g73 318 LA Motor to be rebuild.

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73Drtsport1

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Hello FABO Members,

I need some advice on rebuilding 318 LA motor.

Want to keep the same motor in car.

This will be a performance motor that runs off pump gas.

I called one motor shop and he was talking $ 6500.00 and didn't get into
the details, just a general idea if the block was still good to use.

Will be getting the stroker kit 4.000, but don't know which one to get.
example : Forged crank/piston, Cast crank/piston, Cast crank/forged piston ?

Have not made my mind up about keeping the same heads and having them
worked on or going with Aluminum heads and intake, but want to start with bottom end of motor first.


Thanks
 
A cast crank is fine at 500hp properly prepped.
A forged crank should handle double that if built right.
Keeping the stock heads on a 318 for anything other than stock or a mild hop up is insane. Step up to aluminum heads. You’ll need all you can get with cylinder heads w/a 4.00 arm.

What type of power are you looking to build?
 
73Drtsport1 said:
Hello FABO Members,

I need some advice on rebuilding 318 LA motor.

Want to keep the same motor in car.

This will be a performance motor that runs off pump gas.

I called one motor shop and he was talking $ 6500.00 and didn't get into
the details, just a general idea if the block was still good to use.

Will be getting the stroker kit 4.000, but don't know which one to get.
example : Forged crank/piston, Cast crank/piston, Cast crank/forged piston ?

Have not made my mind up about keeping the same heads and having them
worked on or going with Aluminum heads and intake, but want to start with bottom end of motor first.


Thanks
Click to expand...

Just a couple of general thoughts:
Crank and piston selection will vary depending on your intended usage, i.e. pure street, mostly street and some track, track with some street, etc., as well as intended operating range (rpm).
As far as heads go, the stockers are adequate for a 318, but the stroker is adding another 70+ cubic inches (390 c.i. give or take, depending on your overbore), and even "worked" 318 heads aren't going to keep up- for the money you'll spend having enough port work done on the stockers, you'll be money ahead just going with some aftermarket heads. 340/360 heads could be an option, but those could use a little work, too; plus a general freshening since they're old to begin with. If you're stroking the shortblock, the smart money is to just get some fresh aftermarket heads; be they Eddies, Trickflows, Speedmasters, or whatever; have your shop check them out to confirm tolerances and bolt 'em on.
 
You can safely run the cast crank and Hyperutecic pistons. You can also use OOTB (prepped) aluminum heads. For a good head (IMO) for this set up, look at the ProMaxx CNC heads. A very good head well priced that flows 280 cfm.
(FWIW, a 50 hp spread in this power area is a lot of HP.)
 
How much do you wanna spend?

6,500 isnt cheap or high dollar.

The power goal isn't unrealistic, not hard to do with good heads and more stroke at all.
Do you want it stock looking?
Are you purpose driven? Or do you need bells and whistles?
 
No idea building a motor would be $ 6,500.
Only upgrades will be the Aluminum heads, intake and 4 barrel carb.
( that will been seen) All other parts on the motor will be stock. Not doing the chrome, billet stuff. Car has a/c, power steering.
 
73Drtsport1 said:
No idea building a motor would be $ 6,500.
Only upgrades will be the Aluminum heads, intake and 4 barrel carb.
( that will been seen) All other parts on the motor will be stock. Not doing the chrome, billet stuff. Car has a/c, power steering.
Click to expand...
Cheapo speed disasters?
1200
Stroker kit 1800
Machining block h assembly roughtly 800
Cam valve train 800-900 bucks
Intake and carb 1000
Headers 150-750
Bearings, gaskets, fuel pump, water pump, balancer.

Adds up.
For some of us.. we have triples of all that and the same motor cost about 2500 bucks.
 
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