To much HP?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
To much HP?
I have a 350 in the car now pushing 185 hp (on a good day, downhill, on ice, with a wicked tail wind). Going to keep a 350 unsure if rebuild or crate.
I see the crate 350's go from 260hp to over 400 maybe even more. Is there such a thing as to much HP?
I don't intend to race. I would like so more punch in the car for a nice highway cruise, but I don't need to be crazy.
What would be an "appropriate" amount of HP for a daily driver? Same question for torque?
Thanks.
I see the crate 350's go from 260hp to over 400 maybe even more. Is there such a thing as to much HP?
I don't intend to race. I would like so more punch in the car for a nice highway cruise, but I don't need to be crazy.
What would be an "appropriate" amount of HP for a daily driver? Same question for torque?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Agreed with above. We built a solid 300hp 355 for our '77 and it's plenty fun to cruise in. It's a 4spd, so that adds to the fun IMO, but it is still reasonable on fuel and can be taken on long or short cruises without a problem.
Adam
Adam
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Greater Detroit MI
800 is where it is too much for the street IMO. 400hp is a nice daily driver, I have 520 RWHP in my 67 camaro and I could drive it everyday 23-25 mpg. (supercharged ls1) I guess it depends on how you make the power, a N/A 520 would be less daily driver friendly that FI...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Your present engine would be around 240 gross HP.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 249
Likes: 4
From: Eastern Ky
I have a 350 HO GM crate engine in my 78. 330 HP. Plenty of power and sounds great with the catted side pipes. The umpy sound is what I was after and it still runs and idles great. Was pretty much a straight bolt up with the exception of the flex plate. Used an edelbrock high rise manifold and an edelbrock 600 carb. Like the one piece rear main seal. Very happy with it ............
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
I have a 350 HO GM crate engine in my 78. 330 HP. Plenty of power and sounds great with the catted side pipes. The umpy sound is what I was after and it still runs and idles great. Was pretty much a straight bolt up with the exception of the flex plate. Used an edelbrock high rise manifold and an edelbrock 600 carb. Like the one piece rear main seal. Very happy with it ............
Great news. i have checked out that motor more than once online. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
the 350 HO and the ZZ4 are both great motors to look into. If you did want a little more, the fast burn 385 and ZZ383 are the two next steps up, but get pretty expensive. Bang for the buck you can't beat the ZZ4. A rollor cam motor with a forged crank for under $4500 shipped.
Don't forget to look at the two Year one engines also. 400hp for $3000-$3500
Don't forget to look at the two Year one engines also. 400hp for $3000-$3500
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
I have a 350 HO GM crate engine in my 78. 330 HP. Plenty of power and sounds great with the catted side pipes. The umpy sound is what I was after and it still runs and idles great. Was pretty much a straight bolt up with the exception of the flex plate. Used an edelbrock high rise manifold and an edelbrock 600 carb. Like the one piece rear main seal. Very happy with it ............
I then bought Motorhead's 406 <----550hp
Les
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
I have a 350 HO GM crate engine in my 78. 330 HP. Plenty of power and sounds great with the catted side pipes. The umpy sound is what I was after and it still runs and idles great. Was pretty much a straight bolt up with the exception of the flex plate. Used an edelbrock high rise manifold and an edelbrock 600 carb. Like the one piece rear main seal. Very happy with it ............
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I have a 92 corvette with the 300 hp Lt1. it's actually a bit stronger as it pulled near 280 hp and 330 ft lbs of torque on a chassis Dyno. Its a fun car to drive and is pretty quick.
But... I rebuilt the stock 350 for my 72 into a 383. It should put out about 435 hp. It'll be a fun car to drive and probably be very quick. The parts were selected to make its power below 6000 rpm, not a high revving track car. I wanted big block power from a smaller lighter engine.
You can build or buy what you think you need, but more hp = more money.
But... I rebuilt the stock 350 for my 72 into a 383. It should put out about 435 hp. It'll be a fun car to drive and probably be very quick. The parts were selected to make its power below 6000 rpm, not a high revving track car. I wanted big block power from a smaller lighter engine.
You can build or buy what you think you need, but more hp = more money.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
NO such thing as to much... 440tq and 460 hp at the rear wheels.... Last dyno..... WIsh I had about 50-100 more hp and tq ... Power is like a drug, very addictive...And you get accustom to it quickly.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 5
From: Clearwater FL