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E58 option?

Doba76

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Been reading up on the different 360's available in my 77 Cordoba and came across the E58 4 bbl option. Was there a big difference in power from my 2 bbl to the E58? And were there any other 360 options? I'd like to get a little more grunt out of the thing, but don't want to go nuts until I know exactly what I want to do. I have a Weiand dual plane spread bore intake available to me along with a Thermoquad, maybe throw a set of headers on it and go dual 2-1/2"

Ultimately I'd like to see about 350-400 horse out of the 360, but for now I'd just like to get more than the 155 it's rated at!
 
Depending on the year, the e58 had from 175 to 195 hp. I know the '79 '300' version was 195. Do you have a budget for this car?

-=Photon440=-
 
i dont have any exact numbers , but my 77 charger was an original 360 2 barrel. all i did when i rebuilt it was add a 284/480 cam , a weiand action plus 8007 intake , a holley 600 , headers and a 2500 stall converter to go with the 323 gears and it really woke mine up.
 

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I have heard the e58 360 blocks have a higher nickel content in the block. Some guy told me that years ago when i had my super coupe. Dont know if its true or not.
 
Depending on the year, the e58 had from 175 to 195 hp. I know the '79 '300' version was 195. Do you have a budget for this car?

The budget right now is only about 500 bucks, but I know enough Dodge guys around here that finding good used speed parts isn't a problem. Already have a line on a Weiand intake and Thermoquad, so I might put what little I have right now towards headers and exhaust. Another couple of months and I'll have a bit more to spend.

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i dont have any exact numbers , but my 77 charger was an original 360 2 barrel. all i did when i rebuilt it was add a 284/480 cam , a weiand action plus 8007 intake , a holley 600 , headers and a 2500 stall converter to go with the 323 gears and it really woke mine up.

What make and model is your cam super77?
 
The E85 was the HP 360 and used that way. It was also a option the police used in the police cruisers then.
 
I'm with super77se, Did this to a 75 Charger se, Went from a bone stock 2bbl single exhaust to a Edelbrock intake,600 AFB,Headers and a full dual 2 1/2 '' exhaust. Had to loosen the fuel tank and move it over a little for tailpipe clearance.Made a big improvement.Much more fun to drive.
 
No 360 had as much potential as the very first year. 1971. Because they used a different piston in that one year only with a higher compression height, resulting in more compression than any of the rest. Too bad they were not available with a 4 barrel.
 
No 360 had as much potential as the very first year. 1971. Because they used a different piston in that one year only with a higher compression height, resulting in more compression than any of the rest. Too bad they were not available with a 4 barrel.

Hmmm...could the earlier pistons be used in the 77 engine? Or would there even be any benefit in doing so?
 
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Hmmm...could the earlier pistons be used in the 77 engine? Or would there even be any benefit in doing so?

There are lots of aftermarket pistons in any compression that you might want. Buy the book "How to rebuild the small block mopar" and give yourself some interesting reading during the winter months. :)

-=Photon440=-
 
All 360's are about the same. Not enough compression. Actual measure compression is usually below 8-1. Budget best for $500. Used LD 340,or stock 4 barrel intake, T/Q,[email protected]"cam (summit works well on mild build for cheap),headers w/ 2.5 exhaust. Needs more rear gear. You have more $ ? Then add gear,Performer RPM,more compression,more cam.This won't net you 350 hp but neither will a $500 budget. It will wake it up.
Doug
 
All 360's are about the same. Not enough compression. Actual measure compression is usually below 8-1. Budget best for $500. Used LD 340,or stock 4 barrel intake, T/Q,[email protected]"cam (summit works well on mild build for cheap),headers w/ 2.5 exhaust. Needs more rear gear. You have more $ ? Then add gear,Performer RPM,more compression,more cam.This won't net you 350 hp but neither will a $500 budget. It will wake it up.
Doug

^^^^^ No truer words, even with the 71 model. They were all wheezers. THe 71 was just a little less of one. I don't think you can even get 71 specific stock pistons. I think since that was a one year only engine they just made the 72 and up piston the one of choice.
 
