Looking at the specs for this http://www.moparproshop.com/inc/sdetail/6202/17276 crate 360, I see it uses a stock block and stock crank.


That said, even with proper maintenance, will 320hp and 410tq on a stock bottom end work out in the long run?

I want to get this and mate it to an NV4500 and I'm worried about service life (I DD my wheelers). I'd like to get 200k+ out of the motor. Is this possible?

Will be going into my '95 dakota

 

I don't think you need to worry. That same block has been the base for some pretty powerful motors; even the V10's are built on it, with two additional cylinders of course. The crank is strong as well; that additional horsepower and torque isn't so radical that its going to highly stress those pieces. Unless you're racing full time, most of the driving you're doing is going to be developing power well below what the engine is capable of. Heat and lubrication are your motor's biggest threats. Take care of those and that motor will easily meet your mileage expectations. If you want a manual trans, the NV4500 is plenty strong enough, but I know there are a lot of racers using the NV3500 who will tell you it's plenty strong.

There's at least one member on here, Robertmee, who has a HP 360 crate motor in his factory convertible Dakota. He built it for his wife, and I believe it gets driven fairly regularly. He has it in front of a built A500 automatic. Maybe he'll jump in here and give you his two cents on your plan.

 

I believe that is a stock 360 magnum engine. In a truck was rated at 245? net hp. The difference is this engine is rated at gross hp.
In short, its a stock engine (without accessories) running aftermarket ignition, intake, fuel injection, and open headers. In other words, optimized on a engine dyno (gross hp)

 

The engine Robertmee used was rated 380/390 horsepower (I believe), and checking, I don't see that horsepower listed now. There's the 320hp version with OE cam, heads, etc. and then the stroker engine with a little over 400hp. The way the OP asked I jumped to the conclusion he was asking about the higher output engine - I even thought I'd point out that he probably meant the 390hp engine (which isn't there now )

 

That's correct. I used the 380/360 as seen in this write up http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-...ngine-buildup/

And as you surmised, I don't think they build that option anymore. While the vert isn't a DD, the wife does drive it often in warm weather (already started driving it this year), and the 360 hasn't had any issues. I bought mine used with 200 miles on it (was in a show car). I did mate it to a built out A500, with Ray Asbestos/Kolene and V8 hard parts, and that combo hasn't given me any trouble. The wife likes to drive fast, so it isn't babied. She snapped the crank in two on my built out Grand National

 

Have you looked at Jegs or Summit racing for some of their crate motors?