Engine is pulled - 273 rebuild or replacement 360 crate?

[Mean416]

360 over the 273.

You could be an oddball and use the 273 heads with bigger valves on the intake side and some Port work. It'll be a stump puller off the line and still work well to about 5500 rpm.
In other words it'll make the horsepower of a 340 cammed 360 but have a hell of a lot more torque, probably to the tune of about 60 more foot pounds.
I used those type of heads and did exactly what I mentioned above on a 340 and it made 305 horsepower and 380 ft lb of torque. Near stock 340 cam but as a solid. It was .473 lift 110lsa 227 @.050, minus lash was about .458 or .460 lift... or an honest .450 at least after rocker n geometry losses.

I don't believe a 360 with a 273 top end would make more low end power than a 360 with a 360 top end.

 

[Mean416]

Get a 5.9 magnum junkyard motor. Call up Oregon cams and get a regrind. Get a cheap air gap and a decent carb. You'll have a 350 hp engine with a broad power curve.

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

I don't believe a 360 with a 273 top end would make more low end power than a 360 with a 360 top end.

I don't believe in Santa Claus but nonetheless there are still gifts under the tree LOL

 

[Mean416]

This 360, with 360 heads, with 2.02 valves, made 414 ft lbs. We don't have side by side graphs to compare but I'd bet the kitchen sink this engine makes more power off idle than the same engine with 273 heads.

Only thing 273 heads have going for them vs 360 open chambers is more compression.

Modifying And Testing A Dodge 360-Cube LA Small-Block On The Dyno

 

[MOPAROFFICIAL]

I don't believe a 360 with a 273 top end would make more low end power than a 360 with a 360 top end.

I think you completely missed the context in my reply. At the time the op was exploring what parts he may use or could use from his older engine and a newer block and then it was being bounced around maybe to use a 360 but at that point , I believe the first page.. nothing was determined or settled and I was literally throwing an idea out there in the context that he was going to try and recycle some of the parts to save money. I have done it, it does work well in an idle to 4500rpm range, just like a 650 holley does compared to a 750. Everyone can play with toys however they like.
Good video BTW. The 360 has always been a sleeping giant imo. Heads n induction were always the gatekeeper to awakening them. I don't know if there is a video or not on worked small port head vs stock 1.88 360 heads on a 360 but its been done and I would only entertain the idea if its a near stock or very special circumstance type of build... or even out of just playing around. Its fun to make half *** designed junk into something surprising.

 

[Mean416]

I think you completely missed the context in my reply. At the time the op was exploring what parts he may use or could use from his older engine and a newer block and then it was being bounced around maybe to use a 360 but at that point , I believe the first page.. nothing was determined or settled and I was literally throwing an idea out there in the context that he was going to try and recycle some of the parts to save money. I have done it, it does work well in an idle to 4500rpm range, just like a 650 holley does compared to a 750. Everyone can play with toys however they like.
Good video BTW. The 360 has always been a sleeping giant imo. Heads n induction were always the gatekeeper to awakening them. I don't know if there is a video or not on worked small port head vs stock 1.88 360 heads on a 360 but its been done and I would only entertain the idea if its a near stock or very special circumstance type of build... or even out of just playing around. Its fun to make half *** designed junk into something surprising.

Thanks for clarifying. Agreed, if it's a situation where a guy is "using what he has laying around" then by all means, get it going any way you can.

I just start to take issue if people frame it as *these old 302 heads are awesome " because in reality, compared to just about anything else, they suck. I'm only against the spread of old misinformation.

Think... mission impossible 318 build. How many poor teenagers and 20 something's, just getting into the hobby, will absolutely try to copy that work, fully believing they're gonna set the world ablaze? Only to be disappointed when their car is a total dog ...

 

[273]

I don't believe a 360 with a 273 top end would make more low end power than a 360 with a 360 top end.

I agree, Richard Holdener done a bunch of head shootouts of various port volumes and hasn't found Low End Torque (Power) changes much, but possible that throttle response does, I feel people confuse driveability with a lack of torque which for various reasons don't make sense to me.