Need performance advice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Fallston Maryland
Need performance advice
Hey I'm Chris. I just bought a 1975 Corvette Stingray with a 3 speed automatic transmission with a 350 small block under the hood (Its a GM Goodwrench 350, not the stock corvette one) I was wondering what the specifications are on this engine and what should I do next to add some power to this 350. I seem to be having trouble finding parts for it so help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. -Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
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From: Des Allemands LA
Can't imagine any reason you would have trouble finding parts. But you really need to do a little research and find out what you have. Hard to upgraded if you don't know what you have to begin with. Get the numbers off the block and call GMPP, they will be able to help you out with what you have, then go from there.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Time & Money, depends on both. I've got a simular engine in my 79 and I'm going to toss everything except the block & build a 383. Your Targetmaster engine should be basicly nothing more than a standard 4 bolt 350, so standard 350 parts would fit. The best starting place would be to map out where you want to end up and start reading mag articles and forum posts. Look at parts suppliers and plan your costs. Mild to wild or anything in between. HP or MPG? Will you be satisfied with mild gains or do you want to scare women & children everytime you start the beast up?
First place to look at would be the exhaust, intake, carb, & cam. You could pick up some decent hp in these areas. Much more than this & you'd be better off jerking the engine & rebuilding it. If you decide to build an engine, don't overlook the tranny. Some are satisfied with a performance 350 while others like the 400R, either way it won't be cheap.
Congratulations on acquiring a hobby that will teach new ways to express the english languge while doing something you enjoy.
First place to look at would be the exhaust, intake, carb, & cam. You could pick up some decent hp in these areas. Much more than this & you'd be better off jerking the engine & rebuilding it. If you decide to build an engine, don't overlook the tranny. Some are satisfied with a performance 350 while others like the 400R, either way it won't be cheap.
Congratulations on acquiring a hobby that will teach new ways to express the english languge while doing something you enjoy.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
i basically agree with ratflinger, except i would add heads and headers to the list before i pulled the engine and rebuild it if the engine is in good shape now.
i would pull the top end and front off the engine, put in a cam, heads, manifold, headers, and a new carb if the one you have is insufficient; you would need a 650 cfm or so.
stay reasonable with the cam and heads, and the bottom end should hold together fine.
i would pull the top end and front off the engine, put in a cam, heads, manifold, headers, and a new carb if the one you have is insufficient; you would need a 650 cfm or so.
stay reasonable with the cam and heads, and the bottom end should hold together fine.
