350 vs 350 ???

[Guest rxsvn]

another questions for you piston guys

 

Ive found quite a few fuel injected 350's from trucks and such, most of which are local and inexpensive. Ive heard quite a few people say to use the LT1, but what would I run into if I took the cheaper route 350? Are they capable of matching the lt1 power within dumping tons of money into them? Just weighing all my options before I make a decision.

[rustorbust]

You can make plenty of power with a 1st gen small block for not alot of money.

 

James B.

[A. G. Olphart]

Another topic about which I know nothing... So I'll give you some free advice.

 

If you can find a good 5.7 liter Vortec headed truck engine cheap, it could be made to produce decent power. There are a couple of head casting numbers... the word is to avoid the ones ending in 906 as they have hardened exhaust inserts which hurt low lift flow. All require machining of the valve guides for decent lift cams, and must either use 'rail' type self locating rockers or be machined for screw in studs and guide plates. To run a carb they need a special aftermarket intake manifold. The roller cams used in these engines are not cheap (but takeouts may sometimes be found--- people switch up when ordering a roller cam crate engine).

 

Quoting Grumpyvette:"remember vortec heads are meant to produce good low and mid range torque NOT HIGH RPM HP if you want over 400hp-420hp your better off with bigger port,better flowing heads".

 

So your truck engines/heads are a possibilty if you are looking for a street engine. Go elsewhere for an out & out race engine.

 

That said, they do fit on early blocks and are cheap. (Factor in the machining; Sallee Chev and others may still sell the heads with the machining done). For approximate power attainable look through the combinations shown here for Vortec headed engines (#78 is one): http://www.ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos1.html

 

Someone else can fill in the other side of the equation.

[Guest autocroos76]

I have a 406 SBC (.030 over 400) with Trick Flow heads and Edelbrock Pro-Flow injection, I feel this is a great combo. Just to make sure I bought Edelbrock's nitrpous kit (100-150hp). A pre 1987 small block Chevy has to be the most often used motor for everything from race cars to hot rods. Good combinations are all over the internet.