Small Block Dodge Motor Question

Discussion in 'Station Wagon Lounge' started by jrhcrewchief, May 10, 2015.

  1. jrhcrewchief

    jrhcrewchief Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    35
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    new york
    I just purchased a 1987 Dodge Diplomat 4 Door Sedan.
    Price was too good to pass up.
    Has a great running 318.
    Question is-has anyone here done some performance mods on the 318 or do I just pull it out and perform the same mods on a 360.
    I'm talking about new heads, 4bbl and intake, cam and headers.
    Thanks.
     
  2. patrick80

    patrick80 Wagonista!

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    OK
    In that respect, what you do on a 318 or a 360 is about the same. If you swap to a 360, you MUST use the proper torque converter and harmonic balancer for a 360. The 360 is externally balanced, while the 318 is internally balanced. I believe the motor mounts are different in '87, but you'll have to look at a FSM to know for certain.

    How much of a hot rod you are looking to make?
     
  3. Bigbarneycars

    Bigbarneycars Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    Messages:
    1,058
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    SE Michigan
    Well shucks Pilgrim

    Theirs a direct correlation between speed and the depth of your pockets. And the other side of that coin is that the faster you go, the faster the fuel gage moves toward empty. Guess you've gotta ask yourself how fast do you need to go to get the grocery's and at what cost;) My last Long Roof weighed 5800lbs and would eat the tires in less then a mile and got 8MPG all day long. Was it worth it? Not quite! Jer
     
  4. patrick80

    patrick80 Wagonista!

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    OK
    If it is such a nice-running car, why jack with it?
     
  5. jrhcrewchief

    jrhcrewchief Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    35
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    new york
    lookong for over 300 HP at the rear wheels. As far as fuel mileage is concerned it's not my daily-my Subaru Wagon is. Just wanna have some fun and do something different with a 4 door sedan. Was looking for some feedback as I don't have any Mopar mod experience and I have seen some great looking Mopar wagons on this forum.
    Thanks again to all
     
  6. ModelT1

    ModelT1 Still Lost in the 50's

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22,124
    Likes Received:
    1,435
    Trophy Points:
    808
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Central Illinois
    I was thinking the same thing. However I do understand the need for speed.:chirp:
    Why not get it looking good and flip it or trade for a big block car?
    I am planning on reviving my old hotrod with a 307. Not exactly hotrod material as it sits.
    But not only are my pockets not deep, they have holes in them. That and at my age speed makes me dizzy and watching the gas pump numbers go around makes me even dizzier!
    It's everyone's choice what to do with their toys. You could drop a hemi in it and borrow your wife's credit card. (y)
     
  7. Fat Tedy

    Fat Tedy Island Red Neck

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    18,099
    Likes Received:
    1,095
    Trophy Points:
    1,108
    Location:
    Victoria BC Canada
    Congrats on the new toy:tiphat: I had a 80 2 door with T-Tops back in the day (Canadian Plymouth Caravelle) , with the 318 minus the lean burn. Was a slow car that is for sure but what a cool ride and the best reliable car I have owned to date.

    Some inspiration for yours..............

    [​IMG]



    Now lets see yours!

    :ttiwwp:


    :tiphat:


    EDIT>>> Me, a pic of a pic from 1984. My friends as they drove total crust bucket beaters razzed me about "it looks like a cop car, a cop car with mags"....yet I can so relate to the comment in the above pic :evilsmile:

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    • 004.jpg
      004.jpg
      File size:
      115.2 KB
      Views:
      36
    Last edited: May 11, 2015
  8. jrhcrewchief

    jrhcrewchief Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    35
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    new york
    Thanks for the feed back. A hemi would be great but not at all practical.
    I'm from the points and condenser era anyway. When my local roundy round track has old timers night-I get an invite in the mail not addressed to occupant.
    I was reading a recent article that built a moderate 1992 and up 5.9 and did almost 400 hp on the dyno and it didn't seem too costly. As far as using a Diplomat 4 door- it's just different. As far as our cars are concerned-we all probably spend too much anyway.
     
  9. patrick80

    patrick80 Wagonista!

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    OK
    Nothing wrong with building a sleeper from a Mopar four-door. A buddy had a 1986 Fifth Avenue several years back that had a 1993 360 Magnum engine and the A518 auto o/d. Lots of work, because of that transmission (clearance!), but that ran like a scalded ape! He had some fairly quiet mufflers on it, so it was definitely a Q-ship. Wire wheel covers, whorehouse red interior and all!
     
  10. jrhcrewchief

    jrhcrewchief Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    35
    Wagon Garage:
    2
    Location:
    new york
    I thought a 4 door sleeper would be a great idea also. Years ago-probably mid 70's- I had a 1964 4 door sedan-Pontiac Tempest 6 cylinder with a 3 speed. I bought a wrecked GTO and put the entire drivetrain including the 4 speed in the Tempest. That car was way way too much fun, except when it was time to stop.
     
  11. ModelT1

    ModelT1 Still Lost in the 50's

    Joined:
    May 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22,124
    Likes Received:
    1,435
    Trophy Points:
    808
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Central Illinois
    Off Topic but---------------- Fat Tedy hasn't changed much since this photo. :rofl2::rofl2:
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Fat Tedy

    Fat Tedy Island Red Neck

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    18,099
    Likes Received:
    1,095
    Trophy Points:
    1,108
    Location:
    Victoria BC Canada
    No........not much at all!:slap::rofl2:
     
  13. patrick80

    patrick80 Wagonista!

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    OK
    Yup, those stock NINE-INCH brakes on the lo-perf models were an experience in buttpuckering in a panic stop!
     

Share This Page