New Engine

Can't decide on what engine to go with in my '82 Fury - it's my daily driver and sees 50/50 city/highway driving. I beat on it hard, want the power and at least some semblance of fuel economy/ street manners. My 2 options: rebuild the LA 318 I have or go with an LA 360.

318 option: machine work (basic clean up, assembly and balancing) KB 167 pistons, lightweight con rods (Which ones?), Lunati Voodoo 256/262 cam, Magnum heads.

360 option: Machine work, same cam, performance torque converter for stock 904 OR 727, torque converter, driveshaft shortened.

Any thoughts? 4000# car and 2.94 gears

Money out of your pocket is about the same (provided you can get a 360 reasonable), so there is no replacement for displacement. Build the 360.

Build up the 904, or the OD version of the 904.

3;55 rear gears would be a lot more fun, but coupled with the 360, might hurt the MPG a bit, unless you go with an OD trans. Gene

Since I've had both the 318 and the 360 in my 87 Diplomat with the same gearing you mention I will share my observations.

318 - stock 2bbl 87 with an Edelbrock 4bbl and MP ignition added
360 - stock 2bbl 79 with same ignition, carb but with a Comp XE 262 cam.

All else pretty much the same. With the Edelbrock 600 carb the 318 got 25ish high, the 360 low 20's highway, which is what about 90% of my driving was back then. With an Edelbrock 750 I got low 20's on the 318, high teen with the 360. Top speed was about 15 moh higher with the 750 but the 600 was better all other areas.

I'd build the Magnum 360 myself.

I'd forget the LA engines and find a good running used magnum 5.2 or 5.9. Have the cam reground, induction system of your choice and a good exhaust should feel like night and day difference in your car. Ideally also find a 92-95 and yank the hydraulic overdrive transmission as well and use that so you can swap in some 3.55 or 3.73 gears into your car!

The trans tunnels/mounts on the M-body won't fit the overdrive trans without cutting out the tunnel and welding in a new trans support bracket and enlarged tunnel. I would go the magnum route but don't want to mess w/ having to reroute all the accessories and not sure it will work w/ an 80's A/C compressor w/o modification. Not a whole lot of room to work in those engine bays...

360