gleninsandiego

While I have been focusing on the body and chassis of my 69 hot rod rebuild, I am now turning my attention to the engine.
It came with a 350 ci/ 350 hp engine, but I want more torque and power,
say 350 hp at the rear wheels.

I am currently thinking going to a 383 with a holly sniper efi but am open to suggestions

I am pondering if I can run the stock hood with this type of set up?
Will there be enough clearance? That would be my first choice

If not, what are my hood options? I prefer not to go with the L88 style hood.

I want to get this somewhat sorted out so I can mod or replace the hood before the body gets painted

Thanks for the help
Glenn in San Diego

a striper

I had a 383 with an RPM Air Gap and stock drop air cleaner/3" element that made 327RWHP through a T56. I used steel motor mounts that I reworked to lower the engine about .200". Just fit under a BB/LT-1 hood. I dynoed it with a small hydraulic flat tappet cam. After I switched to a larger solid roller the car really woke up but no numbers for that configuration.

Jason Staley

I have a ZZ4 350 based engine, GM's LT4 "hot cam", 1/2" carb spacer, and a Moroso drop base air cleaner that is making 328 RWHP through a Richmond 5 speed manual. Still using the stock 76' hood.

This is a pretty mild setup, so if you went with a 383 or larger w/ a roller cam, I would think your stock hood would work. Good Luck

Fredtoo

How hes the RG trans fit with the stock transmission console?

Dos the shifter line up where the stock one was?

Dynra Rockets

There are dozens, if not a hundred recipes to get 350 rwhp to the rear wheels. One question to answer is at what rpm do you want it at. 350 rwhp at 4000 rpm <> 350 rwhp at 6500 rpm.

Power, and when the power comes on, is determined by displacement, camshaft and airflow (predominately heads).

What is your budget?:
What rpm peak do you desire?
350 or 383?

Once those 3 are answered then the next two of heads and camshaft can be narrowed down to maybe 12-15 combinations.

If that makes your head hurt then consider a OTC crate engine already built to your goals. Likely less expensive in the long run and reduces downtime for more quality driving time.

R

Alan 71

Hi Glenn,
"I am pondering if I can run the stock hood with this type of set up?
Will there be enough clearance? That would be my first choice"

"If not, what are my hood options? I prefer not to go with the L88 style hood."

Have you considered the BB/LT-! hood?
Might that give you the extra clearance you could need?
Regards,
Alan

Knerf

is there more clearance from a bb/lt1 hood than say a 74 hood?

69Vett

you gain maybe ... 3/8" with BB/ LT1 hood.
look for more hood clearance if your adding intake height.

a striper

I don't have dyno numbers but one that fit under the small block hood was a 350 I did in the 70's that would trap at 108.8 and was fine in traffic. I used an original Torker on that one.

ignatz

The little I can offer here is that an air gap with a Holley rubs on my friends 68 with the stock hood and a drop base air cleaner

gleninsandiego

Thanks for all the replies
Great food for thought

While I like the LT1/BB hood looks, it doesn't sound
like it will give me much extra room

Which drives me to the L88 hood, or
sticking with a low rise manifold and the stock hood

So can I get the 350 at the rear wheels with the low rise
manifold? It sounds like that may be possible

Glenn in San Diego

Knerf

my 68 has a 75 hood on it i believe, i have a victor jr. intake and with that combo i could fit a 3" filter with a little modification of the top of the air cleaner and a drop base.

i changed it over to a 2" element and put an air cleaner lid on that didnt have to be smashed down.

now if a bb/lt1 hood gives more clearance than my hood one would think you could easly make that work instead of having to go with the l88 hood.

a striper

No guarantees but my recollection is small to tall:

'68-'72 small block
'68-'72 big block/LT-1
'73-'79
L88

IIRC the '80-'82 is lower than the '73-'79 but I don't know how it compares with wiper door hoods.