if i build a BUDGET 360.... LA Vs Magnum 5.9

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LOL... i men i would love to look into a GEN 3 HEMI but thats a whole other "wallet"

Have you done up a cost for it, or just assuming? I guess maybe if you wanted a carb the G3 price goes up quickly.

Regardless, I agree with getting the 318 running. And the 360/5.9 idea would be quicker and easier than an LS/G3 swap too.
 
Have you done up a cost for it, or just assuming? I guess maybe if you wanted a carb the G3 price goes up quickly.

Regardless, I agree with getting the 318 running. And the 360/5.9 idea would be quicker and easier than an LS/G3 swap too.
starts with just buying the engine.. then the engine management and the trans fit.
we already surpassing 3.5K without any fun parts.

I WILL GET THE 318 I HAVE DIALED IN ...
 
True but they still run and run good. My take is do the swap with lapped velves and new seals and the Hughes spring kit.
Later upgrade cylinder heads.
LA's are all okd and need seat and guide work by now also so in my mind that's a wash between LA and magnum engines.
This was my exact plan until I checked to see if the valves were sealing...which they weren't. Not even close. Part of the problem is that the stock exhaust seats are not really hard at all. Combine this with lean running efi and you're screwed.

Went with new iron heads with chrome seats.
 
starts with just buying the engine.. then the engine management and the trans fit.
we already surpassing 3.5K without any fun parts.

I WILL GET THE 318 I HAVE DIALED IN ...
If you are an LS guy I'm assuming you don't mind fuel injection. The factory Chrysler stuff is really reliable. Hp tuners can now modify the jtec computers.

Honestly a good running 318 in an a body is peppy and fun driver.
 
starts with just buying the engine.. then the engine management and the trans fit.
we already surpassing 3.5K without any fun parts.

I have $500 into the 2 Eagle 5.7's I own, hopefully I can do a re-ring and maybe bearings and have a good shortblock. Last I checked I could get the heads cleaned up and my upgraded springs installed for $200.

Here is the running total I have.

Core 2017 Hemi (Truck)
$400.00​
Holley Swap Headers
$485.95​
Holley Motor Mounts
$226.75​
Holley Oil pan w/ pickup
$475.18​
Used PCM
$100.00​
OE harness(es)
$120.00​
6.4 cam and springs
$401.29​
Dipstick and PS hoses
$137.94​
90 degree adapter
$167.76​
6.4 Intake (used)
$310.37​
SPECTRA CR11E gas tank
$158.79​
Used C5 Camaro fuel module
$75.00​
GTO tank to cut ring out of
$100.00​
VaporWorx FPRAGM5
$14.99​
Exhaust
$408.90​
Total
$3,582.92​

Still short stuff like the car TC cover, water pump, radiator/fan, etc. so a long ways to go, but I feel like I have the big ticket items except new OEM lifters which I expect to be $600.

Note that prices are only going up and some of the these parts were at a good deal stage and the headers aren't even available anymore from Holley.

Here are my projected numbers to finish the swap:

Tuning
$250.00​
Lifters
$600.00​
Car Timing cover (used)
$100.00​
Alternator
$200.00​
Water Pump
$150.00​
Radiator/fan
$250.00​
Gaskets, ring, bearings
$400.00​
Crossmember
$100.00​
Total
$2,050.00​
 
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5.3 LS swap, LA 360, Magnum 360, Gen III Hemi, 440 almost done, get the 318 running.... what was the question?? :)
 
Here is what I spent on the last magnum swap I did but with car oil pan added for your application.
The engine was essentially free after I scrapped the truck it was in.
I won't do the EQ heads again. I just don't see the bang for the buck.


Car Oil pan 65.00
Car oil pickup 25.00
Gasket set-73.00
carb intake -128.00
Cam Regrind -250.
Pushrods-80.00
Chinese electric fuel pump-20.00
Windage tray with hardware 120.00
Cam bearings 16.00
Main Bearings 40.00
Rod bearings 15.00
Van power steering pump bracket-60.00
Ac bypass pulley-30.00
Hughes valve spring kit 225.00
oven cleaner-15.00
Acetone 15.00
Paint 15.00
Hose clamps,hose,hardware etc 100.00

EQ cylinder heads 1100.00
 
Here is what I spent on the last magnum swap I did but with car oil pan added for your application.
The engine was essentially free after I scrapped the truck it was in.
I won't do the EQ heads again. I just don't see the bang for the buck.


Car Oil pan 65.00
Car oil pickup 25.00
Gasket set-73.00
carb intake -128.00
Cam Regrind -250.
Pushrods-80.00
Chinese electric fuel pump-20.00
Windage tray with hardware 120.00
Cam bearings 16.00
Main Bearings 40.00
Rod bearings 15.00
Van power steering pump bracket-60.00
Ac bypass pulley-30.00
Hughes valve spring kit 225.00
oven cleaner-15.00
Acetone 15.00
Paint 15.00
Hose clamps,hose,hardware etc 100.00

EQ cylinder heads 1100.00
yea i would ratehr go Speedmasters if heads are needed.
 
