How to Build Big-Inch Mopar Small Blocks: Up to 476 Cubic Inches

List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $17.46 You Save: $7.49 (30%)

Item # SA104  ISBN: 1932494065




Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

At one time, if you wanted big horsepower in your Mopar muscle car or truck, your choices were limited to a big-block swap or a coveted Hemi. At the very least, you needed different engine mounts, K-members, transmissions, headers, etc. – and Hemis have never been cheap!

But now there's another way to get more horsepower: boring and stroking your Mopar small-block to get more cubic inches – up to 476 cubes! The small-block Mopar is one of the easiest engines in which to increase displacement without extensive modifications or specialized machine work – the engine was practically designed for more cubes. This book shows you how to get that big-cube power, and then it shows you how to optimize the small-block’s other systems – induction, heads, valvetrain, ignition, exhaust, and more – to make the most of the extra cubic inches.

Author Jim Szilagyi is a Performance Specialist for Dodge Motorsports and Mopar Performance Parts. In this book he covers building big-inchers from Mopar 318/340/360-ci LA or Magnum 5.2-/5.9-liter engines, using both factory and aftermarket parts. If you want to make big power from your Mopar small-block, this is the book for you.

Table of Contents

Dedication | Acknowledgements

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Hot rod and street rod engines | Production small-block engines | Why LA and Magnum engines are shown in the same book | Mopar performance parts

CHAPTER 2: MADE TO BE STROKED
Advantages | Potential problem areas | Stroker kits

CHAPTER 3: CYLINDER BLOCKS
LA engine blocks (1964-1992) | 360 Magnum engine block (1993-2003) | 340 replacement engine block | R3 engine block | Aluminum A engine block | Block preparation | Block selection

CHAPTER 4: CRANKSHAFT
Crankshaft basics | Types of cranks | Stroke | Bearings | Internal and external balance

CHAPTER 5: OILING SYSTEM
Problems with the stock oiling system | Recommended modifications | Optional modifications | Conclusion

CHAPTER 6: CONNECTING RODS
Rod length | Rod ratio | Stock LA rods | Stock Magnum rods | Fasteners | Block clearance | Pre-assembly | Conclusion

CHAPTER 7: PISTONS and RINGS
Material and processes | Forged | Dished, flat top, or dome? | Valve clearance | Compression height | Weight | Rings | Conclusion

CHAPTER 8: CAMSHAFTS
Production cams | Cam bearings | Cam drive | Timing chain tensioner | HP thrust plate | Fuel pump eccentric | Problems with flat tappet camshafts | Stroker cams | Roller tappets on R3 blocks | Used R3 blocks | Conclusion

CHAPTER 9: CYLINDER HEADS
Iron vs. aluminum | Valve angle | Valve spacing | Ports & chambers | Flow | Cylinder head selection | CNC porting | Conclusion

CHAPTER 10: VALVETRAINS
48-degree valvetrain | Valvetrain oiling | Tappets | Pushrods | Rocker arms—LA heads | Rocker arms—Magnum heads | Valvesprings | Retainers | Valves | Valve to guide clearance | Conclusion

CHAPTER 11: INDUCTION SYSTEMS
Manifold types | LA 340/360 heads | W2 heads | W8, W9 heads | Magnum heads | Fuel pump | Magnum fuel injection (MPI) intakes | Magnum intake—oil leaks | Distributor clearance | Cross-over pocket | Conclusion

CHAPTER 12: EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Header basics | Types of headers | LA heads | Magnum heads | W2 heads | W9 heads | Exhaust system

CHAPTER 13: COOLING SYSTEMS
Cooling theory | Improved cooling | Cross drilling block | Cylinder head modification | Radiator | Electric cooling fan | Oil cooler | Water pump | Radiator cap | Airflow through the radiator | Airflow through the radiator | Overflow bottle | Coolants | Conclusion

CHAPTER 14: BUILDING and BLUEPRINTING
Block preparation/engine mockup | Disassembly and cleaning | Final assembly | Additional information

CHAPTER 15: ENGINE PACKAGES

APPENDIX A
Stroker kits

APPENDIX B
Source guide | Source by type of product

ENGINE BUILD SHEET

How to Build Big-Inch Mopar Small Blocks: Up to 476 Cubic Inches