Where to go from here?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: WNY
Where to go from here?
Im wondering what the rest of you C3 guys would do next to make more power..
I have a cheap block (made in mexico good wrench 10066036) with low end heads (33417369), Edelbrock 600 carb, edelbrock rpm intake, chambered headers, and an electric fan. Its on a 4 speed car.
If I were to guess, the car is probably pushing 260hp/300lbs at the motor.
My real question is what to do next? Is it really worth putting a cam or head swap in this all cast low end motor? Is the block worth even taking out and building up with forged components? I read this series which starts with the same cheap heads and block, but would any of those mods really be worth it? Im considering buying a better crate motor or just building a decent motor in the garage.. Not exactly in a hurry to do anything on it, the car runs great as it sits.. just needs some more oomph.
I have a cheap block (made in mexico good wrench 10066036) with low end heads (33417369), Edelbrock 600 carb, edelbrock rpm intake, chambered headers, and an electric fan. Its on a 4 speed car.
If I were to guess, the car is probably pushing 260hp/300lbs at the motor.
My real question is what to do next? Is it really worth putting a cam or head swap in this all cast low end motor? Is the block worth even taking out and building up with forged components? I read this series which starts with the same cheap heads and block, but would any of those mods really be worth it? Im considering buying a better crate motor or just building a decent motor in the garage.. Not exactly in a hurry to do anything on it, the car runs great as it sits.. just needs some more oomph.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Well, it really depends on your budget. Nothing wrong with the block but it is nice to build up a new one while you keep the car on the road.
With the existing motor you can do a cam swap fairly cheap. You can get the heads ported and angle milled. Still you will only get so much flow from them. You can gasket match the intake. You can get lightweight pistons and zero deck the block. You could get a 383 kit and redo the whole bottom end, but you will have to consider the heads for this as well. At that point I am building a new motor ground up.
With the existing motor you can do a cam swap fairly cheap. You can get the heads ported and angle milled. Still you will only get so much flow from them. You can gasket match the intake. You can get lightweight pistons and zero deck the block. You could get a 383 kit and redo the whole bottom end, but you will have to consider the heads for this as well. At that point I am building a new motor ground up.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg Illinois
you could look into a top end kit from trick flow specialties. comes with cam, heads, all the bolts, i think everything but the intake manifold and carb. a couple issues back super chevy took a plain jane 2 bolt 350, strapped one of these kits to it and made over 400hp. the block you have should live......
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Brodix IK 180 64 CC heads and this cam will get you around 375 HP. Your block and bottom end will live at that power level.
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...x?csid=87&sb=2
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...x?csid=87&sb=2
Last edited by 63mako; May 6, 2009 at 10:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: WNY
Well, it really depends on your budget. Nothing wrong with the block but it is nice to build up a new one while you keep the car on the road.
With the existing motor you can do a cam swap fairly cheap. You can get the heads ported and angle milled. Still you will only get so much flow from them. You can gasket match the intake. You can get lightweight pistons and zero deck the block. You could get a 383 kit and redo the whole bottom end, but you will have to consider the heads for this as well. At that point I am building a new motor ground up.
With the existing motor you can do a cam swap fairly cheap. You can get the heads ported and angle milled. Still you will only get so much flow from them. You can gasket match the intake. You can get lightweight pistons and zero deck the block. You could get a 383 kit and redo the whole bottom end, but you will have to consider the heads for this as well. At that point I am building a new motor ground up.
Honestly its running great as it sits.. timing is dialed in perfect and very smooth so leaving it alone and building something over the next couple of months wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit.. But with a hecho en mexico block with a cast crank, cast rods, and cast pistons you run into a point where spending cash on it vs buying something like a nice dart block and building it in the garage is reason to debate.
Thanks for the input guys!
