Whatever happened to the Mopar 318 engine?

[Mr Miami]

I did an online search and found no real reason why these can't be used in something like a Jeep; a small block V8. If I recall correctly, CJ's offered, at one time, the AMC 304 as an option. The 318 Chrysler was considered a very reliable engine and I wondered what happened to it. Would there be that much of a price difference between the 3.6 that a lot of people complain about and the 318 (5.0 L) engine?

Just showing my age I guess.

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[Deleted member 57233]

Probably because they weigh 600lbs and only put out 125hp and 195 torques

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I would imagine manufacturing changes, advancements in technology, emissions and efficiency requirements...

 

[PuddleJumper]

same reason they are putting less cylinders on everything including motorcycles. Emissions. Displacement is a huge factor but so is cylinder count/combustions per every 1000 rpms. More booms equals more nox. More cylinders equals more booms even if the motors share similar displacement.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Heavy AF, wildly inefficient.

Were phased out twenty years ago with the 4.7.

 

[Hootbro]

LA Magnum was the Swan Song for that series of engines. They ran out of room to improve performance, maintain reliability and meet future emissions requirements that were on the horizon for them back then.

The market has move on past them even if they were able to install them on new model vehicles. Like the 2dr that some clamor for, other than a first year or two at the most that would fill the niche of those wanting them, they are bad business case from a larger corporate standpoint.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The 4.7L replaced it as Jrgunn5150 said.

The 318 is a 5.2L.

There are a few that did 5.2L 318 swaps, but most would rather do a 5.9L 360 instead of a 318.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Its still in my old plow truck!

 

[Zachanadandy]

The re-introduction of the Hemi happened? Why would anybody want a 125hp v8 that takes up the same space and probably costs the same to produce as a 5.7L hemi that puts out 395hp while also being more efficient. The 318 was weak compared to the 3.6L, why would anyone who complains about the 285hp downgrade?

 

[Mr Miami]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge regarding the hp and torque of the 318. I just remember the 318 was such a popular and at least from what I heard, a bulletproof engine. I can see why the 5.7 (360) makes more sense today. But then, based on "where things are going," any V8 will soon be a relic of the past. A 1.5 - 2.0 liter with a blower will be the engine of choice, or at least what is mass produced. Or a 1.0 to 1.5 liter hybrid may be coming soon.

 

[NULL POINTER]

The re-introduction of the Hemi happened? Why would anybody want a 125hp v8 that takes up the sane space and probably costs the same to produce as a 5.7L hemi that puts out 395hp while also being more efficient. The 318 was weak compared to the 3.6L, why would anyone who complains about the 285hp downgrade?

My 1998 Dodge Ram pickup had the 318. It made 230 HP, I forget how much torque. It was a laggard even in those days. Anyway, I traded it for the first year 345HP, 345 cid (5.65L aka 5.7L hemi) pickup. World of difference. Brother in law has a 395HP hemi pickup, much faster than my 345HP version.

As for the 318 in a Jeep, I'd want one of the old 340 with trips that were in the AAR cudas and TA Challengers back in the 70-71 model years. Then again, why not a nice more modern LS3?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge regarding the hp and torque of the 318. I just remember the 318 was such a popular and at least from what I heard, a bulletproof engine. I can see why the 5.7 (360) makes more sense today. But then, based on "where things are going," any V8 will soon be a relic of the past. A 1.5 - 2.0 liter with a blower will be the engine of choice, or at least what is mass produced. Or a 1.0 to 1.5 liter hybrid may be coming soon.

The 5.7L Hemi is 345 cu in.

360 is the 5.9L.

 

[Zachanadandy]

My 1998 Dodge Ram pickup had the 318. It made 230 HP, I forget how much torque. It was a laggard even in those days. Anyway, I traded it for the first year 345HP, 345 cid (5.65L aka 5.7L hemi) pickup. World of difference. Brother in law has a 395HP hemi pickup, much faster than my 345HP version.

As for the 318 in a Jeep, I'd want one of the old 340 with trips that were in the AAR cudas and TA Challengers back in the 70-71 model years. Then again, why not a nice more modern LS3?

I've never driven anything and thought "this is too much power" so I'll pass on the 340 and it's 275-325hp too. A nice modern 6.6L LT4 with 550hp that still gets better fuel economy than a 318, 340, or even a 5.7L hemi would be perfect for the gladiator. If you're morally opposed to Chevy power in the Jeep I'd at least go for the 392 if you're spending the time and money on a swap.

 

[Labswine]

I had the 5.2L Magnum V-8 (the 318) in my '96 RAM Extra cab 4x4. It was a poor engine at best and got very crappy mileage. I was lucky to see 14 MPGs on the highway.

I had a boat that was 5K lbs on the trailer and both my '93 and '96 Grand Cherokee Laredos with the 4.0L I-6 (non trailer pkg but, a U-Haul receiver) handled that boat way better than that RAM did. I could pull the boat up the ramp out of the water in 2H in both my Jeeps. I had to put that RAM in 4Lo to do the same job, on the same ramp.

 

[NC_Overland]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge regarding the hp and torque of the 318. I just remember the 318 was such a popular and at least from what I heard, a bulletproof engine. I can see why the 5.7 (360) makes more sense today. But then, based on "where things are going," any V8 will soon be a relic of the past. A 1.5 - 2.0 liter with a blower will be the engine of choice, or at least what is mass produced. Or a 1.0 to 1.5 liter hybrid may be coming soon.

360 doesn’t make sense. No one has put a 360 in a Gladiator. Not popular past the TJs that were phased out in 2006. You’re confusing the 5.9l 360 with that 5.7l hemi. The aforementioned Hemi series engines take up the same space and make vastly more power while being considerably more efficient. The Gladiators are extremely heavy for their size. Many weigh over 5k lbs bone stock. Mine is relatively stock and pushing 5500 lbs. the 3.6l does admirably given its weight and drag with it’s aerodynamic coefficiency and large tires.

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