zman the cat was replaced at the same time

 

I've had my Durango w/ 360 since 1997. I still stomp everything from Hondas to 3 series Bimmers. The power and torque is just what I want and for a mid size SUV like a Durango, the 360 really compliments it.

I got my Ram w/ 360 a few months ago and the difference is NIGHT and DAY. The Ram is okay but it's not near as quick or nimble and feels very sluggish compared to the Durango.

I think the 360 as a platform has a lot of potential but honestly after reading through all these 'lacking power' threads and reading all the same answers over and over I have kind of come to the conclusion that there are two ways of doing this.

Small step is power adders. Things like different ratio rockers, intake, exhaust, heads, CAI, true duals, and gear ratio make up for some power but the cost and time of doing it adds up fast.

Big step - stroker. Stroke the 360 to 408, build it right the first time, and give it the air and exhaust it needs and you have instant results.

In my head at least, it doesn't seem like the two are horribly far apart and net gains from the 408 might be much more noticeable.

I have a spare 360 on a stand that I plan to build as a 408. It'll probably go in my Ram, and the 360 that comes out of it will get rebuilt as a warmed up 360 to replace the one in my Durango.

All other things being equal, I think it'll take a 408 in the Ram to equal the feeling I get from the 360 in the Durango. I'm just taking the Big Step, instead of the Small Step.

 

More cubes will most certainly get you more power... no doubt of that. The cost involved in doing the 408 though..... that's kinda prohibitive for a lot of folks here. One member spent 5 grand, and the engine wasn't even in his truck yet.... (between parts, machine work, assembly, etc.)

 

Cost can be very case sensitive. Two guys build the same engine and one is thousands cheaper based on farmed out work price difference and price of sourced parts. Example - used cylinder heads versus new cylinder heads. Not to mention what can be reused. I'm not saying it's cheap, but there can be a huge difference.

 

That may work to an extent, but, the factory heads are known for troubles.... cracked valve seats and such. Picking up a set used is no guarantee you are going to have anything better than what is already on the motor, and after you spend the money on the machine work for the heads, you could have bought a pair of the Odessa/Clearwater guys, that don't have the same problems. Just the rotating assembly is north of a thousand dollars......

Now, if you look at horsepower per dollar spent..... even a budget built 408 is going to look pretty good. But, when you need to come up with a couple thousand, in order simply get started...... that makes it kinda tough.

If you have the money, can get good deals on machine work, or, can do it yourself.... and don't have to pay someone else to build the motor, or install it for you..... Oh Hell yeah, there is no reason NOT to do so. Would love to put one in my truck, I would get horrible mileage though, and probably break other parts, playing with all the new found power.

 

I'll certainly be building my own and I have a line on a set of used aluminum cylinder heads from a local machine shop. My estimated plan and costs are nearing $3,000 if I can get the aluminum heads cheap, and a bit more if I end up with repurposed iron heads.

 

Make sure to look at Odessa/Clearwater if you can't get those aluminum fellers. They have brand new, better than stock, complete heads, for right around 600 a pair.

Try hard to get the aluminum fellers.