Looking to get some extra ponys from my 360 4-bar., what are some ideal mods?

Author Topic: Looking to get some extra ponys from my 360 4-bar., what are some ideal mods?  (Read 1139 times)

Offline Sukhoi

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I'm a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to engine components: I have  a good knowledge of how they operate, but not of the way different parts effect the engine's performance.

I've got a 360 sitting in a 1974 challenger that, well, Barks alot more than it bites.

MY main question here is: what should i go with to get it to back up it's bark? headers? exhaust? ignition? carb? cam? Supercharger? and what type of cam should i use etc...
I'm teying to get power without just KILLING my fuel economy. this is my daily driver after all.

I've already put in a K/N filter, and am going to get an electric fan.

I know there is a thread like this about a 383 on this page, but I've heard that 360's had low compression and a cold cam, and considering that the 360 was rated at 245 and the 383 was rated at 335, I figure there's a bit of a difference in performance.





Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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So we are talking about a totally stock setup here??? If so, the amount of horsepower you can add, is only limited by your budget. For starters, headers help some, but you will feel even more power from a bigger cam, and after-market intake manifold. If the carb. is original, that might have to be swapped out for a bigger one. Your gas mileage shouldn't suffer much unless you put some small gears in the rear end, like 3:91's or 4:10's. That is more for the drag strip.

  Mike

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Sukhoi

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Ok, heres where i need help- can you give me an idea about what type of cam to get? and what's a good carb to mount

Budget is one part, also I'm a little cautious about opening up the engine and messing with things like machining piston heads and porting etc..- things i can't undo.
Yes, everything except the air filter is stock right now

Offline Chryco Psycho

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probably the biggest change woul dbe to install  ported 308 casting heads , using a Engle K54 or K56 cam will work well with the relatively low compression you have now , you will need to havce matching valve springs with the cam , the intake & TQ carb you have noiw are decent & you will not see much gain changing them out

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KTO

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How about this for something quick and dirty...No need to pull the motor apart...you could do this over the course of a weekend and for a few hundred bucks.

You could do everything in stages over time in this order...

1) Add a set of headers (and dual exhaust if not already)

2) Add a modern dual plane intake like an aluminum unit from Mopar or edelbrock.

3) Pull the heads and replace the head gaskets with some really thin metal shim gaskets. This will bump your compression up a bit.

4) Pull the valve covers off and swap in a set of 1.6 or 1.7 ratio rockers. The 1.7 rockers will essentially give you a 5 degree duration hotter cam without the work of dissassembling the motor.

You should be able to pick up the headers and intake used online or on ebay. Probably can get both for under $100 combined. The gasket should be around $40 on summit...The rockers....I'm guessing around $200-$250???

As far as electronics, a mopar orange ECU and a tune up is more than fine...your stock carb will be fine if in proper tune. The K&N... not doing anything for ya  :grinyes:

That should definately register on the butt dyno. but don't take my word for it though... I'm no expert......It seems the the standard ol' stuff though.
« Last Edit: December 28, 2005 - 02:45:08 PM by KTO »

Offline Chryco Psycho

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generally to use 1.6 or 1.7 rockers the valve guides need to be shortened to give clearance for the increased valve lift & a better valve spring will be nessisary as well

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t