I’d say run what you have until you have everything for the 5.9 magnum swap (websites for what’s needed for the swap have already been mentioned (post #26)).
IMG_9169.jpeg
 
Last edited:
yea i would ratehr go Speedmasters if heads are needed.
The speedmaster heads, though for use with oil through pushrods, do not have provisions for magnum style pedestal mount rocker arms. To my knowledge, the only aluminum head that works with the stock valve train is the edelbrock.

I went with new oem style iron heads with hardened valve seats and a 3 angle valve job given the price of the other options.
 
The speedmaster heads, though for use with oil through pushrods, do not have provisions for magnum style pedestal mount rocker arms. To my knowledge, the only aluminum head that works with the stock valve train is the edelbrock.

I went with new oem style iron heads with hardened valve seats and a 3 angle valve job given the price of the other options.
Forgot about that part...
 
Forgot about that part...
Topic says : 318 "basic rebuild" cam,heads, intake.

Worn out 74 engine and it's symptoms are Parton BASIC REBUILD , you guys tell me to not touch it It's a bad motor, it seems.. you will not find a used 318 LA with perfect compression. That's why it's a old LA
 
Based on the original post title, 360LA vs Magnum for a budget build up. I'd go Magnum every day of the week. Way better heads. With a cheap eBay intake manifold, a cam upgrade, a proper carb, and headers, you're gonna have a 380hp motor, easy.
 
I have $500 into the 2 Eagle 5.7's I own, hopefully I can do a re-ring and maybe bearings and have a good shortblock. Last I checked I could get the heads cleaned up and my upgraded springs installed for $200.

Here is the running total I have.

Core 2017 Hemi (Truck)
$400.00​
Holley Swap Headers
$485.95​
Holley Motor Mounts
$226.75​
Holley Oil pan w/ pickup
$475.18​
Used PCM
$100.00​
OE harness(es)
$120.00​
6.4 cam and springs
$401.29​
Dipstick and PS hoses
$137.94​
90 degree adapter
$167.76​
6.4 Intake (used)
$310.37​
SPECTRA CR11E gas tank
$158.79​
Used C5 Camaro fuel module
$75.00​
GTO tank to cut ring out of
$100.00​
VaporWorx FPRAGM5
$14.99​
Exhaust
$408.90​
Total
$3,582.92​

Still short stuff like the car TC cover, water pump, radiator/fan, etc. so a long ways to go, but I feel like I have the big ticket items except new OEM lifters which I expect to be $600.

Note that prices are only going up and some of the these parts were at a good deal stage and the headers aren't even available anymore from Holley.

Here are my projected numbers to finish the swap:

Tuning
$250.00​
Lifters
$600.00​
Car Timing cover (used)
$100.00​
Alternator
$200.00​
Water Pump
$150.00​
Radiator/fan
$250.00​
Gaskets, ring, bearings
$400.00​
Crossmember
$100.00​
Total
$2,050.00​

Did you happen to price this out with a carb? I’d be curious what the cost difference would be.
 
Did you happen to price this out with a carb? I’d be curious what the cost difference would be.

I had not, but you made me curious.

The parts to bolt it in the car really shouldn't be different. It's the additional parts to make one run that would be different.

Also, the VVT motors would require the crank tone ring to be swapped to the 32T '08- ones so the MDS HEMI6 module could be used. I'm not really even sure that is possible as there are 3 bolt and 4 bolt tone rings, but I have heard people say it can be done. Then you would need to lock out the VVT as well. So really the best motors to run a carb on are the earlier non-VVT one.

I was a little surprised to find that Holley had a carb intake, but it is for the '09+ motors or a 6.1. Makes me think they have a plan for ignition control on those motors, maybe the Terminator setup can run the ignition only?

The below numbers used an '08- motor which is why the motor cost is lower. And because of that I didn't include the cost of a VVT lockout. Note that the carb intake doesn't fit the heads unless Eagle heads are swapped on or the intake port is opened up.

EFI 5.7 (VVT)Carb 5.7 ('08-)
Core motor
$400.00​
$150.00​
Holley Swap Headers
$485.95​
$485.95​
Holley Motor Mounts
$226.75​
$226.75​
Holley Oil pan w/ pickup
$475.18​
$475.18​
Used PCM
$100.00​
Tuning
$250.00​
OE harness(es)
$120.00​
HEMI6 Ignition Controller
$863.92​
HEMI6 Harness
$399.44​
6.4 cam and springs
$401.29​
Comp 112-303-11 & 26918 Springs
$932.16​
Dipstick and PS hoses
$137.94​
$137.94​
Gas Pedal
$20.00​
$20.00​
90 degree adapter
$167.76​
$167.76​
Lifters
$600.00​
$600.00​
Car Timing cover (used)
$100.00​
6.4 Intake (used)
$310.37​
Carb intake
$553.45​
Carb
$500.00​
Alternator (used)
$200.00​
$200.00​
Water Pump (used)
$150.00​
$150.00​
Radiator/fan
$250.00​
$250.00​
SPECTRA CR11E gas tank
$158.79​
Used C5 Camaro fuel module
$75.00​
GTO tank to cut ring out of
$100.00​
VaporWorx FPRAGM5
$14.99​
Exhaust
$408.90​
$408.90​
Gaskets, ring, bearings
$400.00​
$400.00​
Total
$5,552.92​
$6,921.45​

If you delete the cam, it is only $500 more than the EFI setup.
 
