360 2-barrel / 4-barrel
1971–1992Application/year dependent
Passenger-car and truck LA versions
Mopar 360 LA V8 enginePhoto: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mopar · LA Small-Block
Mopar 360 LA V8
The largest-production LA small-block and a torque-friendly foundation for street and truck builds.
360
Cubic inches
The 360 used more stroke than the 273/318/340 and became the torque-oriented LA foundation that later evolved into the 5.9 Magnum.
Key variants
All variants360 2-barrel / 4-barrelE58 / EH1 high-performance 360
Displacement
360 ci
Bore
4"
Stroke
3.58"
Years
1971–1992 LA-family era
Key Takeaway
The 360 kept the LA family's compact block but increased stroke to 3.58 inches with a 4.00-inch bore. The added stroke shifted the engine toward stronger low- and midrange torque, which helped it transition naturally from passenger cars into trucks and utility applications.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 8.7:1 representative 1971 2-barrel; 8.4:1 representative 1974 4-barrel
- Horsepower
- Varies by year/application; see documented variants
- Torque
- Representative 1974 high-performance 4-barrel: 320 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Carbureted; later electronic fuel injection in selected applications
- Firing order
- 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
The 360 kept the LA family's compact block but increased stroke to 3.58 inches with a 4.00-inch bore. The added stroke shifted the engine toward stronger low- and midrange torque, which helped it transition naturally from passenger cars into trucks and utility applications.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- E55 / E57 (360 2-barrel codes depending model year/application), E58 (360 high-performance 4-barrel/police-performance reference)
- Casting numbers
- 3418496 (1971–74 360 LA reference), 3810230 (1975–78 360 LA reference), 4179930 (1975–93 360 LA-family reference)
- Power rating
- SAE gross in 1971; SAE net from 1972 onward
- Horsepower RPM
- Representative 1974 E58/high-performance 4-barrel: 245 hp @ 4800 rpm (SAE net)
- Torque RPM
- Representative 1974 high-performance 4-barrel: 320 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Rotating Assembly
- Balance
- Externally balanced in common production form
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- Introduced for 1971, the 360 became the largest production LA small-block and later provided the basic displacement foundation for the 5.9 Magnum.
Compatibility Notes
- The 360 is externally balanced in factory form; use the correct damper and flywheel/flexplate or a matched aftermarket balance strategy.
- Oil pans, pickup tubes, engine mounts and accessory drives vary between car, truck and van applications.
Notable Applications
Dodge ChargerPlymouth Road RunnerDodge RamDodge RamchargerChrysler and Plymouth full-size applications
Strengths
- Abundant displacement in a compact LA package
- Strong street torque
- Large aftermarket and interchange knowledge base
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- External-balance details matter when mixing dampers and converters/flywheels
- Factory emissions-era combinations can be low compression
Common Upgrades
- Higher-flow cylinder heads
- Performance intake and carburetor
- Camshaft and compression increase
Racing History & Legacy
The 360’s factory identity centered on passenger-car, police and truck performance rather than a dedicated Max Wedge/Hemi-style package-car program. Its racing use is therefore best represented by production-based Stock/Super Stock and grassroots competition rather than a single famous factory works campaign.
The 360 bridged classic LA small-blocks to the 5.9 Magnum era.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Ram heritage — 5.9L V8 applications
manufacturer history
MaxWedge — Chrysler/Mopar engine bore and stroke reference
specialist technical reference
Dodge service-manual specification — 360 V8 bore, stroke and compression
service manual reference
Mopar Performance electronic ignition instructions — Chrysler V8 firing order
manufacturer instruction
Mopar engine block casting-number reference
specialist reference
1969–1974 Mopar body-data-tag engine code reference
historical code reference
Mopar Enthusiast Network — 1966–1974 engine specification chart
historical specification
Stellantis — Mopar package-car and racing heritage
manufacturer motorsport history
NHRA — Stock and Super Stock class structure
sanctioning body reference
Key Factory / Build Variants
E58 / EH1 high-performance 360
late 1970sApplication dependent
Performance/police and Li’l Red Express-era combinations
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
360 cu in / 5.9 L with 4.00 x 3.58-inch bore and stroke.
02
90-degree OHV LA-family V8.
03
Carbureted in classic applications, with later electronic fuel injection in selected vehicles.
04
Representative high-performance 1974 four-barrel torque: about 320 lb-ft.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Mopar 360 LA V8
The 360 became the torque-focused LA small-block. It outlived the classic muscle era and eventually provided the displacement foundation for the later 5.9 Magnum.
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