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300+ HP from a 318! Is this possible?

6K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  KThaxton 
#1 ·
I'm a newb to off-roading and just bought a 78 power wagon for my first 4x4. 318 V8 engine, completely overhauled!  Pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods are original, EVERYTHING ELSE NEW!  NEW Mopar Performance high volume oil pump, Mopar Performance 340 purple shaft cam, Mopar Performance double roller timing chain set.  Holley 650 cfm 4barrel carb with electric choke.  Original heads with all new valves and Mopar Performance valve springs. Summit racing headers with custom professionally bent dual exhaust and hooker free flow mufflers. I'm not lacking in power but I think I'm short of 300 HP. Where do I go from here for more horsepower?
 
#3 ·
What do you plan on doing with this truck?
Depending on which cam you have, it might not be the best choice for a 4x4. The carb is bit too large for the mods you mentioned, you'd get better drivability, low end power and throttle response from a smaller one. It's not a double pumper is it?

Keep in mind that with a truck, unless you are totally into mudding, low rpm torque should be your goal, more so than just peak horsepower.
 
#6 ·
300 HP is achievable with a 318 but first thing you gotta do is get rid of those heads.  They are holding you up.  Get some 360 heads and have them mildly ported and you will be really close to 300 with the other mods you have
 
#7 ·
This motor is in a truck, unless you are going to be dumpin the clutch along side a tuner car forget about horse power and concentrate on ways to build torque.  Of course you don't get one without the other, but stoking the motor will do more for you with a truck than spinning high rpm's.
 
#8 ·
Also, if you are running deep gears you can build more towards horsepower but you better have a rev limiter and strong parts.
 
#9 ·
Elwenil said:
Also, if you are running deep gears you can build more towards horsepower but you better have a rev limiter and strong parts.
{imwithstupid} lol j/k. I, personally, find my self higher in the rpms, and lower in the gears when off roading, and usually can care less about low end torque.

Depends on driving style just as much as use. Some people like to idle around, rarely exceeding 1500rpm. That's not for me, that's what people do at malls. Even when crawling I like higher rpms and more gear.
 
#11 ·
Depends.  I can go balls out on the throttle, making a bunch of noise and still not be going anywhere fast.
 
#12 ·
Elwenil said:
Depends. I can go balls out on the throttle, making a bunch of noise and still not be going anywhere fast.
That's what I was getting at. Should have specified numerically higher gears. Basically, I'd much rather be near peak torque than lugging an engine.

KThaxton said:
Come to Moab. ;)

Going balls out when there's no reason to, that's what ******** do. ;D
No, that's what MEN do. Women in suvs idle around over hard surfaces at the mall.
 
#13 ·
joe s said:
That's what I was getting at. Should have specified numerically higher gears. Basically, I'd much rather be near peak torque than lugging an engine.
No, that's what MEN do. Women in suvs idle around over hard surfaces at the mall.
I love numerically higher gears too.. Sure my truck is spinning 3k at 55mph but when i'm moving slowly it puts me right in the power band. Which is awesome for plowing snow or dragging things. Works great for climbing over steep hills and rocks too.

The only Time i Idle around, is when i'm driving through town at lower speeds, i'll shift into 4th and just let the truck coast at idle
 
#14 ·
Thanks everybody for the info! This site has been awesome. I'll need a well rounded 4x4. I'm lucky enough to live where we have all types of off roading but mostly need a good truck on the sand. I think I got all the info I need, Mahalo for helping out a newbie. ALOHA!
 
#15 ·
joe s said:
That's what I was getting at. Should have specified numerically higher gears. Basically, I'd much rather be near peak torque than lugging an engine.
No, that's what MEN do. Women in suvs idle around over hard surfaces at the mall.
Joe, Joe, Joe, {dont}

An intelligent mind such as yours, should be much more entertained by the slow, methodical, thought requiring tire placement of rock crawling, not the brainless peddle to the metal yahoo wheelin!
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. ;D
 
#16 ·
KThaxton said:
Joe, Joe, Joe, {dont}

An intelligent mind such as yours, should be much more entertained by the slow, methodical, thought requiring tire placement of rock crawling, not the brainless peddle to the metal yahoo wheelin!
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. ;D
I did not say pedal to the metal ;) I prefer careful placement of my foot and just the right rpm to maintain proper wheel spin, while maneuvering a tight up hill trail....I have ADD-no patience to deal with slow "precise" maneuvering, not to mention I do enough low speed technical driving on a daily basis. Try an I-10 5pm traffic jam. Little cars darting beneath my bumper are all the more challenge I require. Especially with sloppy brakes and steering.
 
#17 ·
joe s said:
I did not say pedal to the metal ;) I prefer careful placement of my foot and just the right rpm to maintain proper wheel spin,
As in loss of traction "wheel spin"? You dirt guys......I don't know ::) ;D

I do enough low speed technical driving on a daily basis. Try an I-10 5pm traffic jam. Little cars darting beneath my bumper are all the more challenge I require. Especially with sloppy brakes and steering.
Blah blah blah. :p
 
#18 ·
KThaxton said:
As in loss of traction "wheel spin"? You dirt guys......I don't know ::) ;D
Wet rocks too!

Yes "loss of traction" as opposed to mindlessly slipping through the converter under stall speed all day. ::) Someday maybe I will give that a shot, but I seriously doubt it will be my kind of thing. ;D

***Sorry, original poster, don't mind our useless banter.***
 
G
#20 ·
joe s said:
{imwithstupid} lol j/k. I, personally, find my self higher in the rpms, and lower in the gears when off roading, and usually can care less about low end torque.

Depends on driving style just as much as use. Some people like to idle around, rarely exceeding 1500rpm. That's not for me, that's what people do at malls. Even when crawling I like higher rpms and more gear.
Well, well, well, looks like we got us a throttle jockey. I guess Joe will provide some entertainment.
 
#21 ·
Can't wait for him to finish his truck and come play with us. Trails, mud, whatever. Don't do much rock, ouch!!! Not into body damage.  But we do get in a variety of wheeling here in Texas. I do agree tho, swap in a 360. You can do more with it.
 
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