360 Magnum Daily Driver (but fun too!!!)

TT5.9mag said
I’ve heard, haven’t used them, that they are worse than a stock magnum casting.

No, not true. If you try and have them ported, there’s not a lot of meat to remove to improve the head. They’re fine as is or bowl ported.

Type into the YouTube search, Charlie Servedio, he’s porting magnum heads right now.

Tuesday said
- probably all been shared before, but…..

This topic has no doubt likely been covered many times before but am welcome of some ideas.

I’ve a 360 Magnum engine out of a 2001 Dakota, it’s currently in the machine shop being prepared for me to start a rebuild.

Am a novice builder and am welcoming of advice - here is what it’s going in and what the use will be. EFI is going in (not a carb) and am not shifting on that….

A 1973 Plymouth Scamp (currently 318) - daily driver - want to be able to pull away quickly, punch in and out of corners - decent fuel economy would be nice - DOESN’T need to be choppy or loud (think I’m going deaf anyway and happy to keep my ears intact for longer!) - this build is about performance not noise. Ultimately, the build is to get daily enjoyment, but if I want to put my foot down, thump into and out of a corner and play around with some autocross (and grin from ear to ear, always) I can.

Magnum engine is a roller cam. Am pretty set on EngineQuest heads (after lots of digging) but other than that, am open to ideas and suggestions/advice. Probably Holley EFI, as Edlebrock doesn’t currently support Magnums.

Budget isn’t bare bones but don’t want to go bankrupt.

I run a bone stock 2003, 5.9 long block with a RPM AG intake, Edel 750, MP distributor with a Chrome box and Hooker 1-3/4 headers into a 2-1/2 exhaust. Excellent driver, go anywhere, rock solid. Backed by a mild 2500 stall converter & 727 w/a 9-1/4 rear w/3.55 gears on 245/60/15’s.

I myself wouldn’t increase the compression. I’d even drop the bone stock ratio down .5. It’ll run on 87 if you use a carb. (I know you’re not, that was for everyone else.) or run a larger cam to drop the dynamic compression a tad for 87 octane.

The best thing about the fuel injection is how well it runs and how nicely it keep the cylinders even after many many miles. A small roller would work very well