What is a good Dodge 318 Small block for racing? (Page 2/2)
AL87 NOV 13, 10:58 PM
I'm trying to utilize what I already have.

I would rather spend 800 on pulling 360 heads, machining them, and camming it out, with an upgraded intake and carb. instead of spending 800 on pulling a complete 360 or whatever.
Jake_Dragon NOV 17, 05:24 AM
They are stout little pumpers. I had one when I was 18 and loved it. 130000 miles and it ran like it was new.
Easy to work on and tune.
That said I still wouldn't spend money on one now when you could spend money on a 360 or 383 instead. Why not start where you will eventually end up?

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html

[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 11-17-2012).]

weaselbeak NOV 17, 06:52 AM

quote
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:

They are stout little pumpers. I had one when I was 18 and loved it. 130000 miles and it ran like it was new.
Easy to work on and tune.
That said I still wouldn't spend money on one now when you could spend money on a 360 or 383 instead. Why not start where you will eventually end up?

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html




Because that's what he wants, maybe? Why use an old school 327 when you can use a 383? Given that choice, I'll take the 327. I just sold a 327 off my engine stand to a retired auto mechanic that is without cam, intake, carb, timing hardware, for twice what it would cost him to go pull a decent 350. It's going into a 35 Chevy and it's what he wants.
Jake_Dragon NOV 17, 10:23 AM

quote
Originally posted by weaselbeak:


Because that's what he wants, maybe? Why use an old school 327 when you can use a 383? Given that choice, I'll take the 327. I just sold a 327 off my engine stand to a retired auto mechanic that is without cam, intake, carb, timing hardware, for twice what it would cost him to go pull a decent 350. It's going into a 35 Chevy and it's what he wants.



Don't get your panties in a bunch I just asked a question, my opinion and posted a link back to small block Chrysler engines.

The 318 is a good all round small engine and makes ok power if you get one of the earlier engines or a performance build. If you are doing the work yourself and already have the parts then it would be a good choice.
But if you are planning on spending money then spend it on what you want to end up with not a starter engine.

I had 5 years of experience with a 318 and as long as I wasn't racing someone else it was a fun engine and had power but as soon as I tried to line up against my buddies the engine was lacking.
I spent money on go fast parts and busted a lot of parts. But if I had it to do all over again I would just spend the money and buy the 383 that made the same HP stock that my 318 made after years of work.
Then spend my time making it faster.

My opinion is research and know what you want before you spend the money, learn as much as you can from people that didn't do that and spent too much time trying.

[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 11-17-2012).]

rogergarrison NOV 17, 12:05 PM
Like I said earlier, when you say 'early' 318, dont get anything older than 1967. The REAL early 318, 1966 and back, called the Polyspherical Head, is good as stock but there is not ANY performance parts available for it...even a 4 bbl intake is extremely rare. Its easily identified by the valve covers that have 2 mounting bolts, one at each end, in the top of the cover and a serated lower edge to match the heads. I spent years looking for a manifold and never did find one.
AL87 NOV 22, 02:35 AM
from the short article that weasleback posted about a "stock" 318 making 415hp, I would be satisfied with that.

its not just about the power here, its also about the weight... (especially in a drag)

if I can make the same amount of horsepower that a 2005 corvette can make, then I'll be fine.

and personally I would rather tune a carbed engine over a computer controlled one.
(I'd like to learnabout and do the latter though, a little knowledge never hurts)
ironhead.76 NOV 30, 10:03 AM
The best source for research I have found thus far is allpar.com . I have found from personal experience a van motor differs from a car/truck motor. The van motor lacks the bosses for mid mount motor mounts they only have the front mounts. The 318 poly-spherical engine that ya'll can't find performance parts for is the "A" motor. From 68 to 92 (if my mind serves me correctly) is the "LA" motor. Now from 93 to 2002 is the Magnum engines. The castings from the Magnum engine is the same as the "LA" thus allowing for interchangeability. They make a 4 barrel intake for the magnum engine. During the fuel crises Mopar did not change any of the casting. They did toy with a concept they called "Lean burn" in the early 80's. The question is what application are you building the engine for? What are your expectations? What is your budget? Most importantly car, trans, gears, and tires? After these questions are answered you will notice an arrow pointed in a direction. You will notice things going together.
TONY_C NOV 30, 01:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by AL87:

from the short article that weasleback posted about a "stock" 318 making 415hp, I would be satisfied with that.

its not just about the power here, its also about the weight... (especially in a drag)

if I can make the same amount of horsepower that a 2005 corvette can make, then I'll be fine.

and personally I would rather tune a carbed engine over a computer controlled one.
(I'd like to learnabout and do the latter though, a little knowledge never hurts)



The 415HP in that article most likely is measured at the flywheel, not at the rear wheels like it's measured on a 2005 Vette or any other modern car. I think HP numbers switched from flywheel measurements to wheel measurements in 1973.

Tha Driver DEC 09, 09:00 AM
I haven't kept up with all the changes through the years, but I think what you want is a late '60s/early '70s engine. Stay away from the 360 unless you plan on buying a new crank: most (if not all) of them came with cast cranks. Forged cranks are available for them, though. If I'm not mistaken all of the 340's & 318's came with forged cranks. I do have a 340 out of a '71 Roadrunner ("Coyote Duster" engine) that I would sell, but I'm not giving it away. Stock it was 340 HP & 340 ft. lbs. of torque. I have $600 in rebuilding the rare "W" heads at a reputable race shop. The W heads came with huge valves, & breathed really well. It has 41,000 miles on it, but it's been sitting for decades dis-assembled in a crate. I also have a single plane aluminum intake to go on it. I have 2 or 3 early '70s era thermoquad carbs, if you want to go old skool. These engines came with what Chrysler called a "purple" camshaft; fairly aggressive but not a race cam by any means. I was planning to build it up to around 450 HP & put in a street rod, but 35 years later I've never found the body I want (early '30s Mopar).
I also have a 318 out of an early '80s van, that I had in my Z car. It has 360 heads (bigger valves, but lower compression), & aluminum dual plane intake. I have a turbo kit for it with a priority valve & was thinking about putting it either back in the Z car or finding a 'Cuda body for it.
Too many projects, too little time...
EDIT: mymopar.com has some great folks for advice.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts

[This message has been edited by Tha Driver (edited 12-09-2012).]