450-500HP 360?

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60Powerwagon

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So I currently have a mild 360 I’m putting new rings and bearings in that’s.060 over for my Duster. I also have a 360 in a ‘79 D250 that is completely stock. I’m wanting to build the ‘79 360 while the other motor is in the car so when it goes I have another to put in. What will it take to make 450-500hp out of the ‘79 360? I should have a while before I need it so that will be ideal, but what all will I need other than the obvious torque converter? Appreciate any advice.
 
60Powerwagon said:
So I currently have a mild 360 I’m putting new rings and bearings in that’s.060 over for my Duster. I also have a 360 in a ‘79 D250 that is completely stock. I’m wanting to build the ‘79 360 while the other motor is in the car so when it goes I have another to put in. What will it take to make 450-500hp out of the ‘79 360? I should have a while before I need it so that will be ideal, but what all will I need other than the obvious torque converter? Appreciate any advice.
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You'll need to do a lot of mods in order to be around 500 HP. I run a stroked 360 in my Dart, bored .070 over, custom ground crank, 6" small block chevy rods, 13.9:1 domed pistons, W2 heads, cam and torque converter to match the set up, Victor W2 intake with a Holley 1050 Dominator.
There are other components you could use, such as Indy 360-1 heads instead of the W2s, but I hope you now have the beginnings of a picture of a path you could take with your engine.
 
My 416” made 500 hp on a dyno with ported iron heads, a decent size solid flat tappet cam, Holley Strip Dominator intake, 850 carb and 1 5/8” step headers.

Strokers usually make more overall power because of the extra volume. Like said, put some heads on it that flow over 250 cfm to take advantage of that and you’ll get there.
 
60Powerwagon said:
So I currently have a mild 360 I’m putting new rings and bearings in that’s.060 over for my Duster. I also have a 360 in a ‘79 D250 that is completely stock. I’m wanting to build the ‘79 360 while the other motor is in the car so when it goes I have another to put in. What will it take to make 450-500hp out of the ‘79 360? I should have a while before I need it so that will be ideal, but what all will I need other than the obvious torque converter? Appreciate any advice.
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$$$$$$$$$$$$
 
450-500 horsepower for what purpose? To run a certain speed in the 1/8 or 1/4 mile? Or just to be able to say oh, the engine makes 450-500 horsepower? What’s the intended application for that desired number?
 
12many said:
450-500 horsepower for what purpose? To run a certain speed in the 1/8 or 1/4 mile? Or just to be able to say oh, the engine makes 450-500 horsepower? What’s the intended application for that desired number?
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Option #2 is the correct answer :lol:
Option #1 is just a fun by product of option #2 lol
 
DentalDart said:
Option #2 is the correct answer :lol:
Option #1 is just a fun by product of option #2 lol
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I’ve had so many people, mostly co-workers, ask me: how much horsepower, how much horsepower?! They wouldn’t know what it really means other than it’s makes them go “ooooo” when I throw out some number. Depending on if they’re really into cars I’ll tell them what it runs in the 1/4 and some go “ooooo” as well. Most don’t know what 1/8 or 1/4 mile times translate to in horsepower numbers, it’s just a number to go “ooooo” over.:eek: I prefer “Ahhh”:lol:
 
RustyRatRod said:
A GOOD set of heads.
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Worth mentioning again I suppose. I don't think I've repeated it for a few years now.......

Many years ago my Dad built engines for what is now the NASCAR Cup series. One day he poked me in the chest with his index finger and said, "Jimmy, there are three secrets to making horsepower. The first two secrets are cylinder heads. Third, and most important, IS THE CYLINDER HEADS!"
 
4” crank, all the cylinder head you can afford. Never cared about the HP number. For me dyno’s are for showing where it makes power. To help tailor the rest of the car to the motor.
 
Talking stock stroke 360’s here.....there will be a pretty big spread between the cost and effort to get to 450hp vs 500hp.

Best to put the HP number second, behind making sure the combo is well thought out for the intended use.

Whatever it might make as a 360........ it would make more as a 408.
Very worth it for the HP levels you’re looking at, from a seat of the pants driving experience viewpoint.
 
IMG_20200414_143644.jpg
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IMG_20200616_180914.jpg

:popcorn::D...
 
^ yep
build a short block with flat top pistons, use the best heads you can and pick a mild performance cam that gives a temperament you can live with. it makes what it makes.
 
My idea of a stock stroke 360 that’s targeting the 450hp mark would look something like:
Aluminum heads, 10.5:1, good quench, solid cam in the low/mid-240’s, RPM A/G, 750 carb, headers.

Same combo(a little extra cam duration) in a 408 would put you in the 500hp range.
 
The best indication of horsepower is through the MPH #'s, not HP #'s. Traction will affect ET too much. What the engine goes in is also a big factor when it comes to impressing the ones not not familiar with the variables since there will be a big difference between 500HP in a 2,500 lb vehicle and a 3,500 lb vehicle.
 
12many said:
I’ve had so many people, mostly co-workers, ask me: how much horsepower, how much horsepower?! They wouldn’t know what it really means other than it’s makes them go “ooooo” when I throw out some number. Depending on if they’re really into cars I’ll tell them what it runs in the 1/4 and some go “ooooo” as well. Most don’t know what 1/8 or 1/4 mile times translate to in horsepower numbers, it’s just a number to go “ooooo” over.:eek: I prefer “Ahhh”:lol:
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I have no clue what track times equal to in hp. What does an 11 second 1/4 mile car equal to in hp?
 
RustyRatRod said:
Oh, but as soon as they see "8.2:1" everything's discounted. All the magazines and TV shows say you gotta have 10:1 dontchya know? Don't Idaho people keep up with the times? lol
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he was pointing to the 414hp 9.7:1 360 that has the dyno sheet posted on the third page of that thread, with a voodoo camshaft.
the 8.2:1 360 was a 300hp combo with a 260h camshaft and 318 heads it seem...
 
117 mph for 11.71, that mph is higher than the typical 11.71 et because of the “soft” 60’.
 
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