350 or 454?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
A 350 generally makes for a better balanced and sufficiently powered car...but there is just something about a big block! It's kind of like being equipped like John Holmes...great to show off but not really practical in the real world.
I say that...and my car has a big block, so being practical doesn't work for me!
I say that...and my car has a big block, so being practical doesn't work for me!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
What the big block produces that the small block can't is torque or grunt. They make gobs of it. For instance, the 72 454 which was the first year that horsepower was advertised in net figures instead of gross still makes 455 foot pounds of torque.
The 454 was available from 1970 to 1974.
cc
The 454 was available from 1970 to 1974.
cc
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
i guess my ignorance shows when it comes to adding hp..all have done is added headers...unsure about preformance exhausts but other than that i dont know what to do...adding a new carb just seems like a headache but i really desire a fast car
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
You change the intake manifold to increase the airflow into the cylinders.
You change the exhaust manifolds to headers to increase the airflow out of the cylinders but if you choke it down past the headers you gain little of nothing. You need to look into larger exhaust pipes and free flowing mufflers.
The engine is an air pump at it's simplest form. Anything you do should be with the idea of getting more air into and out of the engine.
cc
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
Header and exhaust will get you more power, along with some tuning.
A new carb doesnt always mean more power. If you are running a stock Q-Jet, it is most likely enough. It gives the max amount of air/fuel that your engine can handle. It won't give you more power stuffing on a big new carb if your engine can't handle it.
As for the 350 or 454...choice is easy if money is not an issue...454. But you can pick up a beefy 350 for a reasonably low amount of cash, which is what I and many others have done on here.
Sean
A new carb doesnt always mean more power. If you are running a stock Q-Jet, it is most likely enough. It gives the max amount of air/fuel that your engine can handle. It won't give you more power stuffing on a big new carb if your engine can't handle it.
As for the 350 or 454...choice is easy if money is not an issue...454. But you can pick up a beefy 350 for a reasonably low amount of cash, which is what I and many others have done on here.
Sean
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 664
Likes: 3
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
Like already stated, If money is no option go with the big block. I've got a 550" BB in my 71 and if I had to do it all over again I'd stick with a ~500hp 383, and spend the rest of the money else where on the car. Don't get me wrong, 800 hp is nice, just too much. Now I got to beef up everything to extremeness to match. lol dang corvettes are money pitts.