Best way to get 250-300 HP? (AMC 360)

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  • Mr.Wagoneer
    232 I6
    • Jul 26, 2010
    • 244

    Best way to get 250-300 HP? (AMC 360)

    Dose any one know of a good way to raise a early 80's AMC 360 up to at least 250-300 HP? I don't plan to tow but I love racing up free-way on ramps

    I know aftermarket support is limited with AMC motors but other then bolt on's (Ignition/EFI) are there any internals that could be upgraded? I'm restoring my 83 Wagon and I would prefer to use the original AMC in it but build potential is limited, For example $3,100.00 buys me a good high performance fuel Injection kit for it but for that much buck I could just buy a complete Dodge Truck in good condition and have a 360 Magnum and it's A518 transmission with all the wiring!

    Thoughts? Suggestions?
    Year: 1983
    Make: AMC/Jeep
    Model: Wagoneer
    Trim: Limited
    ? AMC 360 5.9 Liter
    ? MotorCraft 2150 2 BBL Carb
    ? TF-727 3 Speed Automatic
    ? NP-229 Select-Trac Full/Part time transfer case
    ? Dana 44 Front Driver side drop AMC 20 Rear
    ? 109 in. Wheelbase
    ? 5975/6200 Lbs GVWR
    ? Manufactured in Toledo Ohio




  • #2
    pffffttt! gassers. Horsepower is overrated. Bolt on torque.
    Mark B. Jones

    Originally posted by GrandWag&Prix
    Actually, now that I think about it, that could be either awesome or really terrible.


    '79 Cherokee Chief "Junaluska"

    Comment

    • REDONE
      304 AMC
      • Aug 19, 2002
      • 1752

      #3
      I know you're looking for the short answer and not the long one involving volumetric efficiency and all that, so here it is. For more power, you need more RPMS. Recam to move the powerband up into the 3000-4000 range instead of the 2000-2500 range it has now, and regear the axles accordingly. You will own that freeway on ramp like a rich kid in his dads corvette!
      2012 Winner of the Prestigious Ouray Cast Iron Butt Award
      79 J-10 - The Money Badger!
      304/T18/D20/D44s
      What's been did:
      Holley 4160/Ede' S.P.2.P.
      MSD Streetfire based TFI
      Custom-hack gauge cluster
      Razor swap
      Fancy exhaust (Thrush Muffler)
      2 knob tape deck!
      3" homebuilt lift
      Half a hillbilly paint job

      Comment

      • Stuka
        • Jan 21, 2001
        • 13743

        #4
        300hp is very easy to get out of an AMC 360. You can go with a differ cam, intake, pistons, heads, exhaust, etc.

        It all depends on what you want to spend.

        Comment

        • Mr.Wagoneer
          232 I6
          • Jul 26, 2010
          • 244

          #5
          Originally posted by REDONE
          I know you're looking for the short answer and not the long one involving volumetric efficiency and all that, so here it is. For more power, you need more RPMS. Recam to move the powerband up into the 3000-4000 range instead of the 2000-2500 range it has now, and regear the axles accordingly. You will own that freeway on ramp like a rich kid in his dads corvette!
          I would very much like to own an on-ramp like a rich kid in his dad's corvette!
          Year: 1983
          Make: AMC/Jeep
          Model: Wagoneer
          Trim: Limited
          ? AMC 360 5.9 Liter
          ? MotorCraft 2150 2 BBL Carb
          ? TF-727 3 Speed Automatic
          ? NP-229 Select-Trac Full/Part time transfer case
          ? Dana 44 Front Driver side drop AMC 20 Rear
          ? 109 in. Wheelbase
          ? 5975/6200 Lbs GVWR
          ? Manufactured in Toledo Ohio



          Comment

          • Mr.Wagoneer
            232 I6
            • Jul 26, 2010
            • 244

            #6
            Originally posted by Stuka
            300hp is very easy to get out of an AMC 360. You can go with a differ cam, intake, pistons, heads, exhaust, etc.

            It all depends on what you want to spend.
            I know these parts can be upgraded but from where? where are these Performance heads and pistons the best I can find when looking for AMC performance Parts is a Rebuild kit
            Year: 1983
            Make: AMC/Jeep
            Model: Wagoneer
            Trim: Limited
            ? AMC 360 5.9 Liter
            ? MotorCraft 2150 2 BBL Carb
            ? TF-727 3 Speed Automatic
            ? NP-229 Select-Trac Full/Part time transfer case
            ? Dana 44 Front Driver side drop AMC 20 Rear
            ? 109 in. Wheelbase
            ? 5975/6200 Lbs GVWR
            ? Manufactured in Toledo Ohio



            Comment

            • FallonJeeper
              258 I6
              • May 28, 2010
              • 433

              #7
              Start with:
              1. cam from Comp Cams
              2. Edelbrock Intake
              3. Edelbrock 4bbl carb
              4. Edelbrock Headers

              The Comp Cams 260H will put you at 284 HP with this set-up.
              The next cam up XE256H will put you at 292 HP.

              Then, if you want more, you can get more serious with the heads and pistons.

              Comment

              • AllJackedUp
                230 Tornado
                • Aug 30, 2006
                • 22

                #8
                Take a look at Bulltear, BJ's, Jeg's, Summit for parts. Master rebuild kits can be purchased from lots of companies but many folks recommend Norther Auto Parts.

