Author Topic: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block  (Read 4642 times)

Offline bobs73challenger

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Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« on: February 08, 2016 - 09:01:09 AM »
Hey everyone,

So -- the 360 in my Challenger has been diagnosed as being pretty far gone.  Well...not too far gone, but too far gone to repair.  It's a strong candidate for a full on rebuild, but that's not happening yet. 

Anyway -- I've found a good deal on a 360 from an 89 250 series van.  It has the 308 casting heads, and is a fuel injected engine.

I'm not going to be keeping the fuel injection system.  I'll be replacing the top end with my Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and having the 308 heads worked a little bit.  For the sake of driving the car soon, and knowing that I'm likely going to have my current LA motor reworked in the next few years, I'm not planning on doing anything to the block of the new motor.   

My question is: what kind of cam should I look for?  I'm looking for something that I can drive regularly, to and from work, errands, etc.  I'm looking to make my Challenger as much of a daily driver as I can at the moment. 

I understand that those motors are fairly weak.  The car needs too much body to justify a call to Carolina Machine Engines for one of their motors at this point.  An investment of about $1500 is going to be a pretty good temporary solution for me.  At this point, dropping the new motor  as is, with my intake/carb is an option.  I just figured, while I had the intake off, heads can be pulled and a cam can be swapped. 

Not worried about installation, as a friend of mine will be helping out.  I'm getting the motor for $500 , so I'm hoping to put a grand into the head work and a cam. 

With that said, I'd love to hear your thoughts!  Thank you!

« Last Edit: February 08, 2016 - 11:52:34 AM by bobs73challenger »




Offline Swedee

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Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2016 - 11:30:27 AM »
I'm pretty much at the same page as you are with a late 80's LA 360.
I went for the one of Comp Cams Xtreme Energy Retro-Fit Hydroller cams (http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=645&sb=2). I'll use a Weiand 7507 intake and an Edelbrock 750 carb.
Some work has been done to the heads but nothing major, just some port work and they've been milled about .078 inches.
I hope (and think) that this combo will make me a little happier than the stock 318 in my Challenger 😀


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« Last Edit: February 08, 2016 - 11:35:58 AM by Swedee »
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Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2016 - 12:15:17 PM »
I'm thinking the 308 heads have a different angle on the bolts that mount the intake... So you need to either run a different intake or redrill the holes in your intake...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
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Offline Swedee

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2016 - 12:31:21 PM »

I'm thinking the 308 heads have a different angle on the bolts that mount the intake... So you need to either run a different intake or redrill the holes in your intake...

If that's the case, the previous owner must've redrilled it as it was all mounted when I bought it.



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Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2016 - 12:51:06 PM »
Did some research, 308 head intake bolt angle is normal, it's the magnum heads that are angled... :thumbsup:
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline bobs73challenger

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2016 - 12:54:13 PM »
Great news that my current intake will work! Thanks!  Swedee, it does sound like we're going down the same road!  :thumbsup:

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2016 - 09:46:34 PM »
308 head were the last LA head design used before the magnum & are one of the best ever LA heads .
 89 should have a roller cam  maybe just use that for  while
« Last Edit: February 09, 2016 - 12:49:59 PM by Chryco Psycho »

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Offline Rob C

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2016 - 12:40:13 AM »
IMO, if it is indeed a roller cam engine, and I think it is, the above mentioned roller cam is a good everyday driver cam that will have nice power with that engine. No sense at all going to a solid or Hyd. flat tapper cam.
'73 Cuda, 360, 4psd & 4.10's
'79 Dodge Magnum, 360, 727, 9-1/4 W/3.55's

Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2016 - 01:45:51 AM »
I've run the stock roller cam, it's super mild.....   There are plenty of roller cams available for that engine.... You can reuse your original lifters, unlike a flat tappet the lifters don't need to go back on the same lobe they can go from one cam to another without issue.....

Heres a decent option but it'll need better springs....   http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-20200711/overview/make/dodge
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline bobs73challenger

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2016 - 08:48:02 AM »
Do you think I will have any trouble with the truck oil pan?  Should I use the one that is on my current motor?

Offline Swedee

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Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2016 - 10:28:50 AM »
Do you think I will have any trouble with the truck oil pan?  Should I use the one that is on my current motor?

You'll need an car oil pan along with a pickup fitting that.
I got this at Summit -> http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sum-g3536/overview/


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« Last Edit: February 09, 2016 - 10:57:31 AM by Swedee »
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2016 - 12:53:38 PM »
Yes you can use the pan off  of your old engine as they are both 360 engines , 318 / 340 engines use different oil pans

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Offline Swedee

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2016 - 01:05:17 PM »

Yes you can use the pan off  of your old engine as they are both 360 engines , 318 / 340 engines use different oil pans

Sorry, I go from a 318, that's why i needed another one. Thanks Chryco for setting things straight 😊


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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Cam recommendations/advice for upgrades to late 80's LA block
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2016 - 07:27:09 PM »
Ok the end seal area is larger on the 360 so the 318 pan will not work . the pick up tube would work but you can probably get a pan & pick up set .
 Glad to help as always .

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