how much is to much???

Moderator: Moderators

how much is to much???

Postby erock805 » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:19 am

i have a 355 that dynoed at 331hp 4 bolt, stock crank, performance rods not forged, standard pistons. I was wondering if i dare goto aluminum heads and a diff cam to push in the 400hp range...will it pop? or is this post to general to even answer? I thought maybe there was some rule of thumb i should know about.
erick in AZ
http://www.myspace.com/erock805
http://www.myrideisme.com/Garage/erock805
73 vega wagon
61 Econoline PU
Road King
34 ford PU
94 bagged crew cab dually
06 GTO
two rat head kids
User avatar
erock805
 
Posts: 221
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:01 pm
Location: Gilbert, az

1973 Chevrolet Vega Kammback GT


Postby v8astregt » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:36 am

I don't think aluminum is neccessarily the answer. You can make every bit of power out of the steel heads as you can the aluminums. I just wen't aluminum because of the weight.


But if you were to go with either a basic Vortec head, or step up and do some Dart Iron Eagles, along with a good cam, you should be able to get good power. Now that 331 hp, was that at the flywheel, or the rear wheels? And what heads are on it now? Cam?
75 Pontiac Astre GT: 406SBC/TH350, roll bar, S10 goodies, down to 11.47 so far, more to come later.
v8astregt
 
Posts: 2789
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:13 pm
Location: Gilbert, AZ

Postby ColinOpseth » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:36 am

I just read a great tech article where a set of ported Bowtie heads were tested against a set of AFRs. The AFRs made gross hp more than the Bowties.

It's something to consider.
Later,
Colin
'72 Vega with '93 Camaro LT1/M29 T56/12 bolt 3.31. 16" IROCs all around. Sanderson headers into duals with an H-pipe and Flowmasters. It's loud but at least it's faster than your grandma's Buick. pwned.
User avatar
ColinOpseth
 
Posts: 2887
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 9:33 pm
Location: Victorville, CA

1972 Chevrolet Vega GT

Postby bill1978v8 » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:14 pm

I'd go aluminum also. The weight savings in these cars (handiling wise) is worth it. You can make big power with both but the aluminum are usaully cast with better ports and bigger valves to make more power.

Bill
1975 Monza 2+2, 4.3L V8, Auto
User avatar
bill1978v8
 
Posts: 1657
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: Ambridge PA

1978 Chevrolet Monza 2+2

aluminum heads

Postby mldeolde » Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:18 pm

ANOTHER PLUS THAT COMES WITH ALUMINUM IS THAT YOU CAN RUN A LITTLE MORE COMPRESSION WITHOUT DETONATION ISSUES. LONGER THAN STOCK RODS ALSO HAVE THIS EFFECT. THATS WHY BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WE PUT- ford- 300 cu in six rods in our sbc motors cause they were cheap strong and long so we could still run pump gas instead of pricey race gas :roll:
User avatar
mldeolde
 
Posts: 1718
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:21 pm
Location: Riverside,California

1975 Chevrolet Monza IMSA


Return to Engine Tech

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests