I have a 1987 Dodge D150 with a 318 and I'm looking for some more power in it. But I'm a novice when it comes to this. I'm looking to get about 350+ hp out of it.
1) Get the original 318 rebuilt and modified to the horsepower goal
2) Get a bigger engine and modify to the horsepower goal
What is the biggest size engine I can drop in without doing any extensive work. I'm looking for something that fits in the current mounts, works with the transmission (727 I think). I don't know the cheapest way to acheive this and I dont have any numbers on the engines out there and the power of them. If anyone out there has ever rebuilt a 318 to this power or dropped in a bigger engine of it, please tell me.
Looking to spend under $2,000
Speed Dragon
04-03-2008, 08:15 PM
Cheapest way to 350hp would be to drop in a cammed 360 w/ shaved heads. Although I think you'll have to shell out for a good set of heads, like J or X heads w/ some minor porting. Headers and duals also, of course. Single plane intake and 750 carb.
Or if you money to spend on it, you can just buy a MP crate engine to drop in it, like this one:
http://www.bouchillonperformance.com/P4510851.asp
Delray Dude
04-04-2008, 08:14 AM
Nice truck.....if it's stock then most likely a 904 trans, but you never know...
looking for 300+ H.P. is achievable - but either you spend cubic dollars or cubic time
I'm basically going to do this with my truck - I have the fortune of having a '68 318 with the higher compression engine and I took the '87 318 out (it had a rod knock from P.O.. I'll port the swirl port heads - mate them to the 318 and use that cam and away we go!!!
360's will bolt in no problem, but torque converter balance is an issue.
Speed Dragon
04-04-2008, 08:37 AM
360's will bolt in no problem, but torque converter balance is an issue. You just have to buy a 360 converter.
Well, a 2k budget rules out the crate engine :) It'll be tough to get a 318 to 350hp w/ 2k. You could pull you current engine, rebuild it w/ new rings and bearings, do some port-matching and minor clean-up of the bowls and ports on the stock swirlport heads, install bigger valves, shave the heads down to increase compression, buy a good hot cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM or Mopar M1 intake, 750cfm carb, and you might break 300, maybe 320. Of course that's mostly guesswork on my part :D
Fnix
04-04-2008, 10:31 AM
I live in an apartment complex so it's unfortunate to me as I cant "DIY", nor do I have the tools. Does anyone have suggestions on if I bought a 360 and took it to a shop that specializes in rebuilding and upgrading engines?
Delray Dude
04-04-2008, 10:56 AM
Any good machine shop is capable of building an engine to what you want - but the drop off and get it done for cheap won't get you too much - and will most likely take time - 4-6 weeks if they are doing it.
Is this a daily driver or a toy you are tinkering with?
Another possible option is to find another rebuildable small block 318 or 360 (and a 340 if you are lucky) for dirt cheap and build that one up at a machine shop, and then once it's ready a shop can do the R&R within a day or two which would minimize on truck downtime and costs. You can most likely get a complete engine for next to nothing (I picked up a complete running 1970 318 from air cleaner to oil pan for $100.00). I obviously took that engine - did the quick stuff - new bearings and seals and freeze plugs - dropped that in my truck to get her running - very stock but reliable 318 that will run for quite some time and I can build the "nasty" motor at my leisure.
One thing to consider if you do go to a 360 over a 318 aside from the converter - the original oil pan will not work - you will have to get a 360 truck pan (if the motor isn't out of a truck). Car pans (for either 318 or 360) will not work with the trucks - major clearance issues as truck ones are rear sump.
Most auto repair shops will farm out the machining and engine building and charge you for it at a profit - you would save a few bucks dealing directly with a machine shop and then take the finished (or near finished motor) to a repair place that would do the swap.
Fnix
04-04-2008, 04:42 PM
I was checking this 360 out near me- But I dont know what the specs are on it and if there will be a noticable power differance. It is very cheap.
"This is a Autozone remanufactured engine that has 3000 miles on it. It is bone stock except for an Edlebrock aluminum intake manifold. I bought this engine to put into a project car that I have, but my employment situation has changed so it must go. I have all the bolt-ons for the engine (alternator, fan blade, linkages etc.) The price is $500 firm."
Speed Dragon
04-04-2008, 11:30 PM
That's a good price. You'll definitely notice the power difference over the 318.
Fnix
04-05-2008, 09:43 AM
How much extra money do you think I'd need to spend getting it compatible?
Delray Dude
04-05-2008, 12:48 PM
looks like it's got the truck pan - thats good - a new converter for the trans and you should be good to go
Speed Dragon
04-05-2008, 01:17 PM
+1 ^ You'll also need a carb, new Holleys and Eddys are about 300 bucks.
bherder
04-05-2008, 04:14 PM
It looks like a good engine, but I still think I'd be wary of anything from Autozone .... I'm sure they farm out their rebuilds, but they generally are known for selling garbage.....
Anyplace that I walk into, with nothing but 18 year-olds behind the counter... And you say the word "carburetor" and they give you that 'Quizzical Dog Look' ...... Mmmmmmm...... Not my kinda' place.
The important thing is... Is it a REBUILT engine, or a REMANUFACTURED engine. There is a HUGE difference. As always, you get what you pay for, and if something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.....
doodlebug
04-05-2008, 05:57 PM
It looks like a good engine, but I still think I'd be wary of anything from Autozone .... I'm sure they farm out their rebuilds, but they generally are known for selling garbage.....
Anyplace that I walk into, with nothing but 18 year-olds behind the counter... And you say the word "carburetor" and they give you that 'Quizzical Dog Look' ...... Mmmmmmm...... Not my kinda' place.
The important thing is... Is it a REBUILT engine, or a REMANUFACTURED engine. There is a HUGE difference. As always, you get what you pay for, and if something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.....
Couldn't agree more bhearder. :)
impuresoul2k3
04-05-2008, 09:42 PM
REBUILT engine, or a REMANUFACTURED engine.
What's the difference?
mikehopkinsjr
04-06-2008, 12:45 AM
Yea wheres that 360 at, cause I mean thats real cheap for only 3k miles... I do need a new engine.
bherder
04-06-2008, 12:47 AM
What's the difference?
Oh man .... I knew someone was going to ask... :D :D :D
OK... Legally... You COULD take an engine with 500,000 miles on it... Put a new water pump on it and Technically and Legally call it a 'rebuilt' engine.
Honest? No. Fair? No. But you can....
So, you could take an engine that you put rebuilt heads on it and advertise it as 'rebuilt', but NOT 'remanufactured'.... With me so far, so good? ;)
A 'rebuilt' engine could be a 'New bearings ... New rings ... Reground cam ... USED this n' that .... You really don't know what you're getting or what has really been done..
A typical REMANUFACTORED engine will be MACHINED to specs. It will have NEW parts (Like pistons, rings, camshaft, lifters, valves, springs, guides, rods, bearings, oil pump, etc etc...)
A 'rebuilt' engine could be... 'honed' cylinders, not machined to absolute specs... Used/cleaned up pistons, not new. Reground valves, not new. Reground valve seats, not new. Shimmed valve springs, not new. Knurled valve guides, not new. A reground cam, not new. Used push rods, not new. Used rockers and rocker shaft, not new. Used connecting rods/wrist pins, not new. ... OK, you see now where I'm going with this.....
A remanufactured engine will have more NEW parts in it than anything else...
The 'common' factor would be the 'new/reground' crankshaft/bearings, which is not a bad thing, but at the same time pretty damn important... But I'd still not trust a place where ... Ask them if they know what 'plastigauge' is.... :D :D :D
I'm not sure if I cleared any of this up or not... I tried, though... ;)
