Cascade Crew

'92 camaro boss · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject: Let's build an engine.

Alright, so since i'm a newbe to all of this stuff, i'd like to ask some people who know what's going on.

I were to hand you a 350 block, 4 bolt main, engine's all there, but currently has heads that are garbage, and it's from a 78 chevy pick up.

I want to get about 400hp outta it, give or take a bit.

what parts would you select, links or part number's are more than welcome.

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject:

I'm sticking by my advice from the other thread. Very Happy

I would go with an Air-Gap ( Edelbrock doesn't make one for a big block Ford, or I would have one on mine Evil or Very Mad

)

Recurve the HEI dist. MSD makes a cheapo kit with springs and weights for Chevies (but not Fords Razz

)

Is this an auto car? If so, I'd think Holley 600 vac. sec. I've run the one on mine up to around 6200rpm with a good Holley pump and regulator, and it does fantastic. People overcarb way to much IMHO.

izcain · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:14 am Post subject:

I agree with the too much carb statement however I personally do not like the vacuum secondary carbs. They just always have the split second delay to them for the time it takes the secondary butterflies to kick open.... I have done everything and some to them to try to eliminate this and I can make them just about perfect...... but not perfect compared to mechanical secondaries.

First thing is first what is your budget? Without knowing that it is hard to give you a combination.
If your really strapped for cash you may not even be able to achieve 400hp unless you have some good parts scored for really cheap.

I am a firm believer in building overkill into a motor since everyone would like to get that little bit more power later on when they have extra cash to spend on it again!

Outlaw28 · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:33 am Post subject:

id just get a regular performer rpm and save yourself a bunch of money becuz the gain from rpm air gap to regular rpm is not worth the price for the airgap...id go with some hooker headers...im currently getting the parts and aiming for the same horsepower range..but i mainly want the tq cuz mines pretty much all street car...chevy performance did a series of articles with my exact motor...so im sorta replicating it...get yourself some vortec heads and put some beehive springs on them...make sure the intake is the 8 bolt vortec design...some full roller tip rockers 1.6:1 ratio and either a comp cams energy extreme 262 or 268 cam...that should get you close maybe there...every motor is different...deff make sure you have a good ignition system like previously said...im planning to stick with the stock Qjet for now...for a mix of performance and gas mileage...of course im sure some of the experts here might have something else to say...im just telling you from all the research and reading ive done...but vortec heads seem to be the best bang for the buck street heads...remember dont aim for peak hp...or peak tq...go for usable hp and tq numbers across the rpm range...specially in the mid range which you will mostly see on the street

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:43 am Post subject:

Its all in the heads. You will not make a legit 400hp, without a really good set of heads, or some really good port job.

The true test, is to look at the guys here that are actualy making that kind of power (or higher). Look at their motors, you will see a pretty common thread. Good heads. The rest of it comes down to picking a cam for the RPM range your bottom end can handle, and tuning it to run well (be it carb or EFI).

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:

Outlaw28 · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

i didnt catch part where he said wheel hp...thought he just meant at the crank...but yeah the heads are the key to it all

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject:

Outlaw28 · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

izcain · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject:

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Outlaw28 · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

ill take yalls advice you got more experience in this field then i do...i just going by the all the research ive done...but reading doesnt quit cut it when it comes to actual numbers...i would like to get long tubes but...cost and ground clearance are big issues...and id love to stroke it but it cost more then just a lil money to stroke it...got to bore and clearance the block buy the crank and pistons...thats more money right there...i dont know about you guys but i dont make enough to even consider that as an option...ive seen ppl gettin 400 with 2055's with no issues...im sure if they had long tubes theyd free up some more power...but it can be done...even seen ppl do it with stock manifolds...the cam area...well like i said previously im not really aiming for top end...you dont drive in top end very often on the street...more in the mid to low range...i want strong mid...id like to rev to about 6000rpm...but 5500 be fine right now i only go to 5000...cuz redline at 5100 with my stock cam and valvetrain...sorry to high jack the thread...i was just trying to give some helpful advice from what i know...

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

Shorty headers with 1 5/8" primaries are just dandy. As long as they have atleast 2.5" collectors. 3" would be ideal.

izcain · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject:

I was referring to the original poster about stroking the engine.

Outlaw28 · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

oh ok sorry...been out of it all day...working two jobs now and its draining the heck out of me...and im about to go to bed...