Hi All, I did some searches but came up blank. computers and hose fittings aside - Has anybody ever tried to fit a 430 intake plenum (full lid and runners) to a 360 motor? It is clear the bolts don't line up. Will the flanges and and runners line up to the holes cylinder heads? Do they even mate surfaces at the same angle? I know there are a bunch of ancillary changes and on a stock car would not be so simple. But complete from MAF to throttle bodies to crossover and injectors, they have the same basic features and parts and are both pre-direct injection. We all know the 430 flows better and is a simpler design (I welcome anyone pointing out if I'm wrong). I am finding in some cases, there are interchangeability in parts as the 308 guys drop in the 360 cranks to make stroker motors. Thank you! Spencer
I could be wrong but the 360 is still based on the Dino engine which is why some parts are backwards compatible. The 430 engine was a clean slate and likely does not share any components or dimensions with the 360 aside from maybe smaller bits
It may be a clean slate with many more controls and systems, but there are similarities in architecture. I did some additional searches on pictures off the web - 360 - has both crossover and variable runners - We know the butterflies require servicing as they start to rattle. The variable runners are pretty trick with longer down low power and shorter for high end - a best of both worlds. The crossover is used more for reducing turbulence in the plenum and sharing resources in the mid-range. However when the short runners are open at the same time as the crossover, air may be diverting from the opposite intake.... Image Unavailable, Please Login as 430 - the footprint from the 360 looks similar. The mounting holes are different. The oval openings have morphed to a "kidney bean" and seem to support porting to the valves. They either found the crossover served the same function as the variable intakes on the 360. Or it was possibly just enough and the longer runner path came with weight and complexity that didn't provide the enough power gain to continue using the design. Image Unavailable, Please Login It would be very cool to see some CFD analysis for each as they travel through acceleration.
I'm confused as to the question then. I had understood that you were asking if it was a simple bolt on part (aside from some bolts not aligning). It's clearly not the case looking at the underside as you pointed out. I'm sure an adapter could be machined with the proper CAD work which would still leave you with throttle control and sensor issues. Are you looking into this from an aesthetic need or are you truly chasing more power? If it's power, I would imagine there are less expensive ways to get whatever power you're looking for.
More power. I am not constrained by the bosch computers. For the a couple thousand, if it really flows better, could make a significant jump. The injectors on the 430 also deliver an improved spray atomization and are capable of more volume and is placed further in the center of the runner. The more flowing intake, more fuel and better spark control (smart coil packs), better cooling, exhaust and tune. I am batting for 450. I've considered hotter cams but i want to see what I can make with external factors, first. I thought about an adapter plate. It wouldn't be hard to design if I had a scan of each. I am kind of surprised nobody has tried yet (or at least shared or I couldn't find it)
I would guess they didn't need the dual runners with more displacement and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust cams rather than just the exhaust like the 360. The shape doesn't match and I would think the cross sectional area too large. Seems welding/porting would be required to match it up properly but I would measure csa to see if it's close to what you need first before going through a bunch of work to adapt it.
I think you just answered the million dollar question - There 360 has no intake variable cam timing - the plenum runner adjustment acts as that in lieu of the additional cam variator. Thank you for helping me peel back this onion! Thanks - I am new to the engine. It's been in my living room for a few months. Very cool restomod project!
