Damn good info

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Princess Valiant

A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
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I've been toying with pulling the trigger on a magnum engine. I see them around but they seemed kinda foreign but now i think my dart is getting a magnum now that I know more of what is be getting into.

 
"True LS fighter? Doubt that. The heads are the big holdup, as with any other SB Mopar. Some claim that "in the extreme" more can be done with modified factory LA heads than can modded factory Mag heads.

Don't get too carried away. The main things are heads, cam, intake and exhaust system, and the pistons. I don't see much advantage, other than "what you have" or "what you can get"

I really don't care for stud rockers
 
My friend put a magnum 318 in place of the LA in his 69 Polara wagon, and it's a different car now. 4bbl intake and headers for a late 90's Dakota are all he put on. Got the engine and trans for $150.
 
I've been toying with pulling the trigger on a magnum engine. I see them around but they seemed kinda foreign but now i think my dart is getting a magnum now that I know more of what is be getting into.


I just installed the 408 Blueprint engine that uses a mid 90's 5.9 magnum block with Edelbrock aluminum heads & Air Gap manifold. The difference between that engine and the 1972 360 engine that I had in the car is dramatic. All the aluminum parts probably saved 75-100 pounds. I too would not go back to an LA engine unless I was doing a numbers matching build. You would be very happy with the magnum as long as you chose the correct pieces. Thanks for posting!
 
Stud rockers on Chevy V-8's since the 50's. Millions of them small and big block, Ford etc... They do work with upgrades.
 
I just installed the 408 Blueprint engine that uses a mid 90's 5.9 magnum block with Edelbrock aluminum heads & Air Gap manifold. The difference between that engine and the 1972 360 engine that I had in the car is dramatic. All the aluminum parts probably saved 75-100 pounds. I too would not go back to an LA engine unless I was doing a numbers matching build. You would be very happy with the magnum as long as you chose the correct pieces. Thanks for posting!


you went from a 360 to a 408 decked out with alumn parts? you aren't seeing a difference between a LA and magnum engine. you are seeing more a difference of a 360 and a built alum headed 408.
 
you went from a 360 to a 408 decked out with alumn parts? you aren't seeing a difference between a LA and magnum engine. you are seeing more a difference of a 360 and a built alum headed 408.
Right, but my point was the build was a magnum.
 
The really good and cheap EQ iron heads are not available any more and the stockers are prone to cracking. Have your heads checked before putting a lot of time or money into them.
 
My friend put a magnum 318 in place of the LA in his 69 Polara wagon, and it's a different car now. 4bbl intake and headers for a late 90's Dakota are all he put on. Got the engine and trans for $150.
This no doubt is true. My comments were specifically for the "bait title" "LS fighter". Just putting the now not available EQ replacement mag heads on an LA is an upgrade, although one wonders if it isn't mostly compression ratio increase. "I guess" the rockers are more ratio that must help some
 
Since the cracking problem was known 20 years ago the most modern manufactured replacement heads have been reinforced in those areas.
Magnum has been out of production since 2003.
The EQ's claim to fame was smoother castings with improved port shape. Not cracking resistance.
 
Just mention Uncle Tony and that will probably bring on the haters?
UT is a budget talking dude. I always like such.
One thing I like about the Magnum is how many peeps say they so many times need no overbore, that relates to $ saved for a driver. I now, the speed guys always like every thing perfect and that always costs more $$!??:thumbsup::BangHead::thankyou:
 
I'm going to watch the video I want to like the guy.. so let's see what he has to say this time.
 
This no doubt is true. My comments were specifically for the "bait title" "LS fighter". Just putting the now not available EQ replacement mag heads on an LA is an upgrade, although one wonders if it isn't mostly compression ratio increase. "I guess" the rockers are more ratio that must help some
It's like they all get Second Hand high through the screen when watching Uncle phonies garage. The Magnum heads are nothing to write home about pretty pathetic as a matter of fact that people get a hard-on for them. The best heads far as I know they quit making. Which leaves you with doing a lot of work on some aftermarket Ironhead if you're trying to maintain the Magnum is great **** because as soon as you switch to aluminum... it could be any engine non Magnum, wouldnt matter. 360 is a 360 ..just put some 9.1 pistons in it already.
 
