AMC V-8s
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The AMC V-8 finally went out of production when Chrysler halted Jeep Grand Wagoneer production at the end of the 1991 model year. This makes the 360 by far the most numerous AMC V-8. It can easily be built to produce over 400 hp on pump gas. It's as modern as any other make V-8 of the time, and has as much potential. There isn't as large a selection of performance parts, but the parts still available are the ones known to work well. The parts cost a little more than the more common small block Ford and Chevy parts, but no more than any other make. Cost to build is partially offset by the very good heads. Until the Vortec L31 5.7L head was introduced, Chevy heads weren't any better than AMC heads. Now, Edelbrock has aluminum heads for the 343, 360, 390 and 401 AMC engines. | The AMC V-8 finally went out of production when Chrysler halted Jeep Grand Wagoneer production at the end of the 1991 model year. This makes the 360 by far the most numerous AMC V-8. It can easily be built to produce over 400 hp on pump gas. It's as modern as any other make V-8 of the time, and has as much potential. There isn't as large a selection of performance parts, but the parts still available are the ones known to work well. The parts cost a little more than the more common small block Ford and Chevy parts, but no more than any other make. Cost to build is partially offset by the very good heads. Until the Vortec L31 5.7L head was introduced, Chevy heads weren't any better than AMC heads. Now, Edelbrock has aluminum heads for the 343, 360, 390 and 401 AMC engines. | ||
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| + | ==Performance upgrade options== | ||
| + | ===Intake manifolds=== | ||
| + | The 4V intake will bolt to the 287, which had no factory 4V option. The intake carb pattern is standard Holley, and because the 4150C used is only in the 450-500 cfm range (about right for the 250), it's easy to bolt a much more reasonably sized 600-650 cfm carb on the 287/327. | ||
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| + | There are no intakes made, though I have seen a rare three deuce intake once, I think it was made by Fenton, but not sure. Whereas the Rambler V8 intake manifold is a 'free-standing' design with a separate lifter valley cover, AMC Gen-2 intakes can be adapted by cutting to remove the water and exhaust crossovers and fabricating 1/4" spacer/adapter plates for each side. The ports aren't an exact match, but can be matched with the 1/4" plate. A small block Chevy intake can also be adapted, but the V angles are different and the adapter plates must match angle also. The ports aren't an exact match, but can be matched with the 1/4" plate. A small block Chevy intake can also be adapted, but the V angles are different and the adapter plates must match angle also. | ||
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| + | ===Camshafts=== | ||
| + | The camshaft can be reground to a more aggressive profile by any of the camshaft manufacturers. Call first, then send in your good used cam for regrinding. In the mid 1990s Crower, Isky and Lunati had a few virgin blanks, they have probably been used or scrapped by now, but it never hurts to ask! | ||
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| + | ===Headers/exhaust=== | ||
| + | [http://www.andysautosport.com/headers/amc_rambler_american.html Andy's Auto Sport] has headers for some applications. [http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dou-d109-r?seid=srese1&gclid=CP2xiYG_9LgCFatj7Aod-WkAqg Doug's Headers] sells headers for the 290-401 engines, Headers By Ed has finished and plain header flanges (and gaskets for the later engines) to fit the early 1956-'65 250-287-327 AMC V8 with shared center ports as well as the later 1966-'74 290-304-343-360-390-401 AMC V8 with either rectangular or dog-leg exhaust ports along with other various header parts like collectors and tubing. | ||
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| + | On some heads the two outer exhaust ports match a 1.5" tube (easy to increase to 1 5/8") and the center two siamese exhaust ports match to a single 2" tube size. Sanderson makes a Cadillac header that could be converted by cutting the flange and slightly bending the tubes to match. Possibly 3-tube Pontiac V8 headers might be re-worked. | ||
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