Hi all, I have a ‘76 with a stock 350 in it. It was rebuilt a few years back, but I really want more power. The stock 180HP is just not enough. The torque figure is alright, and does help to give it some pep, but I would still like a bit more. I thought about maybe doing some upgrades, but I would think that doing so would ruin any chance of it passing emissions.

So, that leaves me with needing to replace the engine (unless some of you guys who are much smarter than I have any ideas). What engine would you recommend for someone on a budget? And are there maybe some engines out there that aren’t fully dressed that I could use some of the parts I already have on (i.e. carb, fuel pump, etc.)?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Depends on the budget. Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

 

I’m not looking for a whole lot. I’d be perfectly fine with around 300HP. Heck, I would even be fine with 250HP. I just want it to be a bit quicker off of the line. It’s pretty sad when my Honda Odyssey can keep up with it.

 

Thats how it always starts lol..... power is like drug pretty soon your hooked and want more!

 

I’m making about 250 net with an edlebrock performer intake, cam, 2.5 inch dual exhaust, Lars timing tune. Stock heads and pistons. You arnt gonna get much more than 250 without new cam and heads. You arnt gonna be making big boy power 400+ without a full rebuild and blueprint, and at that point a crate engine is often more financially sensible

 

talk to a local machine shop about a rebuild with more compression, roller cam and headers and your goal then compare that cost with a 355 crate that is already done but is essentially the same thing as what you have sans compression and cam
allot of choices arent available right now

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending

 

3.70 or 3.90 gears will help. I wish I would have started there instead of going straight to a crate motor.

 

I bought a crate engine from Blueprint Engines for my 74
Fully dressed under $4K
That and the Tremec 5 speed were the best money I ever spent
Plenty of power, tons of torque and with the overdrive makes cruising down the highway a pleasure!

 

I would clarify this

ruin any chance of it passing emissions.

 

Clash

Have you considered a different transmission? A four-speed automatic would give you a lower low, improving initial acceleration, and an overdrive, reducing cruise rpm. Likewise, a 5-6 speed manual transmission would provide similar benefit. Just something else to consider.

Mapman

 

late 70s emissions engines are choked

I'd go with good exh, headers, better heads, cam, and intake

There are a ton of cheap high flow options but by the time you spend all this money, you will be nudging crate engine

ever thought of an LS swap? Much better platform for performance and cheap starting point.

I'd put in a 5.3 econo turbo swap and never look back.

 

and maybe add a 3.70 rear end, then you are good to go. (maybe later a TH700 or 200 / T5WC transmission swap)

 

what state are you in that you need to worry about emissions? a budget build would entail using your already rebuilt engine and upgrading the cam and heads and exhaust. exhaust first. 76 had that horrible cat like the 75 that should go first. if emissions needed, a pair of used cats from a 3.3 caravan or similar plumbed to duals would be a big improvement. you would have to scare them up somehow. buying a junker and cutting out the cat and re-junking is about the only way. it would be nice if they didn't have the laws the way way they are, cuz any used cat (from 90 on up!) is superior to the aftermarket crap. and we are ALL required to have the cat installed on every 75-newer. even way out in the boonies in a no-inspection state. but i have never heard of somebody being ticketed for missing emissions stuff except in the Kalifornia Soviet Socialist Republick

 

The FIRST question.... is are you still running that HORRIFIC stock exhaust system? The stock tune? If so, START THERE. Those two details alone dropped the 250HP 74 L82 engine to 205HP in 75.


You want budget? Skip the rebuild. Anyone who will build you a 'HP' engine for cheap probably shouldn't be building engines...


Find a junkyard pull-out L31 350 Vortec. Get some good longtube headers, a proper 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust with GOOD mufflers, drop an RPM intake and the carb ov your choice on top. Upgrade the cam (educate yourself on the little Vortec tricks you need to know about doing this first). That alone will get you (by what i've read many many times) anywhere from 350HP to close to 400HP. Hell... a BONE STOCK 350 Vortec with carb, headers and exhaust will get you 300+HP.

If you wanna get trickier, and dont mind getting dirty, you can 'phase 2' this build by flycutting the stock pistons in the engine, shaving the heads a bit, porting them a bit, and going with a more aggressive cam, maybe a bigger carb. Guys have made WELL over 400HP on stock shortblocks doing this. Those Vortec heads are no joke. You can find pull-out L31's for $500 or less, and there is no shortage ov examples to choose from. Last time i looked i found a 50K mile example from a babied truck, for $600, and 9 more L31's, running, for under a grand.

 

Emissions testing....

I would look hard at a mild converter and trans cooler. Rear gears would also work but I like the converter option better.

 

^^^^ This ^^^^^^

If you are somewhat happy with the results of the rebuild, then the drivetrain is next.
Axle ratios and looser torque convertor (multiplier) is like adding 500 H.P. (give or take 400)

 

If you feel your engine is in good shape you will get a lot more plus's for your money putting in a 4 speed auto trans and mild converter stall speed upgrade.These changes for the good will also cause zero problems with any emission problems.

 

Id start here too. Changing out the stock catalytic converters won’t find you 100 HP, but it will make a noticeable difference and hopefully you can still pass smog. You’ll have to do this to take advantage of any engine upgrades.

 

Do you have to pass a tailpipe test and visual?

 

Yes. Even going from 3.08 gears to 3.55 made my stock L48 feel like a different car.