So I was contemplating a crate 318 since certain parts don't crossover to a 360, BUT! the bigger valve heads do. Anyone gone this route?

 

Depend on what you want from your motor. The smaller valves are actually better for power/torque in the lower RPM range. Though compensating with a higher stall converter works too.

 

Cheers, it was just a thought, was thinking that or a better cam for off road and fuel economy. converter is a must and a better valve body. Truck still runs damn good for 354000 mi.. but it won't last forever..

 

Fuel economy? Yeah, that's pretty much a lost cause. Better cam would be a good choice, give you more torque down low. The intake is the biggest stumbling block for power in the higher RPM range.... It pretty much runs out of breath around 4k-4500 RPM. Just a consequence of the LOOONNNNGGGG runners. (which is what gives you your low-end torque....)

 

lol never an easy compromise ... yeah looking into intake options that won't break the bank

 

The ONLY one that is an 'almost' direct bolt on, is the hughes air gap, which goes for north of 1000 bucks these days...... There just aren't any other options aside from a custom modified manifold for the fuel injection. For off-roading, and such, the kegger is actually the better manifold.

 

I'll look into it, just because it's called "the kegger"