who builds 600+ hp 360's with dual quad tunnel rams and W-2 heads. "Not completely insane" means very high stall, proper gearing, big cooling and a drive to the car show and back, not 25 MPG on the highway. You'll need even higher rear end gearing with a manual trans. Forget power brakes too.
5. I have the utmost respect for Steve Dulcich. His writing is great and has improved to the point of excellence in the last year or so. He is also, IMHO, one of the foremost Mopar engine builders and a champion of Mopars in general, but you still have to have the knowledge to read between the lines. Like I said EM is a great mag but it also assumes at least some experience in engine building (as opposed to assembling) and machining.
6. I don't hate 318's at all, but they have limitations. I used to build ford engines way back in the day and I found out pretty quickly that building a 351C or 400M made much more sense than revving the piss out of a 302 on the street. Can 318's and 302's make great power? You bet! But it will cost you on the low end of the rev range. If you've ever driven a car with a small displacement engine cammed to make power in the mid-6K range on the street, you'd know where I was coming from. Some people can deal with it, most cannot. Then the car just sits instead of being enjoyed like it should be.
This is just some friendly advice from people who've been there and done that. I say go with the manual trans, build for the 250-275 hp range, add a 100-150 shot of nitrous for the strip and enjoy the heck out of it. :cheers:
