355 2 bolt 400hp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton, Illinois
355 2 bolt 400hp
I have a 79 Vette with the original 355 rebuilt engine apx 5000 miles on rebuild. Engine is built stock w/ ARP hardware. I want to ad a set of Brodix 180 with a Lunati 60103 cam 227/232 489/ 503. I am trying for 400hp. What do you think about the 2 bolt mains, would the bottom end be okay?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
400 hp won't break the engine merely due to torque. Of course, a nearly 40 year-old engine on "steroids" can only live so long. When the load [eventually] propagates a crack, it will eventually work through to failure. More HP = less life. But, enjoy it while it 'lives'.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: NORTHEAST
Most of the broken caps we have seen have been guys tring to use a 3.750 in a 2 bolt main.
In 38 years I have a 5 gallon pail with broken caps and caps that did not fit the registers because they were over powered.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ps-1992-a.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/advanc...ever-seen.html
In 38 years I have a 5 gallon pail with broken caps and caps that did not fit the registers because they were over powered.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ps-1992-a.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/advanc...ever-seen.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
Lots of guys get 400hp and more out of 2-bolt blocks for years with no problems. Of course, if there's a flaw in any of the parts eventually you'll find it, but you are by no means pushing the limits of a 2-bolt SBC.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
A 2-bolt 350 can handle 400 hp. A 2-bolt 350 can handle 500 hp. The question is "How long can it handle XXX hp?" At any level of power an engine has a finite life; and the higher the HP the lower the life. It's that simple. I think 400 hp is about as high as you can go with a 2-bolt block and expect 'adequate' life...especially if you are going to use that 400 hp.
