Looking for more power out of Chevy 350 SBC

[d_rod4]

I have a basically stock Chevy 350 SBC that am looking to upgrade down the road. I am just unsure as to which route I should go. Currently, its running around 9.5:1 comp, cast heads, non-forged parts, RPM Performer intake, Edelbrock 650 with biggest jets possible (reason was last motor was running fairly lean, wanted to make sure that issue was addressed), Mallory distributor, have flex fan and electric fan with a "BeCool" dual core aluminum radiator.

For the transmission, I have a Turbo350 with a shift kit, and I believe my rear end gears are in the high 2's...Not positive yet as I haven't had a chance to check. At 80mph, I am running 3200rpm or so. All of the motor and trans information is just what I had been told by my father so it might correct or it might not. I believe I got it all correct as to what I was told though.

I am very new to building an engine...I haven't done it yet. My father was the go to guy for me on that and he passed away November after battling stage 4 lung cancer for a year. But, I am very mechanically inclined and learn quickly so bear with me please, and any input would be greatly appreciated. I can not afford any parts as of yet but I would just like to at least know which route I should prepare for while I am saving. If there is anything else you would need to know please just ask and I will reply as soon as possible.

[andrewb70]

Welcome to the forum and sorry about the loss of your father.

Sounds like you got a solid combination right now. What kind of car is this in?

Andrew

[d_rod4]

Welcome to the forum and sorry about the loss of your father.

Sounds like you got a solid combination right now. What kind of car is this in?

Andrew

Thank you sir.

It is decent, I also forgot to mention that I have a Comp 280 cam in it as well.

And this is in a 73 Nova SS. I feel the rear end gears are absolutely killing power but I also do a lot of highway driving so jumping up to the low 4's would probably not be the best idea. I'm looking for a 4 or 5 speed auto transmission as well.

[Chevelle598bb]

Gears would make you car feel like it has another 50 hp. What converter are you running. I used many comp 280h cams in motors back in the day. Two things that cam needs is atleast 3000 stall and 3.73 or up gears. If you go with a 5 speed overdrive you dont have to worry about stall speed or deep gears on the highway

[d_rod4]

Gears would make you car feel like it has another 50 hp. What converter are you running. I used many comp 280h cams in motors back in the day. Two things that cam needs is atleast 3000 stall and 3.73 or up gears. If you go with a 5 speed overdrive you dont have to worry about stall speed or deep gears on the highway

Ahh...I have a 2300 stall speed. Is there a 5 speed overdrive auto tranny that I could make fit with some modification?

[bergers59]

Biggest hp gain would be in a new set of heads like AFRs or Edlebrock Performers. Then a cam to match your application along with a properly sized and tuned carb. Companies like AED bench flow carbs and build them to match your car and application. If you're looking into a more in depth rebuild(more money also) I would do the previous recommendations on top of making the engine a 383 with forged bottom end. Just my 2cents

[d_rod4]

Biggest hp gain would be in a new set of heads like AFRs or Edlebrock Performers. Then a cam to match your application along with a properly sized and tuned carb. Companies like AED bench flow carbs and build them to match your car and application. If you're looking into a more in depth rebuild(more money also) I would do the previous recommendations on top of making the engine a 383 with forged bottom end. Just my 2cents

I was looking at making it a 383 down the road for sure. But I didn't know if that would be cost effective in the long run with boosting it eventually, if I feel that need after it was a 383 that is...

[Chevelle598bb]

There are no 5 speed autos for that application. When you mentioned 5 speed I assumed you were refering to a five speed manual such as a tko tremec. 2300 is pretty tight for a 280h in a 350. If it was a 383 or 400 then you could get away with it. Again a deeper set of gears would make it feel like a different car.

[d_rod4]

There are no 5 speed autos for that application. When you mentioned 5 speed I assumed you were refering to a five speed manual such as a tko tremec. 2300 is pretty tight for a 280h in a 350. If it was a 383 or 400 then you could get away with it. Again a deeper set of gears would make it feel like a different car.

Ok, that's what I thought about the transmissions. Sucks.

And it really is...it's drops the rpm down to around 575-650 in gear when it's sitting right at 1100 in park.

What gears could I go to and still maintain decent rpm at 80mph on the freeway? Tire diameter is 25". I'll find out what my current gears are when I get a chance when in back in town. So different gears should be my first purchase before pursuing anything else?

[Blown73]

3.73 would be a helpful gear for your cause it is a good gear to get out of the hole and does fairly well on the highway. Maybe not at 80 mph though with a TH350 or 400. I have gradually stepped down to a 3.50 gear in my car with the hope of better highway economy and overall drive-ability of the car. I run a manual trans though, but I just like the bang through the gears!

[705.0Merc]

What exhaust? Do you have headers? Proper tuning is very important for peak performance. Here (http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html) is a good link on how to read spark plugs.

[d_rod4]

3.73 would be a helpful gear for your cause it is a good gear to get out of the hole and does fairly well on the highway. Maybe not at 80 mph though with a TH350 or 400. I have gradually stepped down to a 3.50 gear in my car with the hope of better highway economy and overall drive-ability of the car. I run a manual trans though, but I just like the bang through the gears!

Ok, I will look into that. My apologies if this is a stupid question, but is there like a 4 speed auto w/overdrive that I could get for my car? I can fab a mount for it, I'd just need it to mount up correctly with my floor shifter and console. Of course, straight bolt on would be amazing.

[d_rod4]

What exhaust? Do you have headers? Proper tuning is very important for peak performance. Here (http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html) is a good link on how to read spark plugs.

Yes sir, I have headers and a complete flow master exhaust. And thank you for that link; I'm reading up on it now!

[Chevelle598bb]

There are no 5 speed autos for that application. When you mentioned 5 speed I assumed you were refering to a five speed manual such as a tko tremec. 2300 is pretty tight for a 280h in a 350. If it was a 383 or 400 then you could get away with it. Again a deeper set of gears would make it feel like a different car.

Ok, that's what I thought about the transmissions. Sucks.

And it really is...it's drops the rpm down to around 575-650 in gear when it's sitting right at 1100 in park.

What gears could I go to and still maintain decent rpm at 80mph on the freeway? Tire diameter is 25". I'll find out what my current gears are when I get a chance when in back in town. So different gears should be my first purchase before pursuing anything else?



If your idle is 1100 in park and 600 in drive then I would tune your engine first before chaning gears or transmissions. A comp 280h shouldnt have to idle more than 800 rpm or so. First look into your intial timing, overall timing and then vacuum advance. Then you can move to the carb and tune it.

[d_rod4]

If your idle is 1100 in park and 600 in drive then I would tune your engine first before chaning gears or transmissions. A comp 280h shouldnt have to idle more than 800 rpm or so. First look into your intial timing, overall timing and then vacuum advance. Then you can move to the carb and tune it.

To be 100% honest, I do not know how to check my vacuum advance but I will look it up. By chance, could the idle mixture just be ver far off and be causing it to drop so much once its in gear? Also, what timing do you recommend for that cam?

[Nothingface5384]

you can get a 4l80e in 5 gears or 6 gears over the typical 4gears if you truly wanted.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm

be advised they have like the worst website ever

[d_rod4]

you can get a 4l80e in 5 gears or 6 gears over the typical 4gears if you truly wanted.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm

be advised they have like the worst website ever

Awesome, thanks for the link. I had been searching for something like that but wasn't able to find anything.
But the $6k price is pretty daunting. Is there any other cheaper option available?