Today, dollar for dollar, is the 318 faster than the 340 ???

would you agree ?

  • yep, the 318 wins if buying and building for under 3k

    Votes: 48 41.7%

  • Nope, the 340 always has and always will beat the 318

    Votes: 57 49.6%

  • Actually, never thought about it like this... Good Point !

    Votes: 10 8.7%
  • Total voters
    115
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This is what my mag cost
Knock off air gap 150
Cam 125
Springs 85
Timing chain 70
Hi vol water pump 70
MP dizzy 85
Carb 150
Radiator 100
MSD 100
904 trans 100
3500 converter 100
Reverse valve body 100
Reman 8 3/4 200
Fresh long block 350
Misc 300

I got a screaming deal on the long block, most everything is reman
So I have 2 k in it @400 hp
 
@318wr so when you put this question out there, did you make sure to put your coffee down so you didn't spill it. I know you had to be laughing your tail off the whole time. "I wonder how many heads will explode on this one" lol I couldnt stop laughing. Good thing my coffee was almost gone!
 
Darter6 said:
I've always favored "Use What Ya Got"
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That’s about the whole point there now ain’t it?

It’s amazing how the thread went sideways with people ignoring the basic thread title and the parameters of the OP’s posts describing the limiting points or people just pulling on 318WR’s leg for fun. It’s super annoying to read people justifying there choice when it isn’t part of the choices.

Might as well invite LS guys into the forum to argue.

What could have been a interesting discussion has turned into a circus by others for what I see to be IMO, for their own fun.
 
I guess it boils down to budget and availability. I can only speak for myself. If I had a free or low cost 5.2, then Oregon regrind. 218/224 .530 lift. Airgap clone. 650 Edelbrock avs or whatever could be had on the cheap. Summit 1 5/8 headers and go have fun.

Magnum heads outflow any stock LA head. Of course, porting changes everything. I don't need to compete with a "built" 340. 300-320 makes for satisfying performance with bolt on parts.
If I'm going to buy new pistons it will be a bigger motor. I rented a vehicle. 300hp v6 Challenger, and boy was it much fun.
 
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FWIW……
Here is a quick look at what Summit Racing has for pistons for the 318 & 340.

318’s slugs below.
Hyper-U’s
KB-167, flat top, 5cc relief … $391
KB-399, dome, +6cc …………. $348
($43 in saving for the dome piston, interesting…. More compression!)

Forged
Icon IC844 flat top, 4.70cc @ $659
Icon IC845 dome @ 4.90cc @ $659

340 slugs below
KB243 (The only hyper-U) flat top 5cc @ $323
(All forged below)
Speed Pro L-2316F (forged) flat top 7.5cc $366
Ross 99626 dome @ 12.60 cc $638
Ross 99625 flat top 5.5cc $640
 
Mopar44134 said:
@318wr so when you put this question out there, did you make sure to put your coffee down so you didn't spill it. I know you had to be laughing your tail off the whole time. "I wonder how many heads will explode on this one" lol I couldnt stop laughing. Good thing my coffee was almost gone!
Click to expand...
only one thing.... I don't drink coffee :D
 
rumblefish360 said:
FWIW……
Here is a quick look at what Summit Racing has for pistons for the 318 & 340.

318’s slugs below.
Hyper-U’s
KB-167, flat top, 5cc relief … $391
KB-399, dome, +6cc …………. $348

Forged
Icon IC844 flat top, 4.70cc @ $659
Icon IC845 dome @ 4.90cc @ $659

340 slugs below
KB243 (The only hyper-U) flat top 5cc @ $323
(All forged below)
Speed Pro L-2316F (forged) flat top 7.5cc $366
Ross 99626 dome @ 12.60 cc $638
Ross 99625 flat top 5.5cc $640
Click to expand...
Interesting, the teen slugs are a bit more money. Not enough to break the bank though. I wonder the compression would be with the KB399's and a 68 cc head?
 
toolmanmike said:
Interesting, the teen slugs are a bit more money. Not enough to break the bank though. I wonder the compression would be with the KB399's and a 68 cc head?
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As always…. The least produced part is more expensive.
Compression calculator here.
Compression Ratio Calculator - Wallace Racing
(11.57-1 at a zero deck height 60cc (TF) head and a .038 X 4.18 head gasket. 10.37-1 @ 68cc’s.)
 
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toolmanmike said:
Interesting, the teen slugs are a bit more money. Not enough to break the bank though. I wonder the compression would be with the KB399's and a 68 cc head?
Click to expand...
But with a 1500 more-dollar budget, a set of pistons and a set of Promaxx heads really puts the squeeze on the 340 build, trying to get the 340 together for your 1500 plus add performance parts. Now, just think if you start with a 5.2 magnum... better compression and heads... even if you gave 300 for it, 2700 thrown at the 5.2 vs 1500 on a tore down 340... yikes !! The 318 is looking like the faster motor IF you don't have a motor and your budget is around 3k. I love both engines. However, those that are "340 only" folks have not produced a rebuild-build that says "this is my build and the 318 would be done".
 
If there is one thing for sure, you should be able to get the 318 up and running before the 340 on a cost basis of cheaper (since your saving a lot of money by not getting a unknown quality 340 block) and very well possible quicker since many already have the 318 to start with.

