At 09:35 PM 9/26/99 -0400, you wrote:
> Does anyone have any info about what the HP and torque limits are for
>the 360? By 360, I mean either a "street" 360, Hughes or Kammer & Kammer
>built engine, a MP crate motor, whatever. (I don't know if there are
>differences in the wall thickness or whatever from the street to the
>crate motors...)
> Surely there has to be some sort of limit, i.e. once you get over X hp
>and Y ft-lb, the engine just won't be able to take any more. (Cracked
>block? Melted valves?) <snip>
I don't think anyone knows, with any certainty, the 360 HP and torque limits
when reliability is factored in.
I can only supply some input into the 360 various blocks and some examples
of what has been done with the 360s by various engine builders.
The 360 block has a 4" bore and kept the same outside cylinder wall dimensions
as the 340. A 4" bore can accommodate 2.02/1.60-inch valves easily. The
'71-74 360 blocks have thick walls and can accommodate a .1" overbore. The
'75-76 blocks do not have as thick cyclinder walls. Hughes goes up to a .060"
over using a '76 360 block. "77-'78 blocks have thin wall castings and .030"
over is a suggested maximum. Same for '79 and later blocks.
The main journal diameter for the 360 and 5.9 magnum is 2.81". By turning
the 360 mains down to the 318/340 size (2.5"), the 360/5.9 can be stroked
3.58" to become a 383 cid (I believe). The crank material is mostly cast
iron and if it's cast, it's externally balanced. A properly-prepared cast
crank can easily handle any street performance and most race demands
(e.g. Petty used cast cranks in his race motors. Non-magnum blocks used
a 19.78 in/oz balance factor that was revised to 14.66 for the magnum.
Therefore, early 360 and magnum rotating parts cannot be mixed withou
setting up an engine imbalance.
Dvorak Machine in Waldo FL puts out a 360 engine which has run ETs of
10.90 to 11.50 in a 3200 lb A-body. There were no available HP/torque
data or price given. The builder stresses that there are many subtle
variations that can be tailored to a buyer's particular application, and
that his plan must be taken as a whole in order that the various parts
components complement each other. (Tele: 352-468-1353 Fax:352-468-1050)
Hughes Engine Race 360 (Wash. IL) is a 360+ over bore putting out 525+ HP
at 6800 rpm. This complete assembly is under $6000 with customer-supplied
core. Carb, ignition and water pump are not included. It runs 10.80s in
a 3400 lb car. (Tele: 309-745-9558 Fax: 309-745-5061)
Federal-Mogal 360 (Detroit MI) is a more strip than street 360 with great
off-the-line torque. Its new coated skirt hypereutectic pistons make it
great for daily running. It's a 365 cid putting out 364 HP at 5000 and 383
lb-ft
at 5000. No ETs (fairly new) or price are given.
(Tele: 248-354-7700 www.federal-mogul.com)
Full details for all of the above can be found in July '98 Mopar Muscle issue.
Another example is a blown 360 by SD Concept Engineering (Warwick RI).
It's a carbed,
low buck (HA!) 360 putting out 675 HP at 6400 and 587 lb-ft of torque at 5000
using an ATI intercooled Procharger SC. Prior to bolting on the SC, SD
Concept
massages the internals of a '75 360 to put out 357 HP at 5500 and 366 lb-ft
at 4600. Full details in the Dec'98 Mopar Muscle.
(Tele: 401-732-4047 www3.edgenet.net/sdce)
After you been revived if you find out the cost involved, you may want to look
at the MP 360 crate engines a little more closely. Hope this helps a bit.
Bob, Burlington, Ontario
'97 FR CC Sport, 5.2L, 3.55 SG, auto., 15.268 @ 88.86
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