What is the better build? 2.4 turbo or 318 NA?

[TurbododgePirate]

I am working on a 1985 D100 pickup. I have found that the 318 V8 is SOOOOOO much cheaper to work on than my 2.4 motor. Everything is cheaper.
Anyway, while researching my 2.4 turbo motor I saw that someone was making a adapter plate to mate a 2.4 to a 904 tranny, and it started me thinking... what if?

The planned build:
415 Hp 318 motor as built here: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/mopar/0667em_mopar_318_engine/index.html . 904 tranny built up.

The what if:

2.4 turbo motor 8.5:1 JE pistons, custom eq length SS header, holset turbo, big IC. ported head, and intake. Basically all the goodies.

I just don't know if the little 2.4 would make enough HP and especially torque to move a full size shortbed pickup around.

What do you think?

[Darkapollo]

Personally, as fun as it would be to swap the 2.4t to rwd application. the 318 would be better suited to that job. the 2.4t could make enough torque, but at what cost to the stresses inside the block?

[GLHS592]

BIG BLOCK! It won't cost much more to budget build a 440 than it would a 318. I'd never subject a 4 cylinder to pulling around a 2 ton pickup.

[thefitisgay]

i say turbo the 318

[turbovanman²]

Turbo the 318 or build a 360. That 318 build isn't bad but notice, its a screamer, no low end at all, which for a daily driver, will be a PITA. Go with a nice mild 360 and you won't regret it. I've driven both in the same van and the 360 wins easily.

The sheer weight of the truck will kill the 2.4, no torque.

[88_pacifica]

360 FTW... It's cheaper and easier to upgrade later down the road. Everything in that article can be incorporated onto the 360 for even more power. The 318 is a "low budget workhorse" kinda like the GM 305 and it's not worth the effort to do when a 360 is the same price in the long run...

[elle bawdy]

Turbo the 318 or build a 360. That 318 build isn't bad but notice, its a screamer, no low end at all, which for a daily driver, will be a PITA. Go with a nice mild 360 and you won't regret it. I've driven both in the same van and the 360 wins easily.

The sheer weight of the truck will kill the 2.4, no torque.

Build that 318 recipe, add a 390 stroker kit....

http://www.hughesengines.com/partResults.asp?eTypeID=1&pType=CK