the 77 engines were so smogged out that they were barely able to get out of their own way. here are the figures for the 77 engines. factory ratings. the 4 barrel was worth a whopping 5 HP

360 2 barrel
360 4 barrel
400 cid V-8 w dual exhaust

compression ratio
8.4:1
8.4:1
8.2:1

horsepower
170 @ 4,000
175 @ 4,000
240 @ 4,400
 
See though, that the HP starts to climb over 4K. Plus, keep in mind that is also NET HP, not gross like before 1971. Gross HP would be pretty close to 100 over net, so that 240 was probably feelin pretty snappy. I can promise you one thing. It was enough to smoke an E/78/14 whitewall slam OFF the wheel. lol
 
Have you considered a JY 92-03 360 (5.9) mag swap?

That's 245 Net HP out of the box.

You'd need a mag drilled 4v intake, but (IIRC) could use your "front end" brackets and pulleys.

You'll need to spend considerably more to get 300 net HP out of any of those engines.

The 5.9 does pretty good for an 8.x comp 87 octane motor.

Around here you can find running/driving short cab Rams and vans for under 1K.

- - - Updated - - -

I think after about 84, the only diff between the 2v and 4v motors was the 2v or 4v, and dual exhaust.
Not sure about the cams, but the comp looks the same.
 
Here is a break down of the 1978 & 1979 360ci engines

1978 (E57) 360 cid V-8 2bbl (K code)
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 155 @ 3,600
torque 270 @ 2,400

1978 (E56) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Calif. (J code)
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 170 @ 4,000
torque 270 @ 1,600
-----------------------------------
☆ 1978 (E58) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Heavy Duty (Police)(L code)
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 175 @ 4,000
torque 260 @ 2,400

☆ 1978 (E58) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Heavy Duty Calif. w/Smog Pump (Police)(L code)
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 160 @ 3,600
torque 265 @ 1,600
___________________

1979 (E57) 360 cid V-8 2bbl (K code) [360P code on engine block, P=Premium gas]
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 150 @ 3,600
torque 265 @ 2,400

1979 (E55) 360 cid V-8 2bbl Heavy Duty (? code)
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 155 @ 3,600
torque 270 @ 2,400

1979 (E56) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Calif. (J code) [360H code on engine block, H=4bbl 360]
compression ratio 8.4:1
horsepower 170 @ 4,000
torque 270 @ 1,600
-----------------------------------
☆ 1979 (E58) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Heavy Duty (Police)(L code) [360HP code on engine block, HP=High Performance]
compression ratio 8.0:1
horsepower 195 @ 4,000 < 265hp NHRA Rated-Gross Horse Power
torque 280 @ 2,400

☆ 1979 (E58) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Heavy Duty Calif. w/Smog Pump (Police)(L code) [360HP code on engine block, HP=High Performance]
compression ratio 8.0:1
horsepower 190 @ 4,000
torque 275 @ 2,000

Special order: In some State Police cars as in Magnums, StRegis, and in Little Red Express trucks. With Dual Snorkel Air Cleaners(Special Chrome in Express trucks)!
☆ 1979 (E58) 360 cid V-8 4bbl Extra Duty (Police)(L code) [360_3 code on engine block, The 3 stands for SHP= Special High Performance
due to there only being two slots for letters, so they used the number three to indicate SHP over the more standard HP engines!]
compression ratio 8.0:1
horsepower 225 @ 4,000
torque 300 @ 2,400
 
You know, it had to jack some corvette owners slam outta shape in 1978 to get outrun by a half ton truck.
 
You know, it had to jack some corvette owners slam outta shape in 1978 to get outrun by a half ton truck.

Lol! Fastest production vehicle in the world, or was it just north America? There's one sitting here in town that hasn't moved for at lest 20 years, but he's one of those, "I'm going to fix it up someday" guys.

And a big thanks to everyone for the tips and suggestions!
 
It was the fastest domestic production vehicle. And you know, you could still get a Trans Am in 78 with a sho nuff Pontiac 400 and a 4 speed. But "the truck" was faster. lol
 
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