91 build help needed....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
91 build help needed....
OK....I give up.
I have given myself a headache looking at all the possible options for this car. I was even toying with the idea of a big block so I am definately out of control here.
I am looking on the site that shall remain nameless for 350 and 383 crate engines from $2000-$3500. It seems that there are some good values out there for street engines and the feedback ratings are very good.
I want to get about 400HP/400TQ under the hood need some help from those that are already there.
The 383 will give me bragging rights but is it worth the extra $1000 or so for the extra cubes?
I don't need an $8k 7000 rpm strip motor, just a stoplight racer with a big nasty idle that will light the tires up like I'm on ice and allow me to act like the child that my wife so often accuses me of being.
Can ya help a brother out??
I have given myself a headache looking at all the possible options for this car. I was even toying with the idea of a big block so I am definately out of control here.
I am looking on the site that shall remain nameless for 350 and 383 crate engines from $2000-$3500. It seems that there are some good values out there for street engines and the feedback ratings are very good.
I want to get about 400HP/400TQ under the hood need some help from those that are already there.
The 383 will give me bragging rights but is it worth the extra $1000 or so for the extra cubes?
I don't need an $8k 7000 rpm strip motor, just a stoplight racer with a big nasty idle that will light the tires up like I'm on ice and allow me to act like the child that my wife so often accuses me of being.
Can ya help a brother out??
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
In my opinion, the extra money for the 383 cubes is money well spent. Dollar for dollar, spending money on cubes is an almost guaranteed way to build strong, consistant, reliable power.
383's are popular for a reason. They flat out work well.
383's are popular for a reason. They flat out work well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
I have been running a 383 since 1996 or so. I wore one out, and built a second one.
10.5:1 compression
Edelbrock heads
Superram intake
Hooker headers
2 1/2 inch dual exhaust
I still run the stock programming. Drivability is excellent, it gets great fuel milage,and runs strong.
28 mpg on a trip
12.00 on the strip
high 10's on the spray
10.5:1 compression
Edelbrock heads
Superram intake
Hooker headers
2 1/2 inch dual exhaust
I still run the stock programming. Drivability is excellent, it gets great fuel milage,and runs strong.
28 mpg on a trip
12.00 on the strip
high 10's on the spray
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Sounds just about perfect....
I think that I better do the old "buy it now" thing on this bfore i change my mind again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-I...QQcmdZViewItem
I know that I will need a different intake base, flexplate, and starter (at 100K miles it is probably due anyhow). I already planned on headers and removing the EGR/AIR systems.
Are there any other issues that anyone can think of running into swapping the old style block into the 91?
I think that I better do the old "buy it now" thing on this bfore i change my mind again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-I...QQcmdZViewItem
I know that I will need a different intake base, flexplate, and starter (at 100K miles it is probably due anyhow). I already planned on headers and removing the EGR/AIR systems.
Are there any other issues that anyone can think of running into swapping the old style block into the 91?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Sounds just about perfect....
I think that I better do the old "buy it now" thing on this bfore i change my mind again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-I...QQcmdZViewItem
I know that I will need a different intake base, flexplate, and starter (at 100K miles it is probably due anyhow). I already planned on headers and removing the EGR/AIR systems.
Are there any other issues that anyone can think of running into swapping the old style block into the 91?
I think that I better do the old "buy it now" thing on this bfore i change my mind again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-I...QQcmdZViewItem
I know that I will need a different intake base, flexplate, and starter (at 100K miles it is probably due anyhow). I already planned on headers and removing the EGR/AIR systems.
Are there any other issues that anyone can think of running into swapping the old style block into the 91?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
If you're talking about numbers at the crank you can do 400/400 with a 350. But if you're talking at the wheels you'll be hard pressed to get 400 ft*lb of torque without a 383. You could get the hp there fairly easily, but not the torque.
I run a stock compression (10.5:1) 383, on pump gas it's 391 hp / 390 tq at the wheels. It wouldn't be hard to get 25-30 more hp out of it but I had to "detune" it to stay in my current class.
I run a stock compression (10.5:1) 383, on pump gas it's 391 hp / 390 tq at the wheels. It wouldn't be hard to get 25-30 more hp out of it but I had to "detune" it to stay in my current class.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Sounds like an older tech carbed type motor. Uses 2 piece rear main seal (issue) and flat tappet cam (issue).
Id recommend you get one thats internally balanced also .Some say there is a clearance problem with the 400 balancer and the rack-pinion.
IMO keep looking and avoid the cheap Ebay stuff. Dont mean to sound critical but that kinda stuff scares me.
how much can you really spend?
Id recommend you get one thats internally balanced also .Some say there is a clearance problem with the 400 balancer and the rack-pinion.
IMO keep looking and avoid the cheap Ebay stuff. Dont mean to sound critical but that kinda stuff scares me.
how much can you really spend?
Last edited by cv67; Dec 29, 2007 at 02:33 AM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Sounds like an older tech carbed type motor. Uses 2 piece rear main seal (issue) and flat tappet cam (issue).
Id recommend you get one thats internally balanced also .Some say there is a clearance problem with the 400 balancer and the rack-pinion.
IMO keep looking and avoid the cheap Ebay stuff. Dont mean to sound critical but that kinda stuff scares me.
how much can you really spend?
Id recommend you get one thats internally balanced also .Some say there is a clearance problem with the 400 balancer and the rack-pinion.
IMO keep looking and avoid the cheap Ebay stuff. Dont mean to sound critical but that kinda stuff scares me.
how much can you really spend?
I may just go ahead and build my old block, at least it is all there.