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Dakota Performance
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Brett
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2006
18:54:19

Subject: want 400+ hp
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I am going to building a new motor for my dak. I have a 318, want to stay with the 318. I am going to completly rip the motor apart. strip it down to the block. I am looking to get 400 hp out of it when it is done. I will be getting Aluminum heads and new pistons rings and valves and roller rockers. New intake, throttle body. What I am looking for is what else could I use to get maximum performance out of this machine?

More Power



GraphiteDak
GenIII
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3/01/2006
21:32:41

RE: want 400+ hp
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blower/supercharger :)


If not then high compression, every detail to make it BREATH and high octane fuel.

400 for a 318 N/A will be close but possible. My friend has a 425HP 360 all motor. Head work, Kieth Black Pistons, balanced to 8,000+ RPM's... you name it. He only has $4k + invested into the engine. That's chump change right??? LOL! Cost money. Unless you can fabricate your own turbo, etc.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2006
22:07:25

RE: want 400+ hp
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Umm, along the breathing lines; better cam, better exhaust, and computer work.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2006
22:09:58

RE: want 400+ hp
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http://www.krcperformance.com/newcontent/home.html
They have many examples with HP numbers you can expect from different packages.



brett
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
06:24:41

RE: want 400+ hp
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Rethinling my numbers. Stock 318 puts out about what 230hp? Yeah, I think I will be happy with 350hp maybe push it to 375? maybe. One day I want a blower on it! THanks



crow318
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
08:06:36

RE: want 400+ hp
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The only problem with building an engine now and bolting on a charger later is that some or all of the great N/A setup will need to be changed to run well with boost.

All said and done, higher compression ratio = more power.



Kowalski
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3/02/2006
15:05:20

RE: want 400+ hp
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Why do you want to limit yourself to 318 ? It should be cheaper to get those numbers from a 360 or stroker motor.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

Brett
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
17:00:23

RE: want 400+ hp
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I want the 318 because I like the small block. If someone were to ask about my truck, I want to see that shock and awe that comes over their face when they realize it's a small block.
I hear the engine mounts are the same for a 318 and 360! Maybe I could do that. Any good places to find a block?



intensedak39
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3/02/2006
17:20:07

RE: want 400+ hp
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a 360 is a small block... shares a whole lot with the 318 (same intake, same heads, same motor mounts, same valve train, same lifters, and in some cases, same cam)




... now this being magnum motors.



Scott C.
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
17:27:13

RE: want 400+ hp
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well if use a 360 and your runnin a auto trans and was a origanlly a 318 setup... you'll be wanting to change your trans or you'll kill it... there not enough clutchs in the trans to handle the torque of a 360.... and if your looking to get 400+ HP you'll be wanting to do the same thing with the trans.... there is a clutch drum in the trans that holds clutchs, what happens is that you need to have the trans taken apart and rebuilt with more clutchs in that drum to handle the torque and have a shift kit installed



Brett
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
18:19:16

RE: want 400+ hp
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The more I think about it, the more I am leaning toward the 360! I was told once that the 360 was a big block! I don't know where I heard that from! Anyway, I think I will go with the 360! Any performance options and opinions would be great! Thanks guys!



intensedak39
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3/02/2006
18:48:18

RE: want 400+ hp
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there was a 361 big block, but not the 360



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
20:34:58

RE: want 400+ hp
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The "318 tranny" can easily handle the 360's torque. If you're doing such a buildup, you do need to go through the tranny as well. Nothing worse than putting in a hotrod engine, then fragging the already tired tranny. The 904 tranny is the 3-speed that the A500, and follow-on 42's and 44's are built on. These 904's were in 4000lb cop cars with 360's in the 70's-80's. My old '69 Charger had the 318/904/2.76 rear combo. That's a heckuva load to pull, and it did so for over 126,000 miles. There's no need to move up to a larger tranny just on the basis of moving to a 360, even a hot one. Just have the tranny built properly with a good quality kit and make sure to have the TransGo or similar tranny kit installed. Adda large external tranny cooler and it'll be fine. The overdrive units are identical in both the smaller and larger tranny, and in stock form, are rated at 400ft/lb max. This isn't a problem since you're haulin' ass when OD kicks in, so even higher torque can be tolerated. The "front three" routinely handle this same power level (at lower vehicle speeds where inertia is more of an issue), and have been doing so for over 40 years. If anything, the OD is the weak link, and even it can be beefed if needed. Now, if you were gonna do a lot of heavy towing, etc, it'd be prudent to move to the larger tranny for the extra clutch area, but for street duty, your tires will be what's slipping, not the tranny clutches.



John Force
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2006
21:46:08

RE: want 400+ hp
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400 hp out of a n/a 318 is asking alot. you must either spray or boost. fyi, its not a good idea to exceed 1/2 of the stock factory hp unless you strengthen the bottom end too. 1/2 of 230 hp is 115 hp. be sure to bring a broom, dust pan and oil quick dry! you're going to need it.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2006
04:23:53

RE: want 400+ hp
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Carbureted 318's and 360's are routinely (and easily) built to 400HP at 6,000 rpm (6,300 rpm redline) with no bottom-end beefing. However, some really cheap insurance is a set of ARP rod bolts.



brett
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2006
05:59:36

RE: want 400+ hp
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Oh yes, the bottom end is also being replaced. New Crank, rods and bearings and all the goodies! Thanks for the info on the tranny! That should save a little there. After this project is all said and done, this truck obviously won't be my daily driver anymore!



Rotary
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2006
14:17:45

RE: want 400+ hp
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Twin-turbo R-13B rotary engine.



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