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Mopar Small-Block Engines: How to Build Max Performance
Hit the horsepower goal of your Mopar small-block engine using this guide that identifies the best parts and techniques to extract maximum performance from LA and Magnum powerplants.
Mopar engine expert and author Larry Shepard covers heads, cams, and valvetrain products and modifications that will give you more power. In addition, he provides exquisite details and in-depth buildup instruction for other essential components: blocks, cranks, pistons, rods, ignition systems, intakes, carburetors, and exhaust.
The Chrysler LA-series and Magnum small-blocks are powerful, efficient, and quick-revving engines that have dutifully powered millions of Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars and trucks from 1964 to 2003. And the LA engine is also the powerplant for many classic Mopar muscle cars, including the Charger, Barracuda, Challenger, Dart, and others. While these venerable small-blocks have delivered impressive performance in stock trim, both can be easily modified to produce much greater power for almost any application.
The LA designates the small-block as "Lightweight A," which was a huge improvement over the previous generation. With its compact size, 50-pound weight savings, thin wall casting, and wedge heads, it cranked out a lot of torque and horsepower, so it was formidable competition on the street and track. The LA was offered in 273-, 318-, 340- and 360-ci inch iterations, and a full range of aftermarket products are offered for these engines. By 1992, the LA engine platform had evolved into the Magnum 5.2- and 5.9-liter engines and became the new standard of Mopar small-block performance.
If you own an LA small-block-powered Mopar car or truck, this invaluable guidance and instruction will allow you to optimize performance and maintain reliability.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Blocks
Block Design
Identification
Basic Features
Block Oiling
Motor Mounts
Core Shift
Machining
Main Caps
Special Features and Operations
Chapter 2:
Crankshafts and Connecting Rods
Production Cranks
High-Performance Street Cranks
Race Cranks
Material
Full-Radius Journals
Crank Prep
Bearings
Vibration Dampeners
Connecting Rods
Chapter 3:
Pistons and Rings
Production Pistons
Aftermarket Pistons
Piston Profile
Compression Ratio
Piston Design
Piston Pins
Piston Rings
Chapter 4:
Camshaft, Lifters and Cam Drive
Production Cams
Aftermarket Cams
Camshaft Technology
High-Performance and Race Cams
Cam Selection Process
Cam Installation
Tappets
Cam Drive
Timing Sets
Oil Pump Drive
Chapter 5:
Cylinder Heads
Identification
Production Cylinder Heads
Head Spec Comparison
Aluminum Heads
Cast-Iron Heads
Bare Heads
Cylinder Head Selection and Prep
High-Performance Valve Job
Special Head Considerations
Valves
Head Gaskets
Chapter 6:
Valvetrain
Oiling System
Pushrods
Rocker Arms
Valvesprings
Valvetrain Parts
Chapter 7:
Intake Manifolds
Production Intakes
Aftermarket Intakes
Fuel Distribution
Manifold Selection
Manifold Prep
Porting Matching
Carburetors
Throttle Body
Fuel Pump
Fuel Injection
Nitrous
Superchargers and Turbos
Final Installation and Prep
Chapter 8:
Oiling System
Oiling Hardware
Oil Pump
Breathers and the PCV
Oil
Oil Filter
Windage Tray
Oil Pan
Oil Pump Drive
Dry Sump
Chapter 9:
Ignition System
Spark Advance
Distributors
Aftermarket Ignition Systems
Advance Curve
Ignition Timing
Spark Plugs
Distributor Drive
Coil and Ballast Resistor
The ECU/ECM
Wiring
Chapter 10:
Fuel System and Tuning
4-Barrel Carb System
Fuel Injection System
Fuel Magnum MPI
Fuel Injectors
Fuel Lines
Airflow
Carb Tuning
Magnum MPI Upgrade
A-Engine MPI Conversion
Nitrous Oxide
Supercharger
Chapter 11:
Exhaust System
Manifold
Header
Flanges
Merge Collectors
Oxygen Sensor
Installation Clearance
Coatings
Pipe Crossovers
Mufflers and Catalytic Converters
Cat-Back Systems
Tailpipes Gaskets
Source Guide
Hit the horsepower goal of your Mopar small-block engine using this guide that identifies the best parts and techniques to extract maximum performance from LA and Magnum powerplants.
