ariba

A 3.73 rear is on my bucket least but what's the difference between 3.55 vs 3.73

Rotonda

Member Larry82 has a 1982 C3. These came with the 700R4 overdrive trans.

Wrecked82

Like he said, OD transmission.

C3 4ME

I'm pretty sure Super Chevy magazine did a build up of the 290HP crate engine a few years back, and as I recall, for not much work and $$ they got some impressive gains out of it. You might try a google search and see if you come up with anything.

cv67

switching from 3.55 to 3.73 will feel about the same with a very slight difference in cruise rpm. imo not worth the effort or money

http://www.wallaceracing.com/calc-gear-tire-rpm-mph.php

Wrecked82

procketus

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/35029...great-part-1/#

This the article you were thinking of?

Got curious because I am also thinking of getting one of these motors.

cv67

just blows another myth out of the water that a modern can and headers do make a noticable difference. Tomorrow youll see someone say old GM stuff is about the same.

ajrothm

Do a Vortec head swap and a modern cam....I'm not sure you'll gain 70hp, probably more like 40-50hp but it will wake it up all across the range. You'll need the vortec style intake also. You won't be doing this all for $1000 but, I bet you can get close if you are deal saavy.

The GM crate 350 heads are based on the old 882s and there is nothing you can do to make any power with them.

I'd find some small chamber Vortecs, use a steel shim head gasket and try to get the compression as close to 9.0 as you can from your dismal 8.5.

Maybe an XE268 comp cam or something of the like. I think you could make an honest 350 crank HP if you do your homework.

loup68

I really beg to differ on the 3:55 to 3:70 gear change. My car originally had 3:55's and I had to slip the clutch a lot to get it started every time. With the 3:70 gears, I just let out the clutch and she goes! The 3:55's are better if you are going to be doing a lot of freeway driving. The 3:73's will really improve your leaving the line. And yes, I heard the same story that there wasn't a big difference in the two ratios. They were wrong. Lou.

Diablozx9

its called "buyers remorse". many people think after a purchase that they could have done better.
Not me, I am happy with my 350/290.

ariba

Its a good crozer engine but if you want some more power you need to change a few thing for a better power

1 cam set
2 heads
3 intake

but it you are doing all of this it's better do do an engine from scratch.

ariba

Do you think1 dart iron eagle heads 64cc 180cc intake
and a2 matching intake
3 280 magnum comp cam kit SK12-212-2
do you think I will get more? than 50 HP??

ariba

You are right It's a good engine but sometimes people are a little greedy and I think I am one of them. But in the same time I felt the other deal for the Blueprint is a better one.

mrichi

Two of the bst things I did to my Vette were fitting a 450hp 454 big block
then putting in a Tremec 5 speed its a awsome cruiser