1998 360 Magnum cam help

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wes beem

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I got a 360 magnum from a 1998 dodge ram with 97K miles on it. Im looking to do a mild build and bump up my power. I'm not looking for anything crazy, i wont be taking it to the drag strip although i might be getting into a bit of trouble around town :D I want to be able to use regular cheap pump fuel and i dont want to kill my mileage TOO badly...Dont want single digits..No point in having it if i cant afford to drive it. Can i get some Cam recommendations? I'm not looking to change my heads or bore it out ext. but i see mopar makes a 360 crate motor that makes 320 from the factory, so i should be able to at least make that?

I should also add that ill be ditching the fuel injection and running an eddelbrock 4bbl carb intake with shorty headers and electric ignition. I know some folks swear by long tube headers but the roads where i live are way too uneven and have too many unavoidable potholes, i cant have long headders dragging on the ground allover throwing sparks.
 
its all stock at the moment just as it would have come out of the 98 ram
 
I would call Hughes engines. Dave specd a cam for me when wanted to assemble a similar combo
 
The 320 or 300 HP crate, is nothing but a factory 5.9 Longblock with a carb and intake swap. No cam swap needed to reach those levels
 
my motor is making 300 already just cuz of the carb/intake? Factory fuel injection on those must SUCK.
 
Dude go fender well headers. Squeeze as much potential power as you can out of that Bad boy!
 
I have a 360 mag (30 over) on an engine stand and it has the comp 20-604-9 cam and ported iron heads . The motor was supposed to have been dynode but the info I have is sketchy but here is what I have for this combo , 417 hp @ 5500 426 tq @ 4500 . So if these numbers are anything close to real it should be a fun street motor .
 
there are two fairly extensive threads on this already.

one has the limits of the factory head castings RE cam lift.

IIRC the crate HP numbers are old school "gross" versus the factory installed "net" of the 5.9 at 245, so that unmodified 320 HP crate gross is the stock 245 net.
 
I'll just cut to the point this thread will likely go in 16 more posts-

"just" stroke it to 416, get a 3500 RPM converter, a solid roller cam, aluminum heads, and put it on the bottle.


oh, and "agree" on the 512 lift cam
 
my motor is making 300 already just cuz of the carb/intake? Factory fuel injection on those must SUCK.
What are you "upgrading" from???

300 gross would be about correct. Net is 245. And no the FI isn't all that bad either. If you were to put the FI 360 in a 3200 lb car, it would run quite well. My reg cab/2wd 2001 Ram weighs 5000 lbs with no end gate or spare tire. Then add in wind resistance, and the rotating drive train of 9 1/4 rear end, HD Tranny, tight converter, they actually don't do to bad when all this considered.
 
What are you "upgrading" from???

300 gross would be about correct. Net is 245. And no the FI isn't all that bad either. If you were to put the FI 360 in a 3200 lb car, it would run quite well. My reg cab/2wd 2001 Ram weighs 5000 lbs with no end gate or spare tire. Then add in wind resistance, and the rotating drive train of 9 1/4 rear end, HD Tranny, tight converter, they actually don't do to bad when all this considered.


I currently have a 318 magnum with the eddelbrock 4bbl carb intake and headers
 
I currently have a 318 magnum with the eddelbrock 4bbl carb intake and headers
then you may want to consider some head work along with the cam to completely satisfy what you are hoping to gain. The 360 will offer more, especially off the line, but the 318 mag has the same heads and compression, and a "tad" more cam than the factory 360 mag.
 
I have a 360 mag (30 over) on an engine stand and it has the comp 20-604-9 cam and ported iron heads . The motor was supposed to have been dynoed but the info I have is sketchy but here is what I have for this combo , 417 hp @ 5500 426 tq @ 4500 . So if these numbers are anything close to real it should be a fun street motor .
Bet it's right. Mine with no porting runs real good. :steering:
 
Stock 165,000 mile 5.9 ext cab 4200# Dakota R/T with 3.92 gear

Will boil the tires sideways until I let up.
 
Mopar Action did an article on a JY 360 magnum. I believe they did end up changing the heads (original ones were cracked). They made over 425hp for $2500 and that included the engine. I will see if I can located the article.
 
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