I have not yet had a 273. I have and had all the others stock displacement sizes. Just for fun and only for fun, I’d thought I’d waste some money and build a 318 just for @AustinGriggs 318 fest he has every year.
 
318willrun said:
so you got the 318 as the faster engine too. I agree, on a small budget one can't afford to spend half of it on a disassembled 340.
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That's a big negatory. The 318 is a neat little motor, but will never touch the 340. I don't play the budget game. You get what you can afford.
 
rumblefish360 said:
If there is one thing for sure, you should be able to get the 318 up and running before the 340 on a cost basis of cheaper and very well possible quicker since many already have the 318 to start with.
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Precisely my point. With todays prices on 340's, if the budget is ... even 4k or under, i think the 318 wins the race. And... I'm a pro-340 guy. But, I'm a realist. I've never been the guy that says "I'll push my mopar before I ride in your Chevy". I'll tell ya, if my mopar leaves me along the side of the road on a hot/humid day, I'll gladly get in your A/C Chivvy and take the ride, and pay you for your lift !!!!
 
Johnny Dart said:
That's a big negatory. The 318 is a neat little motor, but will never touch the 340. I don't play the budget game. You get what you can afford.
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I get the 340 crowd is proud. I'm pro-340 too, but I'm a realist. You stating "you don't play the budget game" is the same is saying the 340 is beat, realistically, if the dimes are around 3k.
 
rumblefish360 said:
And is t that what this is all about?
Not everyone has your budget. What ever it is.
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the "340 only" guys know that on a modest budget they are up a creek. But, to say the 318 gets the win in a race is a migraine they can't live with... and the truth is everyone here would prefer to start with the 340 if both engines were already in the garage.
 
so here.... means the 340 folks just want to throw up (I'm mean throw out....) 340 340 340 and not produce an actual 3k build.... I'll help the thread.
 
When I started to ponder upgrading for a little more HP from our 273. My initial plan was go 318. Even tho I had a complete 340 here(needed teardown) I was looking for "maybe" 325 hp.
With help of a few people on here and my machinist(mopar guy), went thru a few different options. Cost of 318 pistons and balancing made ZERO sense $$ wise, that right there was close if not over $1000.
Machinist gave me a great deal on 340 shortblock.
All depends what you can do yourself to HAVE FUN and save $$.
Lol the 340 is still on the stand.
rumblefish360 said:
FWIW……
Here is a quick look at what Summit Racing has for pistons for the 318 & 340.

318’s slugs below.
Hyper-U’s
KB-167, flat top, 5cc relief … $391
KB-399, dome, +6cc …………. $348
($43 in saving for the dome piston, interesting…. More compression!)

Forged
Icon IC844 flat top, 4.70cc @ $659
Icon IC845 dome @ 4.90cc @ $659

340 slugs below
KB243 (The only hyper-U) flat top 5cc @ $323
(All forged below)
Speed Pro L-2316F (forged) flat top 7.5cc $366
Ross 99626 dome @ 12.60 cc $638
Ross 99625 flat top 5.5cc $640
Click to expand...

toolmanmike said:
Interesting, the teen slugs are a bit more money. Not enough to break the bank though. I wonder the compression would be with the KB399's and a 68 cc head?
Click to expand...
 
318willrun said:
so here.... means the 340 folks just want to throw up (I'm mean throw out....) 340 340 340 and not produce an actual 3k build.... I'll help the thread.
Click to expand...


A used Strip Dominator. That’s a couple of hundred bucks. Maybe less on a good buddy deal. I’d spend the 650 for a BLP BX4 carb and put it together myself. 180 bucks for a Howard’s cam that I pick the lobes. Regrind the lifters if they ain’t shot. I do my own head work and the valve jobs is about 200 bucks for what I use. I would be less if I could get on the seat and guide machine to do it myself, but I’m retired and I pay someone I trust to do that.

Where am I on price??? That right there is about the 1300 dollar mark. So I’d work some over time, take back pop cans, stick the old lady out on the corner...whatever it took to scrounge up the money for a set of 5204 Hookers and send that beeeeeeotch.

I’d be slightly over budget but still in the realm of doable for most anyone with an above minimum wage job who doesn’t have a drug habit and can manage his money at least a bit better than your average monkey at the zoo.

And I suggest 1500 is on the high side. You can shop around and save 500 bucks or so on the 340.

That’s how I’d do it. Everyone’s MMV.
 
I'd start with a freshly bored 328 over a 1000 -1500 340 core engine.
 
diymirage said:
dollar for dollar, im going option 4...build a 360 instead, magnum style so i got roller rockers and can run "off the shelf oil"
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In some cases 360s cost just as much and are just as hard to find as 340s. Magnums not so much but La's are getting scarce
 
ch1ll said:
View attachment 1715756812

NHRA stock eliminator
cheater cam .462 lift 336 duration intake, .473 lift 348 duration exhaust on 108 centerline
5.88 gears
stock carb
fenderwell headers
full interior, bench seat.
I believe this car has been a race car since new, showed 30,000 some miles on the clock.
I'm pretty sure this motor was built by a stock eliminator specialist back in the day.
I tried to get as much out of the guy as I could cause when I saw the 2 barrel carb, I knew it had to be a 318 which the guy confirmed.
I was stunned to say the least.

I'll take one of those stickers.
Click to expand...
I live for those kind of pictures and stories. Sweet!
 
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