Because that's all i can find, if you have better, then im all ears because i just want to learn this **** because im trying to be a mechanic here and i just need good info .....:poke: :D
I refuse to watch that crap. What do you want to learn?
If you get a Magnum engine... you will find a few things you'll need to do. The first thing is they don't fit any real spring in there that doesn't cost a few hundred bucks, aside from the mp spring thats kinda weak...so you have to cut spring seats so the heads have to come off...guides cleared to accommodate lift.... See ....to put a cam in them you have to have a bunch of work done to the heads and you might find that you need valves too because there's not much 8 millimeter crap out there to fit onto a real spring. As a short block... they're easy ,they're great with 9.1 comp. They have a roller cam, cool... put some real camshaft in it and you'll have to buy some beehives or some crap around 250 $300. Cut guides down...So I guess if you want to get a magnum ...be ready to cut for Springs buy valves, retainers, locks,guides,valve job...all that and push rods for the new cam.

Magnums and their 80 seat lbs and 195lbs open sitting in a 1.40 pocket..only option is the $160 set of mp springs.
 
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Magnum by name only.
Smog motor is the proper term.
I can't believe this guy is still peddling junkyard dog and people are still buying his line.
People would be better served to learn to read and buy a few of many books available on Mopar engines.
Some are written by guys that BTDT with proven results.
 
LA engines are good for the intended purpose. Magnum engines are good for their intended purpose, dramaquens and clickbait is only fun for so long.
If we have to compare the Magnum engines to a Chevy smallblock it would be the Vortech family.
Want to compare a LS to a Mopar? Gen3 hemi is the closest we get.
 
LA engines are good for the intended purpose. Magnum engines are good for their intended purpose, dramaquens and clickbait is only fun for so long.
If we have to compare the Magnum engines to a Chevy smallblock it would be the Vortech family.
Want to compare a LS to a Mopar? Gen3 hemi is the closest we get.
Vortecs will smoke Magnum heads.

All I know is one is a lot more work than people ever let on to for all these yrs.
They're all a bunch of work but I tell you what there's more work you'll have to put into a magnum head then you would into a LA head in the spring Pockets.
 
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If you’re building an aluminum headed stroker what’s the benefit of using a Magnum block over an LA? Possibly it’s still on the standard bore and it’s a “younger” casting. A better likelihood that the coolant passages aren’t all gunked up, and that it’s more readily available than a similar LA. And cost: That’s the biggest thing IMO. If the Magnum block is an early one with head oiling than you’re golden. Otherwise there are no power advantages as you’re replacing everything anyway, and it’s all LA based. The Magnum engines aren’t that special, just more around to pick from.
 
It's like they all get Second Hand high through the screen when watching Uncle phonies garage. The Magnum heads are nothing to write home about pretty pathetic as a matter of fact that people get a hard-on for them. The best heads far as I know they quit making. Which leaves you with doing a lot of work on some aftermarket Ironhead if you're trying to maintain the Magnum is great **** because as soon as you switch to aluminum... it could be any engine non Magnum, wouldnt matter. 360 is a 360 ..just put some 9.1 pistons in it already.

Magnum by name only.
Smog motor is the proper term.
I can't believe this guy is still peddling junkyard dog and people are still buying his line.
People would be better served to learn to read and buy a few of many books available on Mopar engines.
Some are written by guys that BTDT with proven results.

I don't disagree with anything if you're going to build an engine. My point was for $150 (or $75 if he sells the trans) a tired LA was replaced and a newer more lively engine was installed. The car came to life and was a blast to ride in.
 
Since the cracking problem was known 20 years ago the most modern manufactured replacement heads have been reinforced in those areas.
Magnum has been out of production since 2003.
The EQ's claim to fame was smoother castings with improved port shape. Not cracking resistance.

Actually, it is airflow. The main thing that matters.
 
There are plenty of peeps that want to just have a good running engine (driver) that do not intind to do a bunch of engine mods to be the faster kid on the block!
UT states his vid there is about budget and explaining some differences between the LA and Magnum.
UT could poop out a solid gold engine block and is haters would all it poop!
But the god thing about our FABO sire is we can discuss and give different opinions and info. Some opinions might be better than others.
UTG Is what it is. I like the replaced Yankee. He is entertaining. I have bought parts from him a few years ago before his vid stuff. He and his wife are good people. I just hope he has learned to like cheesy grits and say "you all"/:thankyou::poke::popcorn:
 
"True LS fighter? Doubt that. The heads are the big holdup, as with any other SB Mopar. Some claim that "in the extreme" more can be done with modified factory LA heads than can modded factory Mag heads.

Don't get too carried away. The main things are heads, cam, intake and exhaust system, and the pistons. I don't see much advantage, other than "what you have" or "what you can get"

I really don't care for stud rockers

Is that quote from that video? I can’t watch it right now.
 
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