I should add that the above numbers matched prices on things like the headers just to keep the comparison fair. The headers are $700 or so now, and I am sure other parts have gone up as well.
 
Topic says : 318 "basic rebuild" cam,heads, intake.

Worn out 74 engine and it's symptoms are Parton BASIC REBUILD , you guys tell me to not touch it It's a bad motor, it seems.. you will not find a used 318 LA with perfect compression. That's why it's a old LA
You need new comprehension skills. I see where no one told you not to touch the motor you have. It simply needs work.
 
I ran some numbers to see how a VVT motor using the Terminator X kit to run ignition only would compare and it was like $1000 more than the non-VVT carb motor. This was using the same Comp cam as the non-VVT carb motor did which probably isn't a fair comparison as I think the aftermarket cams for the VVT motors are significantly more expensive. And not really sure you can run just ignition with the Terminator X.

Add that I don't see a good reason to run a VVT motor with a carb since VVT would probably be disabled anyways making the motor just an expensive version of the earlier one. Just do the '08- motor and swap heads and pistons if you wanted the better heads. Plus the earlier motors are generally much cheaper than the later VVT motors when buying them used.
 
360 Magnum Core $700.
Cam $324.
HUGHES SPRINGS, RETAINERS & LOCKS $222.
Heads $345.
Oil Pan $ 70.
Oil pump $ 42.
Oil Pump Pickup $ 18.
Timing Chain $ 76.
Gaskets $ 75.
Head Gasket Set $ 91.
Head Bolt Set $ 17.
HEI Dist. $ 73.
Dist. ReCurve Kit $ 19.
Elect. Fuel Pump $160.
Cam Bearings $ 45.
Rings $ 80.
Crankshaft kit $236.
Air Gap Intake $240.
Direct Connection Valve Covers $100.
Mopar Performance Chrome Breather $ 20.
BLACK WRINKLE "LO-PRO" AIR CLEANER $140.
Dipstick & Tube Assembly $ 17.
WINDAGE TRAY $ 65.
Radiator Cooling Fan $ 54.
Water Pump $ 44.
Radiator $170.
Van Power Steering Pump $ 60.
Headman Headers $140.
Remflex 6004 Exhaust Gasket $ 38.
Oil Pressure Sender $ 16.
Temp Sender/Sensor $ 13.
Coolant Hoses $ 70.
Power Steering Hoses $ 50.
POR-15 Engine Enamel $ 36.
Motor Mounts $ 37.
340/360 Engine Mount Brackets $150.
Total $3733.00
 
360 Magnum Core $700.
Cam $324.
HUGHES SPRINGS, RETAINERS & LOCKS $222.
Heads $345.
Oil Pan $ 70.
Oil pump $ 42.
Oil Pump Pickup $ 18.
Timing Chain $ 76.
Gaskets $ 75.
Head Gasket Set $ 91.
Head Bolt Set $ 17.
HEI Dist. $ 73.
Dist. ReCurve Kit $ 19.
Elect. Fuel Pump $160.
Cam Bearings $ 45.
Rings $ 80.
Crankshaft kit $236.
Air Gap Intake $240.
Direct Connection Valve Covers $100.
Mopar Performance Chrome Breather $ 20.
BLACK WRINKLE "LO-PRO" AIR CLEANER $140.
Dipstick & Tube Assembly $ 17.
WINDAGE TRAY $ 65.
Radiator Cooling Fan $ 54.
Water Pump $ 44.
Radiator $170.
Van Power Steering Pump $ 60.
Headman Headers $140.
Remflex 6004 Exhaust Gasket $ 38.
Oil Pressure Sender $ 16.
Temp Sender/Sensor $ 13.
Coolant Hoses $ 70.
Power Steering Hoses $ 50.
POR-15 Engine Enamel $ 36.
Motor Mounts $ 37.
340/360 Engine Mount Brackets $150.
Total $3733.00
i ended up at 4400
giving the Magnum prices here
and Cylinder heads as a optional 1k !
so roughly the same
 
Mine ran me right at 5k with Eldebrock heads.
KB107 pistons, crank turned, stock rods shot-peened re-sized, bottom end balanced, Hughes 1.65 rockers, Comp 262 roller cam, M1 intake.
Super torque monster engine 300 ft/lbs at idle, 450 at 4000 rpm, but only 400 hp at 5500.
Perfect engine for my 78 power wagon, 4-speed short box.
Static compression 10.8
 
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