for those with GM 330HP Crate Engine
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
for those with GM 330HP Crate Engine
Is this engine a tire smoker in your Vette?
I am finding that it isn't in mine - I am a little disappointed in the amount of torque (pull) that the car has.
What has your experience been with this engine?
I am finding that it isn't in mine - I am a little disappointed in the amount of torque (pull) that the car has.
What has your experience been with this engine?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Too many questions. Can a 330 HP engine break tires loose? Yes. Yours might not be for reasons other than the engine. Who timed and tuned your engine? What intake, carb, transmission, TC, exhaust?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I have the GM 350HP in one of my cars...not a Vette. Edelbrock EFI was added. The car has enough power to smoke the tires in the first two gears.
I can't see your engine being the problem if there is one.
I can't see your engine being the problem if there is one.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Carol Stream Illinois
I have a 430HP 383 stroker in my '82 with a 700R4, 3:73 gears and a 2400 stall speed converter and mine will go down the street sideways as long as you want it to in all 4 gears. I agree that there is more than the engine involved with how quick the car is. It is a precise balance of all the drivetrain components that make a difference, not just engine HP!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
You need to tell more about your car to narrow the problem down. I'll look for the list of things I did that got my HO to its current output.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
Ive had that engine in 2 cars not vettes though. one came in a 65 chevelle I bought it couldnt get out of its own way it had the wrong plugs,carb was jetted wrong,and timing curve was wrong I tuned ti to the GM specs and it was night and day difference. I have had the 385hp fast burn engine also also excellent when properly tuned.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
My experience with the GM crate engines has been that you need to make sure that they are optimally tuned and have the usual aftermarket goodies (ie headers, dual exhaust etc) to maximize the potential. With all that said, remember that the GM crate engines are rated as GROSS, not NET, HP like al cars since 1972. Unless the GM crate engine is currently instaled from the factory in a vehicle (LS7 crate engine is rated at 505 Net HP) , the HP rating is gross. A 330 Gross HP crate engine is roughly 275-285 Net HP, and of course much less for RWHP. Probably not too hard to get to 290-300 RWHP with fairly easy mods!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
My experience with the GM crate engines has been that you need to make sure that they are optimally tuned and have the usual aftermarket goodies (ie headers, dual exhaust etc) to maximize the potential. With all that said, remember that the GM crate engines are rated as GROSS, not NET, HP like al cars since 1972. Unless the GM crate engine is currently instaled from the factory in a vehicle (LS7 crate engine is rated at 505 Net HP) , the HP rating is gross. A 330 Gross HP crate engine is roughly 275-285 Net HP, and of course much less for RWHP. Probably not too hard to get to 290-300 RWHP with fairly easy mods!
You really need to optimally tune your GM Performance crate and surround it with aftermarket goodies. The add-ons that gave me the most improvement were full-length headers, true dual exhaust with an H- or (better yet) X-pipe, and high flow mufflers. The Vortec heads and GM low-profile intake flow really well on the intake-end, but you need to modify your exhaust from stock to improve the flow on the exhaust end.
My thread with my most recent dyno results and tuning I did to get nearly 295 rwhp from the 330 hp HO:
GM Performance 350 HO dyno results
The HO also provides a good foundation for a 400+ hp engine by adding the GM Performance LT1 Hot Cam kit and Comp Cam springs (not the springs that come with the kit). That is my next major project.
