What are the differences between the l.a block 360 and a newer magnum 360? I have a magnum from a 98 ram I'd like to drop in my 73 but I do not know where to find a intake for a carb setup or the correct oil pump/pan ect. When I was into chevys you could bolt a carb intake onto tpi heads if you elongate the bolt holes since the only difference was the bolt angle, does this hold true for the mopar?
Edelbrock makes an intake for the Magnum engine with a carb... The LA intakes are at an angle... magnum bolts are verticle
Things that will give you problems
- drive accessories are odd serpentine set up - may not fit your chassis
- No fuel pump eccentric for mechanical fuel pump... must run electric
- oil pan and pickup are same as an LA block
Manicini makes a fuel pump eccentric that bolts on to the front of the cam. You must use the old style timing chain cover and accessories. There is a "knock off" of the Edelbrock intake if you're looking for something cheaper.
Troy
Who makes that knock off intake? Any cam would bolt into this block right? Same with the timing chain?
Nope, (I believe) all Magnums are roller cams which can get pricey. That's not a bad thing though! There are some places (like Hughes? and KRC Performance) that will regrind the original to different specs for about half the cost.
There is a large aftermarket for the trucks these engines came out of. The only thing that really sucks is Mopar price gouging on valve springs and retainers. I found a way around that...
The intake is made by Crosswinds.
Troy
Well as long as I change the lifter I could run a voodoo right?
nope - pushrods would need to be changed as rollers are taller than flats... plus the magnums oil up through the pushrods - the LA oils through the rocker shafts
I've got a nice 5.9 magnum from a 97 Ram that I kinda wanted to drop into a Dart . I've looked at the knockoff intake for $200 with free shipping. Was wondering if anyone here has tried it yet.
What's the other differences between the blocks besides the heads? I'd like to build this into a decent street engine and can't find much on it online.
One other thing - it's balanced differently than the LA so you need a different flexplate. B&M makes one specifically for this and it's reasonably priced.
Troy
You'd be further ahead keeping the roller cam setup than switching to a flat tappet. Less hassle about break-in and lobes getting wiped out. Reuse the same roller lifters, pushrods, etc.
Mounting an electric pump is probably easier in the long run than converting to a mechanical.
Ill keep the roller cam, but I'll probably get mine reground or get a different one. Seems like a pretty easy swap?
Quote from: wayfast1500 on October 17, 2009, 10:04:57 PM
Ill keep the roller cam, but I'll probably get mine reground or get a different one. Seems like a pretty easy swap?
Yep - it's about as simple as you can get. You can even keep the EFI like Hotrod98. You'll need 360 motor mounts (if your car came with a 318) and a 360 car oil pan.
Troy
I thought the only difference was 1 mount and it could be shimmed. I have a ego setup off a 95, minus the wiring and a computer from a 98 so it might be possible in the future.