Performer RPM Cylinder Heads For S/B Chrysler
Wow, thanks for all the great information!!
I was thinking it might be better to get a 360 crate engine so as to get more modern heads and valve train, but, I will have to put some more thought into this.
As for Abbotsford and Saskatchewan. I was working in Saskatchewan until 2012, but, was transferred to BC in 2012.
Thanks again!
What's the rest of your combo look like?
If it's performance you're after, you can't go wrong with a crate Magnum.And they come in several flavors. And even the smallest one will more than double your current power with a 273 2bbl. And probably triple your torque.
But if you just want a lil more pep for your early-A, a 380 crate is waaay more than you need. Remember that SBM horsepower always goes hand in hand with increased rpm, and rpm is always accompanied by increased mph. So to effectively use that horsepower, you rapidly run out of legal mph.
Take my combo for instance. It makes peak power at about 5400rpm. The top of the curve is broad and flat and it likes to be shifted at maybe 6200. Well with typical street gears, which can barely be satisfactorily driven on the hiway, being 3.55s ; 6200 would be 55mph with an auto and 5% TC slip. I have a stick, and a very low first gear, so for me,6200 is 45mph. Having a stick also means I can slip the clutch out to where peak torque is and instantly fry the tires. With an auto, you would not be able to do that, the TC may hold your launch rpm to something like 2250 to say as high as 2800, and your starter gear is only 3.55 x 2.45 =8.70, compared to my 10.97.
The point I'm getting to is that even tho the crate engine might have 380 hp, you may not be able to access all of it on the start line.Maybe not even half of it.I'm guessing only 100 to 120 ftlbs at say 2800 rpm. Well your average stock318LA can make that too! A Magnum can do a little better.
So you have to be careful when going after power. Many times you will get way more power than you need at 50 mph, and not enough at 2800rpm on the start line,lol.
When that happens as it so often does, then you look to TM(TorqueMultiplication), to make up the difference from what you got to what you need/want. And pretty soon you are running 3.91s, and the car can no longer cruise comfortably on the hiway. And so that leads to an overdrive transmission, or a deep low gear, or both!.. Lotsa more money,in any case.So if you are currently running a 2.76 rear gear, you might as well figure on ditching that right away, for 3.23s minimum with an automatic, and at least 3.55s with a stick.
But if you're just looking for more torque, to buzz around town with, there's a much cheaper way to achieve that.And it may not even involve a crate engine.
