I asked this on FABO, but I figured I might as well ask it on here.

So, I've got a 360 engine sitting on the side I'm going to send to IMM engines to do some work. The detail I have on the 360 is that it's 9:1 compression, has ported J heads, a Mopar M1 intake, a Paxton supercharger, a 700 or 750 CFM Holley Carb, and TTI A-body shorty headers. The engine was running autcrosses 2 weeks before it was pulled so I know for a fact it was running and driving well (some of you probably have seen the car before). It was rebuilt last sometime in the 90's; however, there are currently a couple minor issues. It does have a couple oil leaks here and there and the compression reads about 150 psi on all cylinders except for one which was at around 120 psi. Cam and internals are kind of unknown, but IIRC the internals were all cast components. When the engine was fuel injected it made about 390 whp.

The engine this is going to be installed in is my '68 Dodge Dart. It will primarily be used for street cruising, an autocross at least 1-2 times a month, and a couple track days 1-2 times a year. It will be run behind a T56, an 8 3/4 with 3.55 gears, an Eaton TrueTrac, 18 x 9" wheels, and 255/40/18 tires.

So, originally, the plan was to take it to IMM for a minor rebuild. I'd have IMM tear it all down, make sure the bores and heads are good, install new gaskets and seals, dyno, tune, and break it in.

Now here are my thoughts... The Mopar M1 intake is pretty tall and with the supercharger I'm pretty sure it won't clear my stock flat hood. I don't really want to swap the hood, but I'd imagine an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap could be the solution. Another thing, is that the supercharger is added weight (my guess is ~20 lbs, especially up high) which would theoretically make handling worse since the front would be more nose heavy. The last concern is that IMM told me they'd rather work on a stroker than a supercharger. My guess is it would be difficult to tune without fuel injection.

My other idea was to stroke it so that I can keep the weight down and the horsepower up. If one of the cylinders are scarred, it's going to need at least new pistons anyways. If I stroke it, and it's in the budget, I was also thinking about going with aluminum heads and a SCAT forged rotating assembly. With this setup, I'd still keep the carburetor and M1 intake. And thinking about it, I could probably install A/C again somewhere down the line.

I see pros and cons to the supercharger. Pros being it's more efficient, shouldn't cost more than stroking, and it has the wow factor. Cons would be it's "more complex" meaning more things can go wrong, increased weight where I really don't want it, no A/C, and potentially has clearances issues with the stock hood.

If I take the supercharger off, I'd probably save it for my next engine build I'm planning (right now) or just sell it. Same with the J heads.

What are your thoughts? I'd be happy with an engine that runs at around 375-400 whp (or more), is reliable, and runs on no more than 91 octane.

Which Direcion Should I Go? single choice
	Supercharged
	Stroked
Votes accepted starting: 10/10/15 09:28 PM
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Both.

If you're limited to one choice, then stroke it.

I just feel like that would be overkill... Everyone keeps tempting me.

Stroke for torque and supercharge for more torque

Stop it guys... Stop putting thoughts in my head.

Then also throw on a turbo charger for good luck.

On the AutoX and especially track days, it will get beat on pretty hard. I think the stroker will hold up better... plus lighter.

Option C. Head and cam 5.7

Maybe in a couple years or if I ever get a E/B-body. I just wanted an easy swap for the first go around. Plus, the poll I put up recommended I get a 360 .

When I saw TTi's booth about fitting they're Gen III Hemi headers and a Borgeson Steering box in an A-body last Spring Fling, it's almost comical. It's tight as some members have experienced.

That was along my line of thinking. Less to go wrong and lighter.

The header thing isn't ideal hit it can be made to work.


I can support putting a mild small block, but I wouldn't put a ton of money into mine when a stock block head and cam 5.7 will put down over 400rwhp, idle at 550rpm and have provisions for AC built in.

Right, and I agree with you. I love the Gen III Hemi's a lot. A year or so ago, that's what I wanted, but once I factored in the engine, mods, fuel injection, and the scope of labor (whether it was my own or someone else's) I had trouble justify the cost and the time. The Dart is something I wanted to enjoy asap. I didn't want it to be an on going project for the next 2-5 years. That's why I took it to a shop because I know it wouldn't get done if I did it and I'd eventually get so frustrated I'd probably stop working on it.

If I get a second project car that ends up being mostly driveable (or I'm able to get it into that state), I'd definitely consider doing an engine swap to a Gen 3 Hemi or whatever Ma Mopar releases within the next 3+ years or so.

Not a Mopar, but a relative of mine bought a 90's 5.0 with a Paxton already on it and drag raced with it that way for a year or so. The supercharger would get scalding hot after the first couple passes and the car would become so inconsistent there was no way to guess what it was going to do the next pass. Making rounds with it was pure luck. Eventually he got tired of it and sold supercharger setup and went to a 351 stroker instead. The car is almost 2 seconds faster and much easier to deal with.

You can get 475 + hp from a 408 mopar small block pretty easily. Buy some edelbrock heads, a performer rpm intake ,and a 750 or bigger carburetor and your there.

I would just sell the whole thing as is and build a new engine, about the only thing that might be good on that setup is the block, thats if it is not the reason for the low compression.

Another good point... I bought this engine because I knew for a fact that it was running with minor/fixable issues. The only problem is I'd like to get the Dart done sooner than later and engine hunting right now isn't my cup of tea.

If I do that, I'd definitely go with a Hemi. Lol. Happy Alex?

Edit: Darn it, now I want a Hemi...

Option X) Put it in as is and go have fun?


Or did I miss something that is really holding you back from doing that?

The compression numbers you give are in complete, are those numbers wet or dry? With a blower you might only have a headgasket issue. Smallblocks are a bit sensitive in that regard compared to a bog block, 4 head bolts per cylinder vice 5.

The previous owner did it and IIRC it may have been wet as it was still in the car.

Well, that is an option; however, because of the small issues I didn't want to take it out in a year or so in the future do to a mechanical malfunction.