290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

just curious if anyone has ordered this motor before and how it worked out for them? been looking around for a higher h.p. 350 but dont wanna spend a ton either.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...50-290-hp.html

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

lots of happy owners of that engine on here. i think the 8:1 CR is kind of lame

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

was that a sarcastic happy owners or are they actaully pleased? and im not looking for something to extreme just my original 350 in my 79 k30 is gettin tired i'd like a little power.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

how much is that?

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I put one in my wife's 72 Malibu Convertible several years and 50,000 miles later it runs and performs just great . Very happy with it .

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

It's right at 2850 from a near by parts distributor, complete engine minus carb and dist.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

Good to hear was there much of a break in process with it?

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

not sarcastic. but i would go the rout of building one. unless you just need a decent turn key engine. very popular one for that

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I put one of those in my son's truck several years ago. I did, however, upgrade the cam to a little heftier lift, than the original. Yes, I know the warranty would b eaffected, but the engine has performed properly for several years.

Cam, headers, aluminum intake, and upgrade on the carb. I cannot say that it was a bad choice.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

so 3k all together you might as well say. ouch. might want to look into the ls truck swaps everyone is doing.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

Check Ebay. They have been having the 260hp version for 1300 shipped via Jegs off and on for at least 6 months. The rest of that money you could be getting some other goodies. The only major difference is the bumpstick.

Just checked, the cheapest right now is 1509.97 with free shipping via Summit. Again, though, its for the 260hp version. Thats 1300 to use for other goodies though

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I want to add that the cam GM puts in the 290hp version is WAY to much for the low compression. And it's something like a $300-$400 adder over the base Goodwrench 350, right? It may make more horsepower above 4,000 RPM or so, but it WILL absolutely make less torque from 1500-3500 RPM where a truck needs it most.

Heck, even their 330hp crate engine uses a smaller cam. With its better heads and higher compression it will totally kick butt on the 290 at any RPM, and probably get better gas mileage.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

Haven't seen a 330 listed anywhere you have a part number four that?

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I wanted a FAST way to get my truck on the road, This is why I went the crate engine route.

6500 miles later, Absolutely no problems at all. If geared right it will tow anything. Sm 465 with 4.10 rear

Don't be fooled by the numbers. Your original motor didn't make 290 hp anyway.

Here it is pulling all this NO problem.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/P8130888.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...0518021333.jpg

Desert

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I chose the 260 HP version because it made it's power and torque at a slightly lower RPM than the 290 hp version. To me that sounded better for a truck than power & torque at higher RPM. I have not been disappointed with it. Even with the 2.7x rear in my 83, it hauls.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

A good friend of mine just installed one, he couldn't be happier. You can't beat the price from Summit or Jegs.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I'll be installing a 260hp soon. However it will have a Mike Jones hydraulic installed instead of the puny (by almost any means) factory cam. I wanted the best mileage/torque possible with the stock combo. Mike Jones makes camshafts for ANYTHING from a crate 350 to doing r&d for Detroit.

He told me to look for 30-40 hp more with cam,headers and performer rpm, and 2-3 mpg more as well. He says he loves to improve on Detroit's camshafts. However he did say the newer roller cams have been tougher to improve on but it's still possible. His camshafts are not cheap, they are custom ground. My hydraulic was $300. Whereas a comp is probably half. I am relying on his MASSIVE experience and am looking forward to more than what he refers to as a "shelf" grind.

Mike Jones Cams design out of Denver N.C. He is always on the speedtalk forum.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

well before all this extra info and input the last 12 hours, I already pulled the trigger and ordered the 290, spring is right around the corner and i want a dependable engine by then so hopefully im happy with my purchase.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

You would have been better off with the 260HP version. You are paying $400 more for a camshaft.....that is not well matched to the CR

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I forgot to add , I purchased my GM engine from "JEG's" with FREE shipping and a $200.00 off black Friday deal.

You will not regret you purchase, The cost of machine work alone makes this a good deal.

Desert

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I had this engine in my 1970 Blazer. Wish I had saved the money and bought the 260 HP version. Ran good and zero problems, but I don't think the added HP is worth the extra cost especially in a truck.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I have that motor in my c10 and I love it. Nothing crazy but a good overall engine. Good torque to get going and enough power to keep it going. I'd get another

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

This is the one I used. http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...67353/10002/-1
260HP and 350 FT LBS of torque is pretty good for under $1600 shipped. Although when I bought it it was a few hundred less in 2010. Also this is 8.5:1 Compression ratio

I couldn't see paying for for less torque especially with it being for a 4x4.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...99529/10002/-1
290HP and 326 FT LBS of torque. with a 8.0:1 compression ratio.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

My 55 sedan's 327 has a Jones hydraulic flat tappet cam that works very well with the car's 2.52 low gear (Muncie trans) and 3.08 axle. It's only 204/208 with 110 LSA and .443"/.449" lift (a little more with my 1.52:1 rocker arms). I also used his recommend springs and a set of USA made Delphi lifters I bought many years ago.

The engine makes ~18" vacuum and lots of torque from 2000-4500 RPM, while still revving to >5500, which I rarely do. Powerband is wider and much more usable than with the previous 224/230 solid lifter cam. Idle is fairly smooth, but exhaust note is actually deeper and more "throaty" than with the bigger cam, probably due to more cylinder pressure. Static compression is ~9.5:1.

Re: 290 HP 350 anyone used before?
 

I am running a Mike Jones camshaft as well in my '85 with a 355. Hydraulic roller 208/210 at .050 260/268 at .006 112 LSA installed at 109º ICL .490/.468 lift at valve.

I am very satisfied with the overall performance.