I have been a Mopar nut and owner for over 35 years. I have had small blocks, big blocks, old hemis and new hemis so I feel that I kinda know what I am talking about. Bottom line is if he wants to do it and thinks it through then why not. The big blocks were awesome due to the CIs and the tremendous torque potential. The small blocks are great because they can rev faster, are lighter and usually more trouble free and durable. I currently have an 05 1500 with a hemi and really love it but sometimes would like more torque and am currently looking at my options there. I have NEVER been a fan of the 360 but I have known many people who thought they were great and I really couldn't put my finger on why I didn't like them. They made more torque and HP than the 318 (I hate metric designations BTW) but the old reliable 318 was far and away the best quality motor that Mopar ever made. So if you want to go gas, for dependable get a 318, if you want to go FAST get a real BIG BLOCK hemi everthing else is a matter of personal choice and falls somewhere in between. Oh, I didn't overlook the slanted motor it has many virtues but IMO is really too small to work well in the full size trucks, or the Cummins which is a whole different ball game which I know nothing about. I don't mean to upset anyone just putting my .02 and experience out there. Good Luck to all with whatever project you attempt.

 

IMO i love my 360 just because it is very durable and strong like a tank it may not be as fast as Hemi but IMO, a 360 seems easier to work with.
Someone mentioned that the Hemi has more performance parts available, FALSE! the 360 has been around for a long time. Hughes Engines has lots of parts for our 5.9. and also, the 360 is not as expensive to modify as a Hemi. I'm no expert with Hemi's and honestly never rode in a Ram with a Hemi! but i did race my co-worker with his chipped Duramax, at a 35mph roll, we were dead even for about 3-4 seconds until his single turbo spooled. I'm not trying to be cocky or take sides but as stated before, a good 360/ or 408 can be FAST!

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...NzZW1ibGllcw==

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...2&partid=25764

 

im going to have to agree to ive owned plenty of dodges, and i love my 5.9....its a good motor other than its a gas guzzler...lol

 

Yes, I know what it means. On this engine it was used as an advertising gimmick (true hemisphere=bad for emissions), but the main thing it has in common with it's "ancestor" is the dual rocker and intake/exhaust port configuration. No matter what, displacement, cam timing, induction, a 3G hemi built the same way as any LA or Magnum series small block (except for maybe a set of W2/W7 heads) will produce more power simply because on the cylinder heads ability to breathe.

I don't know why you are butthurt, no one said the 360 was a bad engine. I swapped one into a 72 Charger to replace the 318 that was in it (one of the best engines ever made). The 5.7/6.1 are an improvement is all. The 360 was designed from the get go (in 1972) to be a large car/truck small block. Longer stroke than a 340, bigger bore than a 318. It was good in this role. The LA 360 was the daddy to the first Dodge V10 developed (1991, same bore size, same bore spacing, same stroke). So relax, everyone is entitled to an opinion based on observable facts and take some Midol.

 

 

I think if more power is what your after I would get a junkyard 360 (make sure the block is good and intact) then go with a 4" crank, bore out the cylinders over .060 I believe, w-2 or Edelbrock Performance heads and a good programmer. That was the build they used on the Carcraft 360 to 408 Stroker build and got about 600 horses on regular unleaded pump gas. That is more horse power than the stock 5.7 & 6.1 Hemis. Plus its cheaper than buying a new truck. Upgrade from the POS 46re 4 speed transmission, maybe some 4:10 gears and there wont be much that can touch you in the 1/4.

 

with the mods i have on my 5.9 and having 3.55 .. i smoke most hemis the only ones that are good is the 4th gens they have some gonads for sure ! !

 

LoL tell me about it! my friends little bro has a one and it made my Beast look like a geo.

 

Doesn't make much sense considering the 1/4 mile times are identical for the 3rd and 4th gen Hemi's. Sure the 4th gen makes more power, but they are also quite a bit heavier than our third gens.

 

yup! they avg out to 330tq out to the rear on dynos. I think its their new drive-train that makes a big difference.