So I decided to build a 360 for my Valiant :)

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ValiantKevin

ValiantKevin

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So I bought my Valiant a month ago with every intension of basically doing a budget street/strip build.
I have always liked unique, unexpected, and sleeper type vehicles, for instance I was considering at first building a turbo 225, why? Just cause... but the more I got doing research, the more I read others comments, the more I come to the realization that dollar per HP building a 225 would 1) never get me the HP I know it would take to be satisfied. I mean to go north of 300HP is nearly impossible without a power adder... if I don't turbo it sure it'd be fun to drive but far from "fast". 2) Dollar per HP would cost way more getting the 225 even near 300hp, let alone to the 350-400hp range that makes things "fun fast" vs the same $/HP it would take to do the same with a LA V8. (I am disregarding Gen3 Hemi's simply because to me that's more a full prostreet type build, introduces all kinds of electronics, and as much as I understand electronics, tuning, etc... it's just not what I want for "this" build! So LA V8 it is, and here is where I am at so far with more decisions up in the air and still to be made...

So without further a do...

Here is my 360 build list beginning:
Block got the whole treatment, hot tanked, decked to 9.580 *same as magnum V8's, bored .30 over (4.030), line honed, new cam bearings, etc.
Comp cams 20-227-4
Pistons: Sealed Power H116CP30 Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons

Crank: I have the original cast, still good and in spec, hot tanked, and bearing journals polished, ready to go. (If I want to)
-- Decision still not made about stroking it, but heavily considering a forged stroked crank... maybe to a 408ci.
Rods: Have the originals, they too have been cleaned and checked to be within spec and can be used. BUT...
-- Decision still not made on if I want to go with more modern, lighter, stronger... Probably am and will decided this more assuredly with the crank final decision :)

The rest (bearings, rings, ARP studs, gaskets, assembly lube, etc) is coming soon.

Opinions are welcomed... whatcha all think?

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Those pistons won’t work if go to longer than stock stroke. Stock crank and rods are plenty strong enough for that build plan, if you want to keep the budget lower.

Start doing compression calculations, although if you high altitude there it may be perfect.
 
I think you're putting the cart before the horse, buying pistons and bearings and cams before you've even decided whether to stroke or not.
One decision can negate everything you've already bought.
If you want to stay on a budget, plan the build and buy parts appropriately.
The crank and desired CR will determine the pistons needed, which leads to cam selection for the desired power level. Head selection will also play a factor in those decisions. The pistons will need to go to the machine shop with the block to get the final hone and clearances right.
Make the plan, then buy the parts (once!)... and stick to the plan!!
 

If you do stroke it, buy a complete kit from someone like scat with pistons, rings, crank, rods, bearings, etc. you can get em balanced and ready to drop in after a few checks with a mic. If not use what you have, 360 inches will make 300 hp falling off a stump. So you don’t “need” a 408 to meet your goals.
 
Why stroke it when you have everything now to build a stout 360 . spend the saved money on heads , better rockers , torque convertor , good carb etc.
 
Right now, heads are on my mind, seems like so many people like using Magnum heads... but I am liking the thoughts of less weight of aluminum. Guess we'll see how this goes lol.
 
SlantedKevin said:
Right now, heads are on my mind, seems like so many people like using Magnum heads... but I am liking the thoughts of less weight of aluminum. Guess we'll see how this goes lol.
Click to expand...
For the most part, Magnum heads stopped being a good option once the original equipment factory castings were no longer available from the dealer. Not saying it cannot be done well, just that it is not a good option any more unless you already have them or a whole entire Magnum engine to work with.
 
SlantedKevin said:
Right now, heads are on my mind, seems like so many people like using Magnum heads... but I am liking the thoughts of less weight of aluminum. Guess we'll see how this goes lol.
Click to expand...
Problem with magnum heads there prone to cracks, so not really worth putting much money into, They seem to make a little more power than 360 heads but any aluminum aftermarket gonna make more than both.
 
SlantedKevin said:
Right now, heads are on my mind, seems like so many people like using Magnum heads... but I am liking the thoughts of less weight of aluminum. Guess we'll see how this goes lol.
Click to expand...
buy some aluminum units and be done with it. unless you're trying to bring it in on budget and don't have the dosh to get there, the economics of iron heads make the aluminum the smarter buy. unless you trip over some factory ported heads that are already done up nice, there's really not a reason to pursue them.
 
If you can could you mention overall cost? Im in a 318 thread and those guys always end up mentioning cost.Im in the 340/360 camp I figure if you want the HP for the effort in the end bigger is better Cubic inch wise...
 
And the 318 guy's are also in here, notice were not trying to convince the OP to build something else that he don't want to/interested in :}
 
Icetech said:
Those are some really good gains for simple mods
Click to expand...
That's why post it so often, on these types of threads, Should easily help any one wanting to do anything under 400 hp. With a 360 or even a 318/340 shouldn't be too different. Add some CR and or a set of Edelbrock or clone heads for even better results.

Here similar on magnum side, the cam one does the most.





 
273 said:
That's why post it so often, on these types of threads, Should easily help any one wanting to do anything under 400 hp. With a 360 or even a 318/340 shouldn't be too different. Add some CR and or a set of Edelbrock or clone heads for even better results.

Here similar on magnum side, the cam one does the most.





Click to expand...

You know a 318 can't make over 230HP.... we have had this discussion...
 
273 said:
Yes apparently so, how do we know cause these magazine guy's tried to misinform to make us believe it's possible cause obviously the illuminati wants us to build 318 over 360 :)



3-8-Teen Dream

Chrysler 318 Engine - A Powerplant To Brag About
Click to expand...

Sure... if you believe those articles you will also believe gas is $1.98 a gallon... and they "They" are coming for your guns.. although they never have.... people believe lies all the time :) 318 just can't make power! The bore is .090 less than a 360! that's 200hp lost...
 
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Icetech said:
Sure... if you believe those articles you will also believe gas is $1.98 a gallon... and they "They" are coming for your guns.. although they never have.... people believe lies all the time :) 318 just can't make power! The bore is .010 less than a 360! that's 200hp lost...
Click to expand...

Oh no, I must have bought into the lies! I thought the bore was 0.090 smaller. :)
 
DionR said:
Does it help that I had to look it up because I was doubting what I thought was the number?
Click to expand...
something is wrong with me lately.... i'm dizzy and my brain won't work right (fell down some stairs a few days ago cause of it) I sat here writing that thinking "318 is 3.090... 360 is 4.00... .010 difference!!!!"

Wrong in every possible way :) I drink like 80oz of coffee every morning and i think it's bad for me.. on sundays i get headaches now if i don't drink some. Might be time to cut back
 
Icetech said:
something is wrong with me lately.... i'm dizzy and my brain won't work right (fell down some stairs a few days ago cause of it) I sat here writing that thinking "318 is 3.090... 360 is 4.00... .010 difference!!!!"

Wrong in every possible way :) I drink like 80oz of coffee every morning and i think it's bad for me.. on sundays i get headaches now if i don't drink some. Might be time to cut back
Click to expand...

Yikes! Might be time for a checkup. And yeah, probably cut back on the "sauce".
 
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