Okay so bought a first gen ('88) and want to build up the 318 a bit... here's where I'm having issues. I'm mechanically inclined (millwright apprentice and former aviation maintenance) so the "nuts and bolts" isn't a problem as it were.

However I don't know jack squat about sourcing the parts and which performance upgrades are the best bang for the money. Don't wanna get too crazy with it, but 230hp & 300ft/lbs just doesn't scream "power" to me.

So long story short what did y'all do to yours? Cams, Heads, Headers...?

 

360 Magnum swap, with all the upgrades I was gonna do to the 318. Also switched over to carb. Depends on what you want. High rpm screamer, or low rpm torque house.
i prolly went father on mine than you want to do to yours. I've got about 6Gs in my build, I didn't go over the top. Twenty over 360 stock 3.58 stroke, decked the block, EQ monster Magnum heads (2.02 intake valves, 1.63 exhaust valves) voodoo cam 2.58/2.68 duration, with 5.01/5.24 lift with the Magnum 1.6:1 ratio rockers. Eddy duel plane air gap intake, Eddy 650 carb, hed-man long tube headers, 3 inch custom exhaust. Mopar electronic ignition, 10mm ignition wire set, bunch of other small stuff.

 

Sounds like a decent motor, I'm just looking for a little more beef (that nice V8 rumble). She's gonna be a travelling rig bouncing from job to job, just wanna be able to tow a smallish trailer full of tools at a decent RPM

 

sounds like you need a towing/rv cam but i don't know if it would be compatible with the factory TBI.

 

Based on the capacities I've found I'll be well within range in stock form... (only a cpl hundred pounds of tools and a small trailer *think the small covered uhaul trailers*) the desire for improved performance is just to stroke my ego

Unfortunately I dunno how to build it in an automotive platform

 

This! If you can find a decent one with low miles you wont have fully rebuild it(bored pistons etc..)witch will keep the cost down. You can replace the heads with the old bolt pattern of the LA motors(indy or EQ makes them) so you will have plenty of options for intakes.

http://www.magnumswap.com/dodge-magnum-engine-search/