Mopar engine expert and author Larry Shepard covers heads, cams, and valvetrain products and modifications that will give you more power. In addition, he provides exquisite details and in-depth buildup instruction for other essential components: blocks, cranks, pistons, rods, ignition systems, intakes, carburetors, and exhaust.
The Chrysler LA-series and Magnum small-blocks are powerful, efficient, and quick-revving engines that have dutifully powered millions of Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars and trucks from 1964 to 2003. And the LA engine is also the powerplant for many classic Mopar muscle cars, including the Charger, Barracuda, Challenger, Dart, and others. While these venerable small-blocks have delivered impressive performance in stock trim, both can be easily modified to produce much greater power for almost any application.
The LA designates the small-block as "Lightweight A," which was a huge improvement over the previous generation. With its compact size, 50-pound weight savings, thin wall casting, and wedge heads, it cranked out a lot of torque and horsepower, so it was formidable competition on the street and track. The LA was offered in 273-, 318-, 340- and 360-ci inch iterations, and a full range of aftermarket products are offered for these engines. By 1992, the LA engine platform had evolved into the Magnum 5.2- and 5.9-liter engines and became the new standard of Mopar small-block performance.
If you own an LA small-block-powered Mopar car or truck, this invaluable guidance and instruction will allow you to optimize performance and maintain reliability.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1:
Blocks
Block Design
Identification
Basic Features
Block Oiling
Motor Mounts
Core Shift
Machining
Main Caps
Special Features and Operations
Chapter 2:
Crankshafts and Connecting Rods
Production Cranks
High-Performance Street Cranks
Race Cranks
Material
Full-Radius Journals
Crank Prep
Bearings
Vibration Dampeners
Connecting Rods
Chapter 3:
Pistons and Rings
Production Pistons
Aftermarket Pistons
Piston Profile
Compression Ratio
Piston Design
Piston Pins
Piston Rings
Chapter 4:
Camshaft, Lifters and Cam Drive
Production Cams
Aftermarket Cams
Camshaft Technology
High-Performance and Race Cams
Cam Selection Process
Cam Installation
Tappets
Cam Drive
Timing Sets
Oil Pump Drive
Chapter 5:
Cylinder Heads
Identification
Production Cylinder Heads
Head Spec Comparison
Aluminum Heads
Cast-Iron Heads
Bare Heads
Cylinder Head Selection and Prep
High-Performance Valve Job
Special Head Considerations
Valves
Head Gaskets
Chapter 6:
Valvetrain
Oiling System
Pushrods
Rocker Arms
Valvesprings
Valvetrain Parts
Chapter 7:
Intake Manifolds
Production Intakes
Aftermarket Intakes
Fuel Distribution
Manifold Selection
Manifold Prep
Porting Matching
Carburetors
Throttle Body
Fuel Pump
Fuel Injection
Nitrous
Superchargers and Turbos
Final Installation and Prep
Chapter 8:
Oiling System
Oiling Hardware
Oil Pump
Breathers and the PCV
Oil
Oil Filter
Windage Tray
Oil Pan
Oil Pump Drive
Dry Sump
Chapter 9:
Ignition System
Spark Advance
Distributors
Aftermarket Ignition Systems
Advance Curve
Ignition Timing
Spark Plugs
Distributor Drive
Coil and Ballast Resistor
The ECU/ECM
Wiring
Chapter 10:
Fuel System and Tuning
4-Barrel Carb System
Fuel Injection System
Fuel Magnum MPI
Fuel Injectors
Fuel Lines
Airflow
Carb Tuning
Magnum MPI Upgrade
A-Engine MPI Conversion
Nitrous Oxide
Supercharger
Chapter 11:
Exhaust System
Manifold
Header
Flanges
Merge Collectors
Oxygen Sensor
Installation Clearance
Coatings
Pipe Crossovers
Mufflers and Catalytic Converters
Cat-Back Systems
Tailpipes Gaskets
Source Guide
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