NC Engine Builder
Grumpy Old Man
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2008
- Messages
- 7,245
- Reaction score
- 12,242
Not 100% certain yet, but shooting for next weekWhen’s the dyno scheduled?
Not 100% certain yet, but shooting for next weekWhen’s the dyno scheduled?
Oops! I forgot to move the decimal point to the right two times.That’s only 4.082hp. Quite the underachiever.

Any idea what size the headers will be?Not 100% certain yet, but shooting for next week
Most likely a set of Doug's, 1 5/8 but I do have a set of the old hooker 1 3/4 ones, I might try bothAny idea what size the headers will be?
Please do. I have been told often that my headers are too big, but I have not seen an apparent loss of torque. I'm my case, I'm using the headers that either came with the car, (custom builds)or swap meet specials. So, not much choice available, unlike, say, a small block camaro. (I even have some headers that I KNOW are too big, that I'm not using)Most likely a set of Doug's, 1 5/8 but I do have a set of the old hooker 1 3/4 ones, I might try both
The plan is to do the testing, then put the engine up for sale@NC Engine Builder is this engine going to a client or is there a possibility of more testing on it in the future?
That’s a better set of heads than I’ve ever used on a 318.
The question for me is how will the good heads/small cam combo respond on the short stroke/high RR combo.
One would think it should be a little screamer…….. it’ll be interesting to see if that’s how it will play out.
Magnum and not an LA?I assume you have seen this build( I bought the motor and ran a detuned, 231/237 cam version of it) in a 71 duster I had prior to my Dart
3400 with me, mid 11’s almost 116, flat hood, standard water pump and fan, exhaust, etc.
1 5/8 hookers on the dyno, cheapie Chinese dual plane I used like they did
https://www.hotrod.com/how-to/0901phr-mopar-318-magnum-engine
I wonder as well. My theory was that the heads are pretty good for the cubic inch, and perhaps it will still make good power with less cam than would be typical. I will say I think the cam will be the limiting factor now, after hearing it run. It is quite docile.That’s a better set of heads than I’ve ever used on a 318.
The question for me is how will the good heads/small cam combo respond on the short stroke/high RR combo.
One would think it should be a little screamer…….. it’ll be interesting to see if that’s how it will play out.
Yes, magnum. But same size( bore/ stroke etc) difference without a distinctionMagnum and not an LA?
Magnum and not an LA?
That engine was an LA roller bottom end with magnum R/T heads according to the article.Yes, magnum. But same size( bore/ stroke etc) difference without a distinction
The roller bottom end doesn’t make it any more viable when running a flat tappet cam does it?That engine was an LA roller bottom end with magnum R/T heads according to the article.
I would expect there would be zero difference in power strictly due to the block difference between la/magnum all other parts being the sameThe roller bottom end doesn’t make it any more viable when running a flat tappet cam does it?
Trying to figure out why a 318 magnum block or 318 LA block would have a notable power difference power potential wise assuming the same cam was used(pistons, etc). Heads, sure. Those RT heads went 270’s at 600. Probably 40 or 50 horse better than the heads that will be used in this test, although they had a pretty suspect intake sitting on them
Absolutely zero difference in power production capabilities or viability.The roller bottom end doesn’t make it any more viable when running a flat tappet cam does it?
Trying to figure out why a 318 magnum block or 318 LA block would have a notable power difference power potential wise assuming the same cam was used(pistons, etc). Heads, sure. Those RT heads went 270’s at 600. Probably 40 or 50 horse better than the heads that will be used in this test, although they had a pretty suspect intake sitting on them
The other plus is the magnum is much newer, often the first rebuild on the block. The LA cores are so old now, getting a virgin one isnt common. Just like the core I used for this build, it had allready been rebuilt 2 or 3 times before I machined itThe only difference between LA, LA roller, or Magnum is how they oil, how they’re set up for camshafts (roller with holes drilled and tapped for a spider) and maybe some metallurgical differences with regards to nickel content. But I personally don’t think there is enough of a difference to make a significant difference in strength. Also people claim the magnums had better production machining practices and therefore are better but if you’re building an engine you’re machining it anyway.
The roller bottom end doesn’t make it any more viable when running a flat tappet cam does it?
Trying to figure out why a 318 magnum block or 318 LA block would have a notable power difference power potential wise assuming the same cam was used(pistons, etc). Heads, sure. Those RT heads went 270’s at 600. Probably 40 or 50 horse better than the heads that will be used in this test, although they had a pretty suspect intake sitting on them
I think the Magnum pistons are lighter. I also think the rings are narrower. The heads (if you are using stockers) are better with slightly larger valves and smaller stems. They are also a smaller closed chamber. And of course, the effeciency of the roller cam. Even the rockers have less resistance. 180° fulcrum vs 360° shaft rockers.
I will say I think the cam will be the limiting factor now, after hearing it run. It is quite docile.
I kept the cam conservative because I figured the eventual buyer will probably be more of a cruiser than a racer, and I wanted this build to be a "catalog" build anyone could duplicate without any trick parts or machine work. Maybe I'll build a racier version sometime laterI’m certain a “racier” cam would make more power, but would limit the buyer pool for the engine some.
I actually like the XS cams…..especially with the 1.6 rockers.
While the 274 isn’t big enough to make all the power that could be had out of that long block, I think it’ll be enough to be pretty good.
Eons ago when I was building some circle track 2bbl 318’s, the cams were about 10-15deg more duration, and tighter lsa…….. but no concessions for street use.
Yeah, it could stand more compression, but I would have had to mill the heads quite a bit, then possibly the intake, and that sorta deviated from the box-stock-bolt-together recipeI’m probably way over on my estimate ?
I had hoped the compression would have been a little more .
I was anticipating around 10.5 to 1 ,,, “Vain Hope”,,,Lol .
Tommy