Deven Hudon

Okay im building a motor for my 88 dodge ramcharger. I have a clean 318 block I pulled out of a pickup and my plans were to build a 390 stroker out of it. But I got thinking and I want some opinions. Would it be an easier route to build a 340 being a faster and more powerful motor or should I stick with my original plan and build the 390. I like the 390 idea because nobody really does it but I feel a built 340 would give me alot moes power. What's everyone's opinions on this??

Coronet 500

Welcome.
340 blocks are hard to come by, do the 318/390 for sure. these kits are not terribly expensive and there are many options.
Don't get stuck on the 340 mystique, with todays heads, modern camshaft design and stroker kits, it's just cubic inch difference nothing more. Search and you'll find plenty of 400hp 318 builds, the 390 c.i. you'll have a 3.94" bore 4.0" stroke not to far off the very popular 360/408 engine. With the right camshaft and induction you could make a ton of torque to pull that beauty.

Deven Hudon

Thank you. And that was my plan and I got thinking as well. Theoretically a motor with a small bore and long stroke is destined to make more torque and a big bore with a small stroke makes more hp. I was thinking with the right setup I would kill a 408 in the torque aspect with a 390 seeing they have the same stroke just the 390 has a smaller bore. I mean what do I know. I've learned alot about motors especially mopar small blocks. But I was thinking with a nice edelbrock performer rpm, with a set of aluminum heads, and the heads I was looking into were the new small block head truck flow is coming out with which is a 190cc direct bolt on to any small block mopar. And I wanted to do a nice cam to give it some rumble and get up there in the rpm range. And I just picked up a np435 out of a 86 3/4ton

Iowan

Do you mean Trick Flow heads?

I haven't heard much about them but if the rest of their products are an indication of what they are, they should be great for the sbm.

Coronet 500

When you start your build list search oil modifications to open oil passage diameters, usually done for high rpm engines but I do some or all on my blocks.

Porting and smoothing the main cap and oil pump outlet is a must and the feeds from right oil galley to main bearings are usually step drilled, restrictive and must be drilled through at minimum 9/32". This can all be done by you easily at home before the block goes out for cleaning.

Deven Hudon

Dan I do alot of auto machine work at the shop I work at so all that will already be taken care off. And lowan I meant trick flow not trick. I mostly started this thread to get opinions on whether I should go the 340 route or stick with the 318/390 stroker build. Because I really want something to can drive and yes have it go fast but have so much torque i can roast the tire at the touch of the pedal

Coronet 500

Well then, good luck.

Iowan

Let me understand, your going to build a 390 or a 340?

Iowan

Have you considered a magnum build or better yet a gen 3 heml, a gen 3 with vortex supercharger would have more grunt and a stronger bottom end.
A magnum 360 should be fairly easy to find and stroker kits are available.
Either way you can get the trans from the same truck and have overdrive.

Deven Hudon

Everyone goes that route to a magnum or a newer heni. Personally Its cool and all but it's just not my style. I'd rather and old LA motor.

Iowan

I here that, I've got a thing for the 440.

RacerHog

It's a lot of fun to say... Yep.... It's a teen.... 500 Ponys…..
Just take money to get any of them done... You just have to pick one...