350-400hp budget build 360 ideas???

dusterdan said

i recently purchased a 71' 360 with 727 trans that's never been apart and only had 60,000 original miles. this is the factory 2-bbl engine rated at 255hp as is. this motor has the 1.88 J heads. what are some economical ways to get about 350hp-400hp from this setup? i was thinking 2.02 valves, higher compression pistons, cam etc... i'd like to spend under $2,000. i have acquired an edelbrock performer rpm air-gap intake manifold and i also have a 600cfm thermoquad. this is going in a street driven duster with 3.91 gears. i'm 20 years onld and this is my first engine build so any and all advice is greatly appreciated! thanks again everybody!!!

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I'd get some Keith Black HyperEutectics they'll get your pistons higher in the bore and increase compression quite a bit. Funny the 360 KBs are cheaper than the 318 KBs. I think it has something to do with a larger bore and a longer stroke makes for a shorter piston overall. There's a website called 'enginekits.com' that will sell you a complete kit to rebuild the bottom end of your motor and allow you to swap in the Hypers for a small price. Much cheaper than buying the set by itself. Quite a deal, go for the Master Kit. You get mains, rod bearing, gasket set etc., everything you need. I think your going to need an adapter plate to bolt that TQ onto an airgap intake. TQs are 'spreadbore' the secondaries are larger than the primaries and the Airgap is made for a 'squarebore' where all throttle plates are the same size. The TQ needs extra room for the secondaries to open otherwise they will hit. Look at different intakes on Summit you'll notice some will have a larger opening on one side to accommodate for spreadbore carbs. I have a 800 cfm TQ for my 318 I am building, they are nice because even though they are overrated for the motor the use of a 'air valve secondary' allows the engine to only use what it needs for flow. It takes a little adjusting to get it right by setting the spring tension while the engine is running but they are worth it.