How do I put in a bigger motor.

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PaPitt

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... SO What is the best & cheapest way to get a bigger motor in my 1988 D250 Flat bed truck .
Nine actually has a 5.2L 318CID . i DON'T EVEN HAVE A 360.
so I've been toying with going to the wrecking yard or Craig List & buying a 360 Motor & then taking it to my Machine shop buddy. & Getting him to bore it So I can have few more cubic inches.
..... Now I guess the biggest question is Could I use the 318 EFI stuff from the heads up. Or is the same year model the same or is the 360 EFI STUFF different from my 318 stuff. & Can you run the 318 intake on the 360.

...........Now I'll Probably get the 360 efi stuff on top of a purchased engine But It might not be as good as my engines stuff. SO as to not have to fit items that aren't good I was hoping the 318 & 360 efi items were the same .
I don't know so tell if they interchange .
But my old truck needs a bigger motor.
But i DON'T WANT TO SPEND 3k .
thanks
 

u2slow

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I do believe intakes swap with carb and TBI but there's port size differences (heads vs intake) with certain combinations. Magnum heads changed the intake bolt pattern.

Maybe sniff around over at ramchargercentral... more guys there dabbling with this stuff.
 

crazykid1994

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I would think the 360 should drop in but you’ll probably need the 360 computer for it to run properly
 
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PaPitt

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ok thanks U2Slow
......
.Is ramchargercentral on this web sight or is it totally another web sight.
 

Dinky

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It is a 727 transmission a 360 should Bolt right up. The only thing different would be the torque converter. As for the computer well it should run it ok but you can have reprogrammed if needed or even just buy one. If it was me I would just scrap the old computer and install a new fuel injection aftermarket.
 
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PaPitt

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DINKY . Are you saying just put in an aftermarket computer Or put in a different EFI system .
.........
... Would the org computer not ''RELEARN some new parameters''. & Just adjust it's self to provide more fuel to the bored out 360.
................
...... Also what's a proper amount to bore the 360 just to gain some more inches . But not push it to getting HOT.
THANKS .
 

BlackGold6.4

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It would be cheaper to upgrade your 318. There is lots of support for the 318 as far as performance goes. My 2nd 318 I had had exhaust, intake and aftermarket spark upgrades and I left it like that because was very happy with the improvement and fuel mileage. If you want mopower than that then go for a cam and top end upgrade. If this 318 is tiered then ya get a 360. If I was swapping out the 318 for something new I would go with the 360 but a done up 360.. what ever you decide please keep us posted eh!
 

Dinky

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DINKY . Are you saying just put in an aftermarket computer Or put in a different EFI system .

If you going to build or mildly build a motor 318 or 360. I would look at a aftermarket EFI system. Those old efi throttle body's systems had a lot of ghost problems and the mapping will relearn to a certain point till it runs out of mapping. All depends on how much money you want to sink into a project. The 360 is capable of more power but the 318 can still generate good amounts and have better fuel economy.
 

u2slow

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Also, what axle ratio? If it's 3.21 or 3.54, a move to 4.10 will help a bunch. A flatdeck is usually quite a bit heavier than a factory pickup box.
 
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PaPitt

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Yes I'd say my FlatBed would be much heavier. As it's an old Western Hauler Wrecker bed.
But it sound like it's pulling like it should. I'd think if I put in a 4:10 my mileage would drop big time . & I'd never get where I'm going. I've never owned a 360 but As I worked at Chrysler I drove a lot of 360. They always seemed to
really have more power than the 318s.
You all sound like you'r saying just stick with the 360 & not bore it .030 or .040 for a few more inches.
My only concern about boring up to maybe 40 over . It it over heating in the summer time . AS It really gets hot here
.....Keep any more thoughts coming in.
 

Dinky

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Yes I'd say my FlatBed would be much heavier. As it's an old Western Hauler Wrecker bed.
But it sound like it's pulling like it should. I'd think if I put in a 4:10 my mileage would drop big time . & I'd never get where I'm going. I've never owned a 360 but As I worked at Chrysler I drove a lot of 360. They always seemed to
really have more power than the 318s.
You all sound like you'r saying just stick with the 360 & not bore it .030 or .040 for a few more inches.
My only concern about boring up to maybe 40 over . It it over heating in the summer time . AS It really gets hot here
.....Keep any more thoughts coming in.


Well there is always a 440.... it will also bolt up to the 727 trans....
 

pacofortacos

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Define what you want as I bet you want more torque not nec. more high rpm power.
If you want more low rpm power, then stroking the 318 or a 360 will get what you want.
Just going to the newer magnum style heads will help too..
However, this route will probably blow past your budget.

Low budget would be a 360 magnum dropped in place of the 318 LA motor. Then you are either stuck with going carb or aftermarket EFI system as the old TBI system wasn't really that great - actually it is only slightly better than a carb.
 

Daw14

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Well there is always a 440.... it will also bolt up to the 727 trans....
There are two different size bellhousings for v-8 small blocks - 273, 318, 340, 360. Big block -383, 400, 440, maybe 413 but not certain. Small block 727 also works with the gen3 hemi .
 

u2slow

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An overbore is to have smooth/clean bores again with new snug-fitting pistons. The extra couple cubes is incidental.

Unless you have 383-440 big-block runners kicking around, better to look at a stroker kit for a 360. Sounds like you have a budget though.

Edit: axle ratio is a funny thing. You can end up burning as much or more fuel by operating outside your optimal powerband. Didn't know if you'd considered it.
 
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PaPitt

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Yes I definitely do have a budget . Or closer said .. I'm just to tight to spend a big chunk of money on something like this truck. .
Ive had a 400cid & then a 440 into that 75 truck . That one really was a flop . As my new Edelbrock AFB OR AVS Gulled my cyl walls.
Dang I hated that.
............
......I'm from as far back as in high school we builf 301's from 283 chevys.
283's bored out to .125.. Now if you could keep them cool they really ran .I later too a 350 block & A big journal 327 crank & Made my own 302chevy.
It too really ran without getting hot.
...
.. But I was not sure how much one could bore the 360. & I'll agree .030 doesn't help much .
... But I guess Summit & maybe Rock Auto would be the 1st places to check for the 360 stoke kits .
Yes I'm not wanting high RPM'S just bottom end power .. GUTS or Balls .
 
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