So guys, engine names aside. How hard would it be to get 350 horses out of an olds 350?

Simple answer for a simple question. 350 HP on an engine dyno would be a "piece of cake".

Now, I'll deviate from my normal policy, one time, and read (and answer) part of what is not there.

Since so many different spec combinations can be used to achieve that goal, and each will show different power/torque characteristics, the number is about as useful as the term "Rocket" when describing a "real world" engine.

Personally, I don't consider "bragging rights" or "advertising", part of the real world.

Norm.

So you're saying its easy?

I forgot to delete my previous post while I was editing it. I would have changed it accordingly, but, the editing mode does not show new posts.

Sorry for the confusion.


Very.

Norm

Ok. Can you maybe give an example? Some specs on the parts? Or again, its just not that easy... ?

Should have been "finding", not "writing" the manual. Wanted to verify the numbers before posting.

Deck height is the distance from the crank centerline to the surface that the head bolts to.

Blueprint calls for a deck height of: 9.330" for the 307/350/403, and 10.625" for the 400/425/455. That changes the external dimensions by about .9" in height, and the same on each side.

Other than the intake manifold and the parts directly related to displacement, everything is the same.

Not the same as BB and SB Chev, where they are actually different and nothing will interchange except the distributor and starter.

Norm.

Do you want someone to do the work for you, or do you want to learn how to do it for yourself.


Do you want to put it on a dyno and get the number, or do you want to put together something you can actually use?

Norm

I agree. 350 horses with a 2:43 gear isnt very useful on the street, at least as far as accelleration is concerned, where 200 horses with a 3:73 gear would feel more like 350 horses.

Since you re-registered for ROP, check the engine build section. There are many proven, affordable combos out there that you could copy, or take ideas from. It would be a good idea to post them here too, so we can continue to help. The nice thing is, there are small blocks and big blocks, so you get an idea of what it takes for each to make the kind of power you are looking for.

Hope this helps

Andrew

Coupe, I would like to provide the specs myself, but how? Where do I start? What exactly changes in the block that makes it put out more horsepower?

Andrew, I already have a turbo 350 trans and 4:11 gears on it.

Coupe, I would like to put it on a dyno and see what the results are, but screw that, I'm going for a build where I can save a few dollars. So I am looking for a daily driver 350 that'll still pull the car into at least 13's on the 1/4 mile. I'll fork out about $3500 for the build, and the swap is gonna cost me $700.

On another note, my friend is selling a set of Impala rims, so I started thinking about how they would look on the Cutlass. But is the bolt pattern same on Chevy and Olds?

I really like this build:

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php ... hlight=350

Looks like a decent build. AFAIK, Jim has been running that for awhile with no problems.

Engines are air pumps. The more air you get them to pump, the more power you make. However you want it [the air] to flow as fast as possible. The more fuel/air mix you can get the engine to burn effectively, the more horsepower you make. Makes sense, right?

There are many ways to accomplish this, but the best way is in balance. You want all the components to work together (just like how you want to pick the right cam). I am not very good at this sort of thing, I simply dont have the engine building experience to give advice I am comfortable giving. I'll leave that to someone more experienced than I.

However, I know with your gear- 13s should be cake.

Andrew

Haven’t you already started? Haven’t you been collecting pieces of the puzzle?

Keep asking questions about anything you do not understand. It will become clearer as you start seeing how they go together.


The block itself? Nothing. Power increases come from the combination of parts inside and on it.


I missed it also. What size tires are on it now?


Biggest savings come from not buying parts you don't need.


How much inconvenience and extra maintenance/expense can you live with?


I’m sure, the engine you use will have already been built by the factory. You would be doing a rebuild.


Impala should be a full size car. If so, no.


Cast pistons are cheap and are more than up to the job at that level. Problem is, he had to zero deck and mill the heads to get up to 9:1 CR. Because of that, he had to use adjustable rockers and custom pushrods. I would have used a piston with more compression height.

Aftermarket distributor is not needed at that level.

Ram air starts adding power at about 60 MPH.

Cam is better suited to a Nitrous/blower application.

26" tire/3.42 gears = 3100+ RPM at 70 MPH.

He changes to slicks and retards timing 2° in order to use the N²O.

Norm

Ok strange setup. What about this?

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18118

Gas friendly and has more torque then I wanted. Its hooking up to a 350 tranny which I got, and almost same size gears. I've got a good feeling about this one.

And I can order the cometic? gasket to get more horses outta it.

Coupe what kind of inconveniences are we talking about? And I can live with above average maintenance. Might even learn a thing or two.

he rear tires are BFG Radial TA's 295/50R15

Looks more like the ticket to me... Hopefully you dont have to machine your crank that much...

Id ditch the 4 corner cooling, and maybe the pertronix. I would like to think that OEM HEI would support that... 4 corner cooling flows coolant out of the drivers rear corner of the intake, to improve coolant flow, although it is much debated. You lose the heater if you do it too, although I guess you could plumb it in...

I have read differing opinions on gapless rings too, but again, I have no experience with them so I cant verify one way or the other.

Yes you can order the cometic head gasket. FCR on ROP usually has a good price on them, so does BTR. There should be a vendor thread over there...

well just got a pm from the owner of that engine. he said the parts alone were 6 grand, which is over my budget.

yes, but Im guessing he spent a lot more on billet and appearance than you likely would. Those Head covers look awesome, and expensive!