christiansherman

Im looking for the best way to get power out of my 78 cordoba 360. I want around 350-400hp and still get good gas mileage. What would be the best set up. What all do i have to do to the 360? What Tranny? and what rear end?

89ram150

That's a tall order. I'd recommend a 5 speed trans if you want to go the manual route, or if you go auto, something with an overdrive for sure if you want any kind of gas mileage over 45 mph. The A-518 is basically a 727 with overdrive, if you can get one that can handle that kind of power that may be the way to go. I'd imagine the Cordoba is pretty heavy, so you need to gear it so that it'll get up and go from a stop (maybe 3.7x to 4.1x ratio), but that 5th gear or that o/d in the auto will give you low enough rpm's at highway speeds. "Good" gas mileage with 350-400hp is probably going to be in the neighborhood of 11-13 mpg? I could be wrong.

Coronet 500

Very good insight by 89. Look up on Comp Cams site their Camquest 6 programme. This will allow you to fool with carbs, cams, manifolds and other engine components and see horsepower and torque outputs.

christiansherman

Well that solves trans problem, what should or can i do to make the motor get 300-400 hp. 13mpg would be ok.

christiansherman

Tried camquest and it wont work for my mac, Idk i want this car to be the dodge version of a monte carlo. Maybe ill just do a motor swap. I cant find anything out there to help me make a decision. Yeah i know its a luxery and ppl would get mad at me but screw it i want it to be fast man lol

Coronet 500

I ran your 360 with 700cfm, hi flow 2 plane intake, small tube headers no cats, stock heads at 4000lbs and came up with these numbers. Flywheel outputs.
Both say street cam, slight choppy idle, can be used with stock converter.

265DEH = 305 hp 390 tq.

275DEH = 315 hp 375 tq.

The one thing holding the combination back is the stock cylinder heads and valve size. 350 hp could be easily attained with not much work and stock short block.

christiansherman

Cool cool, i heard somewhere 280 cams would do alot to the la short block. so intake carb and cam will make it from 150hp to 300?

christiansherman

it says it has an 8.25 rear end and the tranny is a 3 speed torqueflite.

Coronet 500

I highly recommend HP Books, How to Hot Rod Small-Block Mopar Engines by Larry Shepard. Do your research and ask many questions before diving in and spending money on things not needed or that may hurt your combo. Search this forum thoroughly and I'm sure you will find others combinations and the real world driving results. Good Luck. Oh, you don't want something like a Monty you want a classy car....CORDOBA.

christiansherman

I havent got alot of responses so far. I will check into that. Im just getting so frustrated.

Coronet 500

Here is some good reading:http://www.allpar.com/mopar/4bbl.html
and some head info:http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...ead/index.html

TVLynn

Getting 400 hp is not too difficult. Making use of it in your Cordoba will require at least 3.91 gears and a high stall converter not conductive to gas mileage . Even with a A518 overdrive trans. A switch to 3.23 gears with the overdrive will make your mileage goal, it will be a dog out of the hole. Would be an excellent freeway flyer. not a drag car

89ram150

As was mentioned before, getting the hp numbers you want should be easy. There are 318's out there that have over 400 hp, so with an extra 42 cubes, being in the mid 300's is pretty straightforward. Also as mentioned before, heads can be critical to any engine. The tallest, longest-duration cam out there is pretty useless if the heads won't flow. Look at all your individual components, pick out the weakest link, and start your improvements there.

christiansherman

Thanks everyone. I dont really want it to be a race car i just want it to be faster than it is. if i could keep up camaros id be happy

scotts74birds

I like the Cordoba's, unfortunately, they have the aerodynamics of a brick, and weigh about as much as a car made of them. Add a smog, and compression choked 360, and there is no happy answer. How bout a cheap, small nitrous kit? As long as you dont get stupid with it, or over-size it, you may get what you want.

christiansherman

Is there a way i can take all that ish off the motor to make it better. What is it exactly that makes this motor only have 160hp and get such ish gas mileage. If you compare a chevy 350 and a dodge 360..it just doesnt make since to me. I mean i knew it was slow but 160hp from a v8? i am planning on rebuilding the motor due to its head, valve guides and all. Are there bolt on parts, or manifolds that could help. A 350 gets close to 300hp and 15mpg..thats basically what i feel this car shoulda had in first place when they produced it.

blue 68 gts

Go with a 6.1 chipped hemi and a tremac 5 speed and 3.55:1 or 3.77:1 gearing.

christiansherman

What year..i mean chipped? You mean fuel injected then right?

christiansherman

First off thats like 7000 just for srt8 motor, second id have to get a wiring harness from...? I might as well just get a newer charger lol. It would be cool tho to pop the hood of the doba and it be all fuel injected and new looking. Id probly get alot better gas mileage too