Need More Power
 

I just bought a 1981 Z28 with a 350 4 barrel. I want more horsepower but i am limited by a budget. My goal is 400 horsepower at the rear wheels. So far i plan on headers + full exhaust, new valves, cams, heads, pistons, and the rest i can't decide on. Any suggestions?

RE: Need More Power
 

Go check out the V8 modifications disscussion forums and check out the 350 modifications. In that you get a lot of posts on moding a carbed 350

RE: Need More Power
 

Well my friend if u have a low budget ur gonna waste ur time. ur in the wrong hobby

RE: Need More Power
 

Install a set of Dart Iron Eagle Heads, the 200's should work fine. A camshaft with about 230 degrees @ .050" valve lift, a decent single plane intake manifold ( IE: Edelbrock Victor Jr. ), a 750 cfm carb and a good ignition. Get the headers. You should be able to do this for $1200-$1500 and get in the horsepower area You want. I think 360-380 would be more realistic. Also put a 1" carb spacer if You have the room...worth anywhere from 10-25 Hp. Don't go any taller on the spacer, it'll hurt HP. If it's a 350, run about 34-38 degrees or total timing and make sure the carb is jetted right. Read a bit more, An 350 engine don't have Cams ( it only has 1 ) unless it's an OHC ( a 350 isn't ). If the short block is in good condition, just have it honed and deck surfaced w new cam bearings and freeze plugs. Put new rings and bearings ( don't replace the pistons if they're in good shape ). You should be able to do the short block pretty reasonable unless it needs boring and pistons. Good luck with Your project.

RE: Need More Power
 

I have a intake manifold for sale

RE: Need More Power
 

Well the engine isn't running...the guy i bought it from said he heard a bang and stweam started coming uot from under the hood and all the check engine lights came on. He said he had it towed to his house where it turned over but ran very poorly. So im going to get the block tested. If it's good i'll probably use it but otherwise i'll probably buy a crate engine and go from there. And my budget is more than $6000, i just don't want to spend more than i have to to get 350-400 horsepower.

RE: Need More Power
 

roll with that budget

RE: Need More Power
 

LOL...my uncle just put me into the idea of an LS1 crate engine...any thoughts?

RE: Need More Power
 

LS1s are fast reliable and one hell of a motor to mod. The only thing about putting it in an old car is you have to get a computer to run the whole thing.

RE: Need More Power
 

I would. If you get the LS 1 from GM performance it should come with the computer needed to run it.

RE: Need More Power
 

It does. It's expensive though. It's just whether i can justify the extra $1200 over the other crates im considering (which both have more horsepower). I'll go through GM for the motor anyway.
Im looking at the ZZ4
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...2-P945C53.aspx
or the Ramjet 350
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...20-P22C53.aspx

I don't think im gonna rebuild te he old engine. The crates will perform so much better and will be way more reliable. Plus they have warranties.

RE: Need More Power
 

This is the all around best choice. But that's just me.

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...74-P17C54.aspx

RE: Need More Power
 

Too heavy. I want it to handle well.

RE: Need More Power
 

only 150 lbs, fiberglass hood and fenders fix that, but I know what you mean.

RE: Need More Power
 

400 HP at the rear wheels for that you will need a engine producing closer to 500hp at the crank, you will not get that out of a 350 unless you do a major rebuild, higher compression, stronger rods, crank work and a somewhat aggressive cam, vortec heads can make that kind of power but require a good amount of work you would be better off buying a set of AFRs or DARTS. I am just assembling a 406 that should make 560 hp at 6500 rpm the bill for the machine work is $2100.00 and the parts are prob another $2600.00. A good machine shop can build a motor that is a very reliable. The 350 is a very good engine and has a very large choice of aftermarket parts. Get a good block good internals a nitrous plate and you will hit your mark on pump gas;) Good Luck

RE: Need More Power
 

I've been looking further into it and 400HP at the crank will be plenty. No lower than 375 though. I'll probably do some other things to get that extra bit of speed. Possibly spray, but not right at first. I'm about 95% towards going with a crate engine. I like the look of GM's ZZ4. That'l probably be the one i go with as of right now. With the air induction hood, a carb spacer, hooker long tube headers, and borla cat backs i should be close.

RE: Need More Power
 

What is the most HP that you have had before? Unless your stepping down from 450 or so the ZZ4 will be fast enough to fry tires and throw you in your seat. Looks are another large part of your car, a nice motor really is a hell of a thing to show off. If I was to pick the motor going into my car the ZZ4 was one of the top choices. Just got lucky while helping a guy put a 454 crate in his camaro,he laughed and said, " So what else do I have to do to this thing before you'll trade me." I said done deal, thought he was joking until he handed me the keys. To tell the truth she has about 100 more poneys then I need.

RE: Need More Power
 

That would be the easiest way to go just watch the amount of spray the pistons in that engine are prob the limiting factor. Looks like a nice engine and the warrentee is always a plus.

RE: Need More Power
 

Agreed. And don't worry...I've driven my dad's 1999 Vette with no problem. I can handle that kind of power. As a matter of fact, im gonna be racing my dad on the strip when we're done. I'll buy a nice set of slicks for that. I'll also be racing against my buddies 1980 Trans Am. He's got the motor from a 1969 GTO, a turbo 400, and he's got hooker headers on it. Im gonna wait until next year before i do any of the supension upgrdes i have planned.

RE: Need More Power
 

As far as suspentions go if your looking to drag race do some research on CALTRACKs its what alot of the "stock suspention" guys are running, If nothing else a very interesting concept on how leaf springs transfer power.

RE: Need More Power
 

Yeah,Your gona need all the power you can get if you want to race those.

RE: Need More Power
 

Ill be close to the trans am as t's a stock GTO motor, other than the heders that is. The corvette i probably wont be able to touch but it'll still be fun to race.

RE: Need More Power
 

Take a 454 Block and put a 396 Crank in it to build a 427. The 427 is the Cheapest HP/Dollar Engine GM ever made. No External Ballancing and the Pistons are cheaper and they like to rev.

RE: Need More Power
 

if you're looking for handling as well as performance, you are on the right path with a mouse motor. it you went big block (which I love) you have to try to find weight savings and suspension changes which only brings the build cost way up and then you still have a tough time trying to get back to a close 50/50 front/rear weight ratio

these days you can't beat GM for a crate engine

RE: Need More Power
 

Don't know how much You can spend, but an aluminum head big block will handle almost as well as the small block and make EL GRANDE horsepower and torque. 502 Crate with aluminum heads is killer.