86 Camperwagon 360 Build | Need Some Help

[CamperVanMan]

Hi all,

I bought a 1986 Dodge Camperwagon last summer (built on B250 I think?) and it is awesome. Only complaint is it comes with a 318 which is just not enough oomph, especially as we are moving to British Columbia and those mountains need some more power. So I am putting together a plan for a 360 swap with a mild performance boost and need some help / advice. I want to keep most of the stock stuff with the exception of cam, intake, carb, exhaust manifold, those will be swapped out for after market.

This thing needs to be able to pull itself up those big long steep hills while loaded down with all our gear and us. Also would like some more hold back going down those long hills, I guess that would be related to compression and gearing?

Here is what I had so far for after market parts:

B&M Flexplate. Napa does have these for about $100 (to fix the balancing difference between the to engine)

RV Cam - MP P4452757 .410/.425 and 248/256
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/dcc-4452757/overview/


Carb - Carter 600 CFM (Not available anymore?)
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/crt-9605/overview/
--- Might have to change this out for an edelbrock I guess.

Intake Manifold - Edelbrock Performer
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/edl-2176/overview/make/dodge

Headers - No clue. Ideas / advice?

Of course I'll also need a rebuild kit for gaskets etc etc.

Am I going to need different valve springs due to the cam change?

 

[Budnicks]

Try posting it in the general discussion section too, you will get possibly more viewers responses too

cam maybe OK, I didn't really look that close

intake I'd go with Performer RPM {instead of Performer} better power curve still great drivability too
overall better intake IMO

IMO you really have some head work done pocket porting @ a min.
free up flow & power/tq throughout the rpm ranges
& maybe a good multi angle performance valve job etc.

carb you could try the "newer" Street Demon 625cfm {spread-bore} as an alternative to the Edelbrock also

headers I'd get long tube headers makes more torque,
maybe get a truck model/header if you can't find them listed for a MH
that's what you need with a heavy rig like a motorhome

Maybe try Schumacher Creative services tri-y's {or their Dakota Headers ??}

 

[Auggie56]

The torque converters are different from the 318 to the 360. They fit but, the 360 is balanced where the 318 is not.

 

[CamperVanMan]

The torque converters are different from the 318 to the 360. They fit but, the 360 is balanced where the 318 is not.

I think B & M makes a custom flex plate to fix that when swapping to a 360, don't know much about it though, still researching. Thanks for the heads up!

@Budnicks

We don't have a lot of money to sink into this build just trying to get what we can mainly from boltons. That cam I read really wakes up the 360 as far as torque and bottom to mid-range that's the only reason i am springing for it. I would love to get some head work done and a good valve job though!

Thanks for the tips on intake, headers, and carb going to look into those.

 

[Derwud]

I would swap a Magnum out of a later Van, but that is me.

 

[CamperVanMan]

I would swap a Magnum out of a later Van, but that is me.

That means bringing over all the electrical that goes with it though right? I kinda like the idea of having this ole girl carbureted

 

[Photon440]

There are carb intakes that fit the Magnum...

 

[Derwud]

The FI on the Magnum was pretty rock solid. It should be a pretty easy conversion...

 

[CamperVanMan]

There are carb intakes that fit the Magnum...

Like this?

http://www.jegs.com/p/Mopar-Perform...um-Carburetor-Conversion-Kit/2872455/10002/-1

That might just be brilliant!

 

[CamperVanMan]

Looks like just going to beef up the 318 we have. I also found this article which is interesting read:

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-0312-318-long-block-bolt-ons/