LA 360 budget build ideas

I’m a bit with @AJ/FormS on this.

9.0-1 is certainly enough! Oh yes!
So you have an engine now?
This is what I would do;

Once your block has a balanced assembly in it….
The stock letter heads (J. Z, O, etc..) with back cut valves and a competition valve job should be done. 750 carb, Edelbrock RPM (air gap a plus) & headers.

Camshaft wise, (it’s just simply hard to get them now,)
1; It will depend on what it’s going in,
2; How heavy the vehicle is,
3; gear ratio and tire size,
4; if you willing to change converters or not. If not, the smallest cam I’d run for this endeavor would be ether of these below;
Howard’s cams;
DODGE Howards Cams 711451-08 Howards Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts | Summit Racing
DODGE Howards Cams 711651-10 Howards Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts | Summit Racing

These cams will get the job done. A larger duration cam moves the power band up.

If the stock OEM heads are not suitable for some reason, then I would use Edelbrock heads. If you have the coin, roller rockers would be a plus for there accurate ratio over the stamped steel OEM offerings.

2-1/2 “H” piped exhaust. Summit turbo mufflers or Hooker Aero Chambers


Your over building. Not a bad thing!
10-1 is where most people would go. Not a big deal.
Ported heads aren’t needed. BUT!!!!! More flow doesn’t hurt. The thing is here is the camshaft needed doesn’t need a high lift. At best, a OEM head can use a bowl porting. Most of the lift will need a good valve job and a better valve… or at least a back cutting.

Stock ignition? Perish the thought!!!
If you have an electronic ignition, use at the minimum, the Chrysler Chrome box or a FBO box.
Modest headers? WFT is modest headers? (LOL!)
Modest camshaft? Again as above. There are dozens smaller than what I listed.

A bit of a FWIW…. A long way back when Dodge entered the Craftsman cup truck series…. The small block engines made 750hp @ a rule limited 9.0-1 ratio.
I plan on having the block bored and honed with tork plates as well as having the rings file fitted while the torque plates are still on the block, what do you think?