Midnyte81

Hey, its me again. I took back the World Sportsman IIs in exchange for the high-lift vortec heads from Summit (.550 lift), an Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap, a set of chrome centerbolt valve covers, a Melling high-volume oil pump, and pickup (Which is not bad for 900 dollars). I'm wondering if I will be able to break well into the 400hp mark with my current setup:

-350 pre 86 motor (bored 0.060)
-9.5 static CR
-XE268 cam
-650 Holley DP
-1.5/1.6 roller-tip rockers
-MSD 6AL w/wires and the works
-whiny gear set
-A bunch of stickers from Holley, Edelbrock, Summit, Autozone, Jegs, ARP, and Detroit Locker (I heard they were worth at least 25 hp)

I did try searching this topic, but to no avail.

Any help is greatly appreciated

7plagues

iTrader: (1)

i dont think you'll get the 400hp. check my combo, its pretty much the same minus the highlift and the one step down cam in size. with a full tune which i need to get i would expect maybe....290hp-300hp to the wheels.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

ditch the whiny gear set, get a quality double roller, 750dp holley, XE274, 3500 stall, 3.73 or bigger gears and you'll have your 400+fwhp

Midnyte81

I hate to ask, but how does the 3500 stall converter put me into the 400rwhp range? I know it is supposed to put you in your specific powerband (such as my 2000 stall for my 1500-6500 powerband range).

Would it be a better choice to get the XE 274, or keep the 1.6 roller tip rockers with the XE268 (With the 1.6s, they have more lift and a streetable duration/lsa).

As far as the gears, I can't take them back. The return date expired. Besides, its a guarantee that I wont have to change a timing chain again.

I should have stated this earlier. I know there is no way on God's green earth is this setup going to make 400 rwhp. I'm wondering about 400+ flywheel horsepower/torque. With a 25% drivetrain loss, I'm looking at 300+ hp/tq. 500 flywheel hp would be nice, but it would be a pain in the butt since I would have to make other provisions to make sure the car doesn't fall apart.

Midnyte81

When I called Edelbrock tech support, they said the Perf RPM Air gap makes more than the regular perf RPM due to the space between the valley pan and the intake runners. They didn't say how much more power, but they said its noticeable.
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Hey, I just realized what you said. Are you saying if I make these changes, I'll make 500 flywheel hp?

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

no i hit "r" instead of "f". That cam won't make 400hp, the XE274 with the 1.6 rockers you already have would. The stall is there to put the engine in it's powerband and without a bigger stall the car won't run anywhere near it's potential and will feel soggy on the bottom end. Those noisy gearsets take HP to turn and I've seen a vast improvement in ET just by swapping them out for a quality double roller. If you build a XE274, etc etc I'd see 415-430hp out of the combo at the engine, not the rear wheels. Your carb is too small, the cam is too small, the gear set is eating power, the stall is too small, etc etc. For what you put together I'm sure it'll be fun for you, but is not optimized at all for what it's capable of.

That air gap intake has the same runner structure as a normal RPM intake, just it keeps the intake charge slightly cooler due to a separated inner section to allow airflow, a noticeable difference I would question though.

Midnyte81

Ok. I guess I'll be buying a XE 274 cam. I have a 750 DP in the garage. I didn't use it because a lot of people tell me that its too much carb. So right now I'm selling/ditching:

Gear set
XE268 Cam


I'm going to get:
True Roller timing chain
XE274 Cam
I'll replace the TC next year. Remember that this car will never hit the track (For the rest of this year).

Anything else I need to ensure breaking this 400 hp point?

Xpndbl3, I don't mean to question, but I want to make sure my money is going to something proven true. You sound to me you know what you're talking about. The XE268 was fun, but I guess it is time to upgrade.

I only want +/- 400 hp (Right now) because my car weighs in (when it was gutted)at about 2600 approx (It is partially gutted now, but won't take long to remove the rest). Truthfully. I weighed it a couple of years back when I had access to a scale for 18-wheelers.

I'm looking at the GTO and its 400 HP with 4000 pounds. If I'm 400 HP/TQ with 2600 pounds, I'll be noticeable on the street, and eventually strip.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

first i seriously doubt the car weighs 2600 pounds, maybe without the motor in it or the trans. My car is around 3200 pounds and I've done almost everything short of lexan windows to get it lighter. Yes the 3500 stall, 3.73s, 26" slicks, 750dp, XE274 cam is a proven vortec combo for 400+ hp.

Midnyte81

Oops, should have went further into subject. My Camaro isn't the car I was referring to. I should have explained that. I had a 84TA that was 2600 lbs. That car died a horrible death in the rain from Atlanta to Waner Robins. That did have speedglass installed (which was over $1200), fiberglass hood, doors, trunk, one fiberglass racing seat, no interior, no a/c, no heat, alum heads, alum and lightweight almost everything from driveshaft to rear. Engine had lightweight forged internals, but it blew up when I accidentally pressed the nitrous button (200 shot) going 75 mph at 1500 rpm (in 2001). I have never been so scared in my life flying down the street on fire, but I learned some valuable lessons.
1. always have an arming switch.
2. Never build a motor that isn't reliable. Reliability beats power everyday
3. Never give a 20 year old enough money to be stupid with (This is when I first joined the Army with my bonus. 20k goes a long way in being stupid. Only 7 went into the car though)

I know better now
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With money, anything is possible. However, a fool and his money are soon parted. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten Vortec heads back in 01 when someone was selling them for $50 a set (A friend) and built a reliable car, instead of car #4.

leo23

nice combo and its fun too
i did the zz4 hot cam combo smaller stall and i love it 340hp

leo23

good suggestion and if it was me i would do 4.11 and a 315 tire the two complement each other well

327???

If those are the summit brand vortec heads then they are cast by dart and inferior to the gm vortec heads, but still capable of 400hp. listen to xpndbl3, he knows what he is talking about.