I6 vs V8

[rub1401]

Hey guys I just wanted to post to get some of your opinions on a subject. I have a 69 GMC with a 292. It runs great but I was thinking about building a 350 for it. I want a truck that can get up and go when I want it to. Now tell me do you guys think it would be worth my while to rebuild the 292 or to build a 350 for this truck? Keep in mind the truck is 2wd, has a SM465, and I would like to keep the cost low. If you think I should keep the 292 let me know what you think I should do to get more out of it and what kind of parts should I go with (while keeping the cost low), and what kind of HP you think I can get out of it (while keeping the cost low). Basically what would you do if this was your truck?

[Brad]

I'll be the first to say that it's cheaper to build a V8 with hp than it is an L6.
Having said that I think you should build the 6!

[GREASEMONKEY72]

id build the 292

[lutherb69]

I'm in the same boat whish I could help but I can't make up my own mind.
cliffordperformance.net and merchantamerica.com have a-lot for the IL6. Hope this helps

[rwgregory]

Lets look at the facts. With your granny box 4 spd. you are not going to end up with a hot rod with any engine. Unless you already own a 350 there is the expense of the engine, mounts, brackets, pulleys, hoses, cooling system etc. Either engine will need a cam, carb, intake, headers, HEI and exhaust system. You will have to spend more for a 6 cyl. cam and intake, but the other hi-po parts will cost you the same for either engine. You already have a good running 292 installed, hooked up and rolling. I think it's a no brainer. Warm up your existing 292, be different, and you will probably come out money ahead.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Chicks dig guys with V8's -- Really, they're sooo normal.
So if you don't want any of your 292 parts, I could take 'em off your hands: especially L6 Z-bar, 292 side lifter covers, deep dish oil pan, and those 292 specific engine mounts.

[68c-10]

Rebuild the 6!!!

[streetstar]

i agree --- the 6 is cool. One of the guys said it best about the tranny -- it will be hard to make a mild v8 fast with that thing. That said, though -- i just use mine like i would a 3 speed and never touch 1st gear and it runs out alright.

Headers, a little bit of chrome and dual 2 bbl's on an I-6 is too cool for school

[clay68c10]

Do the 6. Seems like everyone has a 350 already.

[bandit1]

Do the 6!

[Shyguy]

If it were me I would fix up the 6 cylinder. They sound real good with headers and dual exhausts. Also keep the 4 speed, it is real sturdy and will hold up a lot better if you use the truck to pull any thing.

Danny -SEMO

[RANDY COX]

Do the six,do the six,oh ya baby,gonna do the six Iv'e got mine ready to be put in with offy 4-barrell intake with a holley 450.Can't wait,caint wait.

[PanelDeland]

My vote is the 6.I mean after all you already have a belly button don't you.I think the different factor of the 6 is really cool.You can make it perform well without breaking the bank especially if you do it over a period of time.In order to get much in the way of performance out of even a V8 you will need to swap trannys.You could go to a car style 4 speed or an auto and the 6 should pull you fine.Mine is a 250 and I'm keeping it.

[lpaine]

I'm in the same dilema as you, I can't decide wether I should go with a straight 6 for my up-coming 67 project or a V-8, I'm sort of leaning towards the six, however thats a long ways off for me, you'll figure it out soