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Swirl Port 318 Heads

12K views 17 replies 5 participants last post by  silvermopar1 
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#1 ·
Ok so i have a new question for you guys, what are your opinions about 318 swirt port heads??

Cause the guy at o'reilly's sayed that the heart shaped combustion chamber is better than the older style (round combustion chamber in the heads)

Where that decent heads or just basically crap
 
#2 ·
The swirl port heads are better than non-swirl port heads. I can't explain why however, someone else will have to do that. Problem is, finding a set that aren't cracked. They only used them for a few years, not sure which there either but it was something like 85-88.

Chris
 
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#3 ·
well i have a set of 83 heads, on my 360 block, and i didnt put oversized valves in them, and im wondering about how good they will flow, cause i have heard that 318 heads flow bad...

but do swirl port heads flow bad cause i was reading on another site and another guy sayed that they flow terible....

i know i will have more low end torque but ive nervus about highway speeds....
 
#6 ·
The '302 heads flow about the same as any 318 head except maybe better on the exhaust side.  318's use 1.78/1.50 valves and 360's use 1.88/1.60 valves.  Shouldn't put 318 heads on a 360 or it will make it very weak on the upper ends of the RPM range.
 
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#7 ·
chrysler300le said:
The '302 heads flow about the same as any 318 head except maybe better on the exhaust side. 318's use 1.78/1.50 valves and 360's use 1.88/1.60 valves. Shouldn't put 318 heads on a 360 or it will make it very weak on the upper ends of the RPM range.
like about 5000-6000 rpm being the upper RPM range??
 
#8 ·
If you port the 302s  install the 1.88/1.60 valves you can have a combo for a 318 or a 360
most iron 360 heads have a 67-70cc head. putin  ported 302 heads on a 360 can increase
the the compression of the motor all good. A stock set of 302 heads is not going to do
a whole bunch 
 
#10 ·
While on the subject of porting heads, how much hp/tq/milage is a good port job and valve resize good for... well, it will vary but roughly?  To set some variables, lets say on a stock engine, just reworking the heads, no other modifications.
 
#11 ·
Thats a tough one to answer because there are other variables such as intake, carb and exhaust that could be really restrictive.  If they are then porting wont' do much.  Porting the area behind the valves will give the most gains ( bowl porting).  Gasket matching will give the least gains.  Opening the pushrod area helps too.  Bigger valves help power across the entire RPM range.  If you do port read steve dulcich porting articles on mopar muscle magazines website.
 
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#12 ·
1.78/1.50 - 318
1.88/1.60 - 360

ok so i got it but thats only a difference of .1 on both intake and exhaust valve's...

also if you say they (302 heads) flow a lil better on the exhaust side, then that would help it, cause im not like most teenagers who beat the hell out of everything they drive, i prefer to take it easy so it will last longer...

but in 3rd gear wouldn't 65 mph, be about 2600 rpm??

whats the difference of the CC's in the combustion chamber for the 302 heads, and 318, and 360 heads??

 
#13 ·
less cc adds in compression of the motor. Most 360s of the 80s were 8-1 to 8.5-1 motors with
a large cc combustion chamber of the heads. The 302 318 head has a 57 cc head  much smaller
puttin 57 cc head on a 80s 360  can rasie the compression around 9-1. Mopar muscle a few years
ago found some power out of them
 
#14 ·
You say that like it's no big deal, but .1 is an 11% increase of surface area on the intake side. That doesn't mean flow, but the potential is there with bowl work.

Good thing there is some info in our lovely but neglected FAQ section:

http://ramchargercentral.com/engine/head-specs/
http://ramchargercentral.com/engine/what-can-i-do-to-my-318-a-faq/

I know the 2nd link is for a 318 in a car, not a 360 in a truck. You can still apply certain techniques and general ideas to the over all build plan.
 
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#15 ·
Joe i have already read those posts on the site, when i was 'exploring the site', but Thanks Again, and thanks to everyone else who has helped me....

the engine is already build, so i should just drive it the way is, but for a 4x4 stand point, its useless

but it the future (when i have the money and Obama will maybe ACCUALLY do something about the economy) i shall build a better engine, and im going to an Automotive Class at a trade school next year in school, maybe it will teach me something i dont already know :p
 
#16 ·
Kenneth, did you just build up a 360 with 318 heads?  Strongly consider putting a set of 360 heads on there.  There will be a huge difference in performance.  It would take a lot to get 318 heads to match 360 heads in flow.  its not just valve size its port size too.
 
#18 ·
Swaping out your heads is not that hard and does not requre pulling the engine.  Remove some of the accesories on the front of the engine, like A/C, Alternator, and perhaps Smog pump.  Then you remove the intake manifold, then the valve covers, and then the heads.  Well, pretty much thats all there is to it.  But Leave the block bolted in the vehicle.
 
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