Well...heres the short story. I got kinda screwed with a new engine and tranny back a few wks after I got my car. I was supposed to get a new TH350 backing a high output 350 engine with full spec sheets. I got a simple shift kit in a baseline TH350 and a 'High Output 350' that is supposedly only putting down about 240/270 and no spec sheets. Ive been down the road over and over with the guy, but no help there. I feel stupid now for having someone else do the work, but as I was in school AND going to work i simply didnt have the time and the engine/tranny that was in the car was on its last leg. Now, the guy was only guess at the power output, but he did tell me that it was definately a 4bolt main block and it was modeled after what the car should have had in it (it had a 350 crate engine in it when i got it, and the new engine seems no more powerful). I was also informed that it was cam'ed up and had different heads than its original form. But all that means nothing to me without actual #'s. My only way to guage its output is by putting it up against other cars. My dad's car is an 06 grand prix gt (3.8l supercharged 260/280). It cant quite keep up, but then again, it has a screwed up rear spring and it seems im lifting the front end with engine torque more than I'm able to put to the ground.

Well...enough with the long post. I was thinking of eventually putting something like a Holley Systemax II kit on there as that would give me some decent power figures. the million dollar question is...is there any way that I can tell if the engine will take it without comming unglued without a complete tear down? Its a daily driver so that is out of the question

Saturday I'll probably be swapping the carb, the current quadrajet seems to be having problems when the secondaries engage. Sometimes they dont seem to open and then engine chokes when you lay into it. I have a Holley 4150 600cfm carb laying around I was going to swap, but since the QJ is a spread bore I'll need an adaptor, right?

again, sorry for the long post.

 

if you don't have the time to do it yourself, you are at the mercy of others. I don't trust many mechanics and I deal with them all the time owning a Driving School with 7 cars, but I would not trust even the best ones I know with my vette...

If you take a little time to figure out what block, heads, cam intake manifold, exhaust is on your car and post it up here someone will help you figure out your combo and make the best out of it.

Also, your Q-jet is a great carb that is misunderstood by most. Take some time to read posts by Lars and others on here about how to adjust it.

It will be tough with it being your daily driver, but little things can be tinkered with, especially on the carb that won't put you out of commission.

I wish you luck getting your vette to where you want it!!!

 

If your oil pressure is good, your main bearings etc are probably ok. You can do a compression test to see what shape the rings are in. If all that checks out the top end kit you mentioned should work for you. I would suggest getting the carb tunned up right and checking the timing curve before you do anything else. You may just find the power you want with out a lot of $$.

I just noticed you are in NO. I can't help you much with the quadrajet but the forum has alot of very knowledgeable people who can help. Look up member BarryK. He has a website that contains many helpful papers written on carbs, timing etc. I can help on the timing and a holley or demon. I know just enough to be dangerous.

Go Saints!!!

 

The engine itself is freshly built, only 2,500mi on it right now so Im not worried about the rings/bearings. I was just worried about the internals taking 400+ ft/lbs of torque. But you say it should be ok?

BTW, i'm not trashing the QJet. Its just going to the side until I can get my friend to help me with it (shes got a 68 chevelle and is damned good with old chevys). I should have time this summer to do a lot of stuff as I'll be in between semesters. For right now, I've goten alot of stuff fixed on it (working all day every saturday). It started out leaking every fluid imaginable, sloppy steering and serious ride issues. For now i'm just down to a few moans/squeaks and absolutely no leaks. I really regret taking it in to get worked on. But I guess thats how you learn things sometimes.

"I just noticed you are in NO. I can't help you much with the quadrajet but the forum has alot of very knowledgeable people who can help. Look up member BarryK. He has a website that contains many helpful papers written on carbs, timing etc. I can help on the timing and a holley or demon. I know just enough to be dangerous.

Go Saints!!!"

Thanks...I'll definately be watching the game. And Lafayette isnt that far...I drive a lot so maybe if I'm heading out that way one day I'll look you up.

 

If you know its been rebuilt then you should be good to go. Even a two bolt main is good for 400 hp/lbft. I bet you would be surprised what recurving the dist and adjusting the carb will get you. Good luck!

 

Sweet, thats good to know

carb and dist are my interim fixes though