Re: 360 vs 4.0

[farna@xxxxxxx]

In a light American, a 4.0L with equitable mods should get it in the high 13s/low 14s. The American doesn't weigh as much as a 4x4 Cherokee, and Ron had his 4.6L stroker Cherokee running high 13s/low 14s -- it would beat Mustang GTs at stop lights but only in 4WD (with auto trans). In 2WD it sits and burns rubber to long. I don't recall if he has stock gears (3.55 w/AW4) or went to 3.73s though. 

But yeah, dollar for dollar, I think the 4.0L will perform as well as a near stock 360. By that I mean if you open up the exhaust on the stock 360, do the same for the 4.0L. Get a better carb and intake for the 360, do equivalent upgrades for the 4.0L, etc. BONE STOCK, they perform close to the same. I do think the extra torque and the quicker pick-up of the 360 will make it a little faster in the quarter, maybe as much as 0.25 second. But to drop a 360 in and upgrade everything to handle the torque takes time and money -- more so than dropping in a 4.0L. Dollar for dollar, the 4.0L is cheaper and easier power. The wiring isn't the obstacle most people think. Just pick it up out of the Jeep, drop it in the car, and connect 5-6 wires. Yep, it's that easy as long as it's a pre 1996 model. 96+ models have security system issues and electronic gauges that have to be dealt with. 


On December 27, 2005 mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Frank; I'm still not buying it. You stated that the
> figures speak for them selves then go on to justify
> the numbers with about a page of "explanations". No,
> not gonna buy it.
<SNIP>
> Years ago when I pulled the 304 from my Gremlin and
> dropped in a 390-T10 combo a buddy had a a beater
> American. I explained what I was doing, he helped me
> wrench on the Econoline axle under the front, and the
> next week he was dropping in a 360-auto with the stock
> 4V manifold and carb I gave him. With just bare bones
> upgrades(dual exhaust with cut outs, a hot coil and
> cheater slicks) he got the car into the 13s. This was
> just all basic AMC stuff except the slicks and coil.
> He proceeded to tear up the rear end and ended up
> going to a Ford 9-inch. I lost track of him, but with
> just a basic 360 he got that American going. Do you
> really think a base 4.0 will get the car into the
> 13's, I don't.......Russ


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