It's a good time isn't it...?And the debate will always go on...
Small block V8 guys will almost always disagree with the slant 6 guys.
The 318 guys will disagree with the 273 guys.
The 340 guys will disagree with everyone and feel their engine is the best of all no matter what.
The 360 guys disagree with them all because it is cheaper to build one with more power in the long run and the cores are cheap.
Then there's the big block guys that feel that you are wasting your time and money with a small block or slant 6.
Then there's the stroker engine guys that say that is the only way to go both small and big block.
Let's not forget the turbo guys who put them on everything and say that is the only way to go.
Then there's the gen 3 hemi guys insisting that this is the best combination.
Then (of course) there is the gen 2 426 Hemi guys that are always going to be king of the castle!
Sheesh, give it a rest already...

Right lolMost of us have probably done the 360 top on a stock 318 bottom (very low cr) with a 340 cam, not saying it's the best way (no milling) especially now I have a better understanding. But worked great and one was a truck and still function great as a truck and was faster than stock.
But cid, velocity, cr police say it ain't so
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Oh man, when we were at the track and running mid 13's with a teen, several came by to ask if it was a 340. When the answer was no, they asked if it was a 360 and again 'no' and the question was 'what is it' and when they heard 318 they said no way. Told one guy to lay 200 bucks on the fender and I would prove it. He walked away too lol It was fun!! lolOLD AND CRANKY!The beauty of making a 273, 318 or even a slant produce horsepower is the age-old adage of feeding the underdog. I enjoy beating up on my local Chevy guys a lot more with my 273 than I would a 360. Either way is fun but the disbelief on their faces is far greater when your air cleaner reads 273 or 318.
You're the one that started the 10 millionth (sic) thread so you can tell us!I do delete posts..and you know why? it's walking on eggshells here on what comments I may have left that you all get butthurt over... as far as simple comments well I consider the audience...I ty and keep the comprehension on an even keel...
hay since this is the 10 millionth 318 thread where is the build recipe for a hot 318? seems to me it should be a sticky thread...![]()
I'm about to do the same....You are correct about opinions are like assholes but the rest eh,... I don't think...anyway I gits to go have fun fellers...![]()
Seems like someone else mentioned AI. Btw, there are ALWAYS a better alternative to EVERYTHING!!!!!!I then asked "why its not worth it making a 318 into a bad *** race engine":
While it's possible to build a Mopar 318 engine for racing, it's generally considered not "worth it" due to several factors compared to starting with a different engine like a 340 or 360.
Here's why:
However, if your goal is not absolute top-tier racing performance, but rather a fun and unique build, a 318 can still be a viable option. Some enthusiasts enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of making a less conventional engine perform well. With a turbocharger, for example, a 318 can safely produce impressive horsepower figures.
- Limited Performance Potential: The 318 was originally designed as a reliable, economical engine, not for high-performance applications. It has features like smaller bore and stroke, and smaller ports in the cylinder heads, limiting its potential for maximizing horsepower and torque compared to its siblings.
- Cost vs. Performance: To make a 318 perform at a level comparable to a well-built 340 or 360, significant modifications are required, including specialized pistons, head work, and potentially a crankshaft swap (such as a stroked crank). The cost of these modifications can quickly add up, making it more cost-effective to start with a stronger base engine like a 360.
- Availability of Aftermarket Parts: Due to its focus on utility rather than performance, the aftermarket industry didn't develop as many high-performance parts specifically for the 318 compared to engines like the 340 or 360.
- Better Alternatives Exist: For those seeking serious performance, the Mopar 340 (with its forged crank and larger valves) or even the larger displacement 440 big block offer a stronger foundation and better starting point for building a race engine. The LS platform, being widely available and affordable, is also a popular choice for high-horsepower builds.
- Oil System Limitations: The 318's oiling system, designed for low-to-mid RPM operation, may not provide adequate lubrication to certain parts under the stresses of high-RPM racing, a problem not shared by the 340 or 360.
In summary, while you can make a 318 into a "badass" race engine, the effort, cost, and ultimately the performance potential make it a less practical choice compared to building a 340 or 360, especially for high-level racing.
And the debate will always go on...
Small block V8 guys will almost always disagree with the slant 6 guys.
The 318 guys will disagree with the 273 guys.
The 340 guys will disagree with everyone and feel their engine is the best of all no matter what.
The 360 guys disagree with them all because it is cheaper to build one with more power in the long run and the cores are cheap.
Then there's the big block guys that feel that you are wasting your time and money with a small block or slant 6.
Then there's the stroker engine guys that say that is the only way to go both small and big block.
Let's not forget the turbo guys who put them on everything and say that is the only way to go.
Then there's the gen 3 hemi guys insisting that this is the best combination.
Then (of course) there is the gen 2 426 Hemi guys that are always going to be king of the castle!
Sheesh, give it a rest already...



