I'm building a '73 Dart for a 1/4 mile oval track and need to know what my best choice for a motor is. I have a '69 340 with X heads, but I've been told you can get more power from a 360. Also is building a 383 or 400 for this application a good idea? Is the power gain worth the extra weight on the nose?

Also, we are restricted to OEM heads, 2 bbl manifold, and stock exhaust manifold. How big can I go with the cam and still benefit?

whats you CID limitations? You can stroke a 340 for more cubes and get lots of good power. There's a lot of things to think about here. I know there's "no replacement for displacement" but a well built 340 could definately take on a 360.

Few little notes:

If you're running a small block, the journals on the 360 are bigger...this means more contact area for bearings. It's also a heavier engine if you are trying to save weight. on the other hand the 340 has smaller main journals and a shorter stroke. if you're running stock strokes the 340 might live more harmoniosly at higher RPMs.

i never get to finish these messages so ill be back later i have a couple of other things to say

Thanks for the reply. There are no CID limitations, but the stock crank has to be used for that engine. They are specific about no stroker engines. I haven't talked to anyone to see how firm they are about checking. I forgot to note that we are required to run a 450 cfm Holley (or smaller).

There are about 40 cars in the 2 classes. 39 are Chevy and 1 guy ran a '66 Fury with a 440, but he says the car was just too heavy to stay with the Camaros and Monte Carlos. He built a '71 Cuda with a 340 for this upcoming season. I guess I'm leading to my other question, can you set up a Dart to corner with those cars?

Mopar makes a grand assortment of upgraded torsion bars. Get some subframes connectors. Maybe do the polygraphite thing on the front end...Mopar Muslce made the brick, a dart, whoop some vettes at that one lap thing. Anything is worth a shot.  

I used to race roundypounders with 360 stuff on 2 bbl. and had great luck. me and my buddys won four out of the first 6 seasons of championships.we used 73 version cars like chargers and satalites cause the upper control arm is tied into the k member lots stronger!If you want to call I will be in today 563 652 0554 my name is scott.  

360  

340 has steel crank from the factory 68-72 and have less bearing speed =2.50,
than the 360@2.81 I think they upped main size only to reinforce cast with the 3.58 stroke.
Not that bearing speed is a major issue w/360, the fact that it's cast iron and will break
in half @ high RPM might be.
I don't mind having a slightly smaller engine if I can rev it more also.  

I would also use the 340.  

IF this thing is going to live at 6500 rpm for extended periods go with the 340, I always prefered the forged crank.