318 LA block build ideas

[LS1K5]

I have 2 1971 318 blocks in good condition, one is the matching numbers block to my car and the other is from a dart. I'd like to build one or both of them eventually, my matching numbers block needs a crank but ran perfectly and the other had low compression and lots of blow by. I was thinking of just swapping cranks and keeping the matching numbers engine completely stock but I'd probably never use it even though I have all the parts to make my gran coupe as original as the day it rolled off the assembly line, I doubt there is much value in that and the car wasn't much fun to drive when it was 100% original. I have several sets of late 60s early 70s 340 heads and a matching 4 barrel intake, I was thinking about putting in some forged dome pistons to up the compression on an all cast iron engine. I was also thinking of using a scat 3.58" stroke 318/340 crank with some 1.72" compression height stock type pistons but I'm guessing they would probably hit the counterweights on the crank, what are some of the things you guys have done with 318 blocks besides a 4" stroke rotating assembly?

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Your project really comes down to what you want out of the car. One direction is to keep everything original, another is to modify your package to get more performance. Budget dictates a large percentage of the direction too. I've built 318's & 360's using basically stock parts and was disappointed by the results. They were very dependable engines but lacked the wow factor I was looking for. The last small block project I did was replacing the 360 engine in my 70 Duster. The engine was worn out and was a real bow wow. I replaced it with a Blueprint Engines 408 stroker (based on the 360 magnum roller engine). Wow, what a difference! Yes, it was expensive but accomplished what I wanted. I changed the torque converter to match the engine torque range (3500) and put 3.55 gears into it. Was a real mover. With 275/60/15 rear tires it would spin them if I nailed the gas at 40 mph. Again, have a heart-to-heart with yourself and settle on what your goal is... then make plans to get there!

 

[Xcudame]

The poor 318 gets a bad wrap because it was for the most part a 2bbl "grocery getter". And it doesn't cost anymore to build a 360 than a 318. But think about this. It's a numbers matching engine in a 1971 Barracuda Gran Coupe! 20 or 30 years ago that's not too exciting of a combo, but it sure is now.
Also, think of the 318 as a small bore 340. Chrysler blessed us with valves on the small blocks that open on center so the big valve 340 heads bolt on with no major valve clearance issues. Quick look at Summit shows KB167 hypereutectic pistons and Icon IC844 forged pistons both have a compression height of 1.810 (1.822) is flush with the deck. With a stock 340 cam (or better yet something in the .500" lift) and iron rocker arms for higher rpms than the stamped steel rockers, a 318 can be made to scream! With a dropped down air cleaner to hide the four barrel, few would notice it's not a little 2 bbl 318.

 

[LS1K5]

I guess I should have started off by saying that my car currently has a tkx 5 speed and 416 small block, just looking for some ideas on what to do with the matching numbers 318 or the other 318. I do have a 73 340 rotating assembly so the crank and rods from that might be fun to put into the 318 with some IC 844 or IC 845 Pistons.