79 360 cam selection

1wild&crazyguy said
He's using stock pistons/short block w/pistons that are way down in the hole, the closed chamber 'might' raise the comp a lil, but they'll be no quench to counter detonation in that sense.

They flow alright stock, but after that they don't when comparing ported mag vs LA, the mag has a few cfm in the .200-.300, but we are lifting the valve more in this guys example and spending more time in the lift range where the LA heads shine.

but if he could get some and wanted to change to the mag intake,push rods,rockers,valve covers and upper hose outlet, he could.

If pushing the compression to the edge of pump gas was the goal, with pistons down that far...it would still be a dismal gain for all the work/$$$ into it.

This is exactly what I have. Stock late '70's pistons (flat top), 0.060" down the hole, etc. There won't be ideal quench, but if you've ever taken the heads off a stock magnum 360 (I have), you'll find the pistons are still down the hole about .040 and are dished. They also run a 0.054" head gasket and I run LA head gaskets which are 0.041". What he would end up with would be within the factory tolerances for a stock 93+ 360 magnum. If the LA heads were better they would have kept them.

I've also been running 16 degrees of timing up front and 36 total (in at 2200rpm) with a 4-speed on 89 with no pinging.

If you're buying an intake anyway, the mag intake is hardly different in price. Junkyard the heads and rockers, and head bolts, buy some 7.650" pushrods and you're ready to go. "LA" valve covers bolt right on.

The average set of LA heads are in need of a valve job, and have all the same spring limitations as the magnum heads. Most people also aren't going to spend the money to get serious head milling done (would make up the price difference for the magnum parts), and then you still end up with an open chamber turd anyway. Magnum heads start at 10cc smaller than LA heads to begin with.

Case in point...I've been trying to sell a decent set of 2.02 intake "J" heads with good springs and bronze valve guides that came with the 340 I bought....and there's been little to no interest. I don't think that's a coincidence.