                Spend a little time searching this forum and Bulltear's forum and you will get many ideas for more power.

                Comment

                • Michael_King024
                  258 I6
                  • Jul 23, 2010
                  • 309

                  #9
                  for $3100 you could almost afford to pay a good race shop to build your 360 up to those numbers...a wise man once told me in my late teens to that you need 2 things to make more HP..more air and more fuel. later in my early 20's when i took my SS to the legendary Bobby Warren here in clinton..the first thing i asked him was how much it would cost to add some serious HP to my lt1...his reply "well son it depends on how fast you wanna go!" long story short- 6 grand and 640 hp later i was but was none the wiser about engines and how they work..i'm not knowledgable enugh about the 360's to truly answer your question..but i think 300-350hp is a realistic goal that could be reached for $3100 if you do a lot of the work yourself..and dont throw away money on overpriced aftermarket parts like that F.I. kit...a properly tuned 4 bbl can turn the wheels just as fast as F.I...my best advice is to research, research, research....and then learn how to apply that knowledge by trial and error.
                  Big Mike
                  83 wag limited-360-
                  89 G.wag -360-
                  "10-4 rubber duck"
                  "In GOD we trust..all others pay cash"
                  -mat. 21:42-

                  Comment

                  • Lindel
                    Perfesser of Jeepology
                    • Jun 15, 2000
                    • 9205

                    #10
                    Speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?
                    Jeep Grounds
                    RRV Homepage
                    Texas Full Size Jeep Association
                    1987 Grand Wagoneer
                    AMC 360/TF727/NP229
                    1999 Wrangler Sport
                    4.0L/AX-15/NV231


                    ?Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction? by Ronald Reagan.


                    Formerly of DFW/Gun Barrel City, TX - eventually to return...

                    Comment

                    • Mr.Wagoneer
                      232 I6
                      • Jul 26, 2010
                      • 244

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Lindel
                      Speed costs money...how fast do you want to go?
                      I don't want to blow the doors off just in the range of of 250-300 HP I think would be fun, don't want to race the truck just give it some grunt!
                      Year: 1983
                      Make: AMC/Jeep
                      Model: Wagoneer
                      Trim: Limited
                      ? AMC 360 5.9 Liter
                      ? MotorCraft 2150 2 BBL Carb
                      ? TF-727 3 Speed Automatic
                      ? NP-229 Select-Trac Full/Part time transfer case
                      ? Dana 44 Front Driver side drop AMC 20 Rear
                      ? 109 in. Wheelbase
                      ? 5975/6200 Lbs GVWR
                      ? Manufactured in Toledo Ohio



                      Comment

                      • AllJackedUp
                        230 Tornado
                        • Aug 30, 2006
                        • 22

                        #12
                        Car Craft article

                        Here is a good article found in Car Craft magazine. Look at combo #4: peak hp: 432 @ 6,000 rpm, peak torque: 470 @ 3,900 rpm. More of a hotrod approach but would own the on-ramps!

                        Try not to look at the build costs on pg.5

                        Comment

                        • Greeeeenberg
                          232 I6
                          • Sep 13, 2010
                          • 32

                          #13
                          Originally posted by AllJackedUp
                          Here is a good article found in Car Craft magazine. Look at combo #4: peak hp: 432 @ 6,000 rpm, peak torque: 470 @ 3,900 rpm. More of a hotrod approach but would own the on-ramps!

                          Try not to look at the build costs on pg.5
                          Like how they found the motor out of " an '85 Jeep Grand Cherokee"

                          Nice article though.
                          '87 Grand Wagoneer - 360
                          '97 ZJ Orvis Edition - 318

                          Comment

                          • Rich88
                            AMC 4 OH! 1
                            • Nov 20, 2008
                            • 4182

                            #14
                            Depends on whether you want and expect longevity. The real-life cost is more than the initial build-up price. Consider now getting 6-7 mph average forever, and replacing transmissions, transfer case chains, rear-ends, u-joints, and motor mounts you'll keep tearing up...because no way will you reserve all the extra horsepower only for the occasional on-ramp.

                            Don't get me wrong: For special purposes such as off-road racing or reserved for towing heavy stuff several times a year, that would be wonderful. But I've never seen built-up performance schemes last as long as stock when used primarily for general, frequent road use.
                            Jeepasaurus (Wagonus Grandi quadropedus)
                            88 GW 360-.030 over/2150/727/229/Posi, e-pump, AC (broke), tow package, Monroe Air Shocks, TFI, CTO-Free, AIR-free, oil & tranny coolers, dried knuckle blood all over, GM 350 TBI in a box, waiting...
                            "You're an FSJ'r when the parts guys memorize your name, phone & credit card#."

                            Comment

                            • Lindel
                              Perfesser of Jeepology
                              • Jun 15, 2000
                              • 9205

                              #15
                              Torque would be more of what you want then. Decent cam, 4 bbl intake and carb, open up the exhaust a bit and you'll be good to go.
                              Jeep Grounds
                              RRV Homepage
                              Texas Full Size Jeep Association
                              1987 Grand Wagoneer
                              AMC 360/TF727/NP229
                              1999 Wrangler Sport
                              4.0L/AX-15/NV231


                              ?Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction? by Ronald Reagan.


                              Formerly of DFW/Gun Barrel City, TX - eventually to return...

                              Comment

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