I believe the 65 Barracuda in the video with the 273 was running in the 12ves. I'm not positive but I think it is one of our very own ForAbody guys.Right lol
Oh man, when we were at the track and running mid 13's with a teen, several came by to ask if it was a 340. When the answer was no, they asked if it was a 360 and again 'no' and the question was 'what is it' and when they heard 318 they said no way. Told one guy to lay 200 bucks on the fender and I would prove it. He walked away too lol It was fun!! lol
You're the one that started the 10 millionth (sic) thread so you can tell us!
I'm about to do the same....
Seems like someone else mentioned AI. Btw, there are ALWAYS a better alternative to EVERYTHING!!!!!!
Here we go again. Are we talking about maximum horsepower output? Are we building a race engine? Most people could care less about that.I then asked "why its not worth it making a 318 into a bad *** race engine":
While it's possible to build a Mopar 318 engine for racing, it's generally considered not "worth it" due to several factors compared to starting with a different engine like a 340 or 360.
Here's why:
However, if your goal is not absolute top-tier racing performance, but rather a fun and unique build, a 318 can still be a viable option. Some enthusiasts enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of making a less conventional engine perform well. With a turbocharger, for example, a 318 can safely produce impressive horsepower figures.
- Limited Performance Potential: The 318 was originally designed as a reliable, economical engine, not for high-performance applications. It has features like smaller bore and stroke, and smaller ports in the cylinder heads, limiting its potential for maximizing horsepower and torque compared to its siblings.
- Cost vs. Performance: To make a 318 perform at a level comparable to a well-built 340 or 360, significant modifications are required, including specialized pistons, head work, and potentially a crankshaft swap (such as a stroked crank). The cost of these modifications can quickly add up, making it more cost-effective to start with a stronger base engine like a 360.
- Availability of Aftermarket Parts: Due to its focus on utility rather than performance, the aftermarket industry didn't develop as many high-performance parts specifically for the 318 compared to engines like the 340 or 360.
- Better Alternatives Exist: For those seeking serious performance, the Mopar 340 (with its forged crank and larger valves) or even the larger displacement 440 big block offer a stronger foundation and better starting point for building a race engine. The LS platform, being widely available and affordable, is also a popular choice for high-horsepower builds.
- Oil System Limitations: The 318's oiling system, designed for low-to-mid RPM operation, may not provide adequate lubrication to certain parts under the stresses of high-RPM racing, a problem not shared by the 340 or 360.
In summary, while you can make a 318 into a "badass" race engine, the effort, cost, and ultimately the performance potential make it a less practical choice compared to building a 340 or 360, especially for high-level racing.
Laugh all ya want thats what AI sent back on a Google search that is the general consensus regarding 318s for at least 40 years thart I remember I didnt type that out not worth my time...the only good thing about them was they were once cheap and plantiful guys yanked and tossed them in favor of a bigger engine...cant deny that if you were there...Here we go again. Are we talking about maximum horsepower output? Are we building a race engine? Most people could care less about that.
I laugh at your post above. "Cost vs Performance" Your analogy is BS. Compare each engine by "Horsepower per cubic inch" to even the playing field. Of course you have to spend more to get a 318 to perform like a "well built 340" Duh

You could build a decent 318 for what you would pay for a rusty 340, up here.Anyone that says "just build a 340".....
.....obviously hasn't priced 340's in quite a while.
or, just grab a 360 they're cheap...Anyone that says "just build a 340".....
.....obviously hasn't priced 340's in quite a while.
took me a year to find a block... depends where you live...or, just grab a 360 they're cheap...
are they around? sure. easier to come up on than 340's? you bet yer patootie! but cheap? nah. not for decent ones.
evidently that's not where i do. they must be in that place where 8.75's are falling out of trees and thumbwheel radios are BOGOtook me a year to find a block... depends where you live...
Here a lot of guys ask the same for a 360 as you can find a running 440+trans.. it's nutsevidently that's not where i do. they must be in that place where 8.75's are falling out of trees and thumbwheel radios are BOGO
This clearly has 318 on the side cast into it. But also has a big X right below where the passenger head goesWell I got kicked out of one of the latest 318 threads. As usual they ganged up on and attacked me for stating the obvious,said I was a dick and thecmid said " I should show your deleted posts" why have a delete button then ? As far as 318s,I cant understand why someone who doesnt want to lay out $$$ for a good starting point in a 340/ 360 would spend the $$$ that it takes modding a 318 then gloat like its something special. Thats all. Oh and get a sense of humor and learn to detect sarcasm...![]()
So DTM #2?That. My guess he's late teens, and reads a lot of Hot Rod Magazine articles. He acts like an expert when he's bashing but asks some pretty elementary questions on other threads. It's funny how many posts he deletes but we can (and do) read them all.![]()
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And they are usually quite juvenile.
The 340-360 what a 318 hopes to be when it grows upI do delete posts..and you know why? it's walking on eggshells here on what comments I may have left that you all get butthurt over... as far as simple comments well I consider the audience...I ty and keep the comprehension on an even keel...
hay since this is the 10 millionth 318 thread where is the build recipe for a hot 318? seems to me it should be a sticky thread...![]()
Out of Chev's 350, 327, 302 the 327 to me looks to have the best curve, through most of the curve it made the same hp but a 150-200 rpms higher than the 350 and had a lot more top end power, the 302 had the worst under the curve.And no hate here. My best friend in High School had a similar weight car with a 327 4bbl just headers. My car was the same but Mopar with 340.
On the street it was a toss up who came out ahead. Traction on Crappy Street Tires was our biggest problem
Both were fun cars that ran about the same.
This total bs stock fox body dont run 13.5 the 93 cobra coudnt run 13.5Not abuse or even hate I would just start with something else theres too much to overcome with a 318
you need heads and a cam and conpression why start with all those hurdles? I
commented on 13.5 being stock Fox body ET why? to prove you can get a factory engine that does 13.5 etc. turn key and go