318 build, my first engine build
Build for the gear, with 2.94 gears your not gonna spend much time above 4000 rpm.
A similar built 360 an optimal gear would be in the 4.10-4.56 range and acceptable compromise would be 3.55. A 318 needs about two steps higher (0.5:1) to have similar performance. To me 3.91 should be the least gear for any decent cammed 318 or accept your leaving a lot of power unused.
Thats a dyno of a 360 380hp create engine.
From 5000-6000 rpm it basically making the top power of 400 hp. But at 3800 rpm its down about 100 hp and by 2800 rpm its down another 100 hp making only half.
Less gearing gives you less rpm per mph.
Giving you less hp at any given mph to use to accelerate your car. Better to cam for more under 2000 rpm power even at the expense of 4500 rpm plus power. Especially if your not spending any real time up there.
Basically what Im saying its not worth trading 25-50 hp at the bottom for 25-50 hp at the top.
I probably wouldn't go bigger than comp xe262hl or similar with those gears.
With 360 heads and decent cr should put you at 1 hp per cid around 5000 rpm and 1.15 lbs-ft per cid a 1000-1500 rpm lower.
Could also run deeper 1st and 2nd gear. Will make stop light to stop light action a little more fun.
Build for the gear, with 2.94 gears your not gonna spend much time above 4000 rpm.
A similar built 360 an optimal gear would be in the 4.10-4.56 range and acceptable compromise would be 3.55. A 318 needs about two steps higher (0.5:1) to have similar performance. To me 3.91 should be the least gear for any decent cammed 318 or accept your leaving a lot of power unused.
Thats a dyno of a 360 380hp create engine.
From 5000-6000 rpm it basically making the top power of 400 hp. But at 3800 rpm its down about 100 hp and by 2800 rpm its down another 100 hp making only half.
Less gearing gives you less rpm per mph.
Giving you less hp at any given mph to use to accelerate your car. Better to cam for more under 2000 rpm power even at the expense of 4500 rpm plus power. Especially if your not spending any real time up there.
Basically what Im saying its not worth trading 25-50 hp at the bottom for 25-50 hp at the top.
I probably wouldn't go bigger than comp xe262hl or similar with those gears.
With 360 heads and decent cr should put you at 1 hp per cid around 5000 rpm and 1.15 lbs-ft per cid a 1000-1500 rpm lower.
Could also run deeper 1st and 2nd gear. Will make stop light to stop light action a little more fun.