350 engine upgrade order (did search)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
350 engine upgrade order (did search)
Since talking to some tech guys I'm in doubt what engine upgrade to do first and what would be the best to do cost vs. hp/tq gain wise.
Current specs:
Goodwrench 4 bolt 350;
stock heads, cam, pistons, intake;
Edelbrock 1411 750 cfm carb;
hooker super competition headers and sidepipes;
accel high performance ignition, coil, etc.;
rebuilt 350 auto tranny, stock stall converter.
Puts out 168 hp at the rear and 212 at the flywheel.
Now, I'm planning to go for the Edelbrock performer intake and cam and a pair of alu heads (not sure yet which). Goal is to get around 250/300 hp at the rear.
The tech guys I spoke to said I'd do better to first put in other pistons and then go for other cam and intake. Which should already get me to around 250 hp for less money then buying new heads.
What do you guys think is the best order to upgrade in? HP/money wise?
Thanks!
Current specs:
Goodwrench 4 bolt 350;
stock heads, cam, pistons, intake;
Edelbrock 1411 750 cfm carb;
hooker super competition headers and sidepipes;
accel high performance ignition, coil, etc.;
rebuilt 350 auto tranny, stock stall converter.
Puts out 168 hp at the rear and 212 at the flywheel.
Now, I'm planning to go for the Edelbrock performer intake and cam and a pair of alu heads (not sure yet which). Goal is to get around 250/300 hp at the rear.
The tech guys I spoke to said I'd do better to first put in other pistons and then go for other cam and intake. Which should already get me to around 250 hp for less money then buying new heads.
What do you guys think is the best order to upgrade in? HP/money wise?
Thanks!
Last edited by worship79; May 17, 2006 at 05:32 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
I'm thinking of the same thing for my '80.
I have been researching the Edelbrock Performer intake with their carbs. A cam will go a long way towards more HP. Remember though, its torque that pushes you back in the seat. High RPM is where engine failures & damage occur most. If you go with aluminum heads, you will save only around 50 pounds. You can always try to approach the performance challenge from the weight perspective too. Get rid of the heavy steel spring and replace with a fiberglass rear spring.
Hypereuric pistons seem to be popular, but I haven't tried them yet. Considerations for type of fuel (octane) should also be reviewed. I assume money is of no consideration here?
I have been researching the Edelbrock Performer intake with their carbs. A cam will go a long way towards more HP. Remember though, its torque that pushes you back in the seat. High RPM is where engine failures & damage occur most. If you go with aluminum heads, you will save only around 50 pounds. You can always try to approach the performance challenge from the weight perspective too. Get rid of the heavy steel spring and replace with a fiberglass rear spring.
Hypereuric pistons seem to be popular, but I haven't tried them yet. Considerations for type of fuel (octane) should also be reviewed. I assume money is of no consideration here?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by worship79
If it's worth the money I'll do it, but ofcourse I prefer the most bang for the buck if possible 
Anybody know what gains to expect from changing pistons?
Anybody know what gains to expect from changing pistons?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Depends, if the piston is a flat top or domed it'll raise the CR but the results will be minimal if any. And swappig pistons? just like that? no over bore, no fresh bore finish? Who advised you that? Real power lies in the heads, cam, intake, exhaust and bumping the CR to get proper cyl. pressures so you can use a longer cam without too much pumping loss penalties. Just swapping pistons is useless.
Maybe time for me to do some reading... anybody know of a good book or website about chevy 350 upgrading for me to read?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
For a proper rebuild you're looking at an overbore and a fresh hone job, meaning you'll need new pistons and rings anyway. Might as well upgrade the rods to something better. Sportsman rods are economically priced or a cheaper eagle or scat rod. Reconditioning the stockers (resizing the big end, they tend to stretch) and upgrading the rod bolts usually costs about the same as a new sportsman set already equipped with arp bolts.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: New London NC
I put on a set of GMPP vortec cast iron heads ($500 per set), an Edelbrock performer manifold and carb (about $400), Comp Cams roller rockers (can't remember the price but around $200) and Hedman Headers and I'm really pleased with the set for now. I plan on tearing it down completely but these were nessecary mods and I like them so far. My $.02.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 68
From: Colorado
http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/toc/em_toc/ The summer issue has a build up of a GM 290 crate motor. Heads, cam, intake gained 112 hp, small shot of nitrous an additional 95. The basic 290 looks to be an L48 with an L82 cam.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Those GMPP vortec cast iron heads are in one of the chevy small block articles on the site scura283 refers to, what a coincidence!
What numbers are you putting out rathvon350?
Marck, the engine is a crate from 1996: do you think a rebuild is in order yet? Turning it into a stroker is tempting, but since I'm an engine n00b (hence the dumb questions) I fear the costs.
What numbers are you putting out rathvon350?
Marck, the engine is a crate from 1996: do you think a rebuild is in order yet? Turning it into a stroker is tempting, but since I'm an engine n00b (hence the dumb questions
) I fear the costs.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: freehold NJ
heads
Check out this lead for more infor on upgrades:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1382623
It seems the Vortec heads are all the rage.
I'll probably go with the Vortec heads and an intake and headers and maybe do the cam later....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1382623
It seems the Vortec heads are all the rage.
I'll probably go with the Vortec heads and an intake and headers and maybe do the cam later....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
You might check out the Chevy High Performance Tech article on how to increase HP of a Goodwrench 350 in steps.
http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46320/
http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46320/
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Originally Posted by Duke94
You might check out the Chevy High Performance Tech article on how to increase HP of a Goodwrench 350 in steps.
http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46320/
http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46320/
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by worship79
Now, I'm planning to go for the Edelbrock performer intake and cam and a pair of alu heads (not sure yet which). Goal is to get around 250/300 hp at the rear.
You could get 250rwhp with cam, intake & stock heads. Put some decent heads on and look out. You will also gain a few HP if you setup your timing for performance (36 degrees total mechanical in before 3000RPM).
Fuzzy dice = 5 to 10 horsepower. Stickers in the engine bay add power as well.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Originally Posted by Boofers
As others have said, if there is nothing wrong wth your bottom end just leave it & spend your scrilla elsewhere.
You could get 250rwhp with cam, intake & stock heads. Put some decent heads on and look out. You will also gain a few HP if you setup your timing for performance (36 degrees total mechanical in before 3000RPM).
You could get 250rwhp with cam, intake & stock heads. Put some decent heads on and look out. You will also gain a few HP if you setup your timing for performance (36 degrees total mechanical in before 3000RPM).
I must carefully plan this, because it would be a shame to have a brand new performer intake and cam, only to find out I'd like to change the heads as well. Ofcourse alu heads are still a good option then (argh, too many options
).
Originally Posted by Boofers
Fuzzy dice = 5 to 10 horsepower. Stickers in the engine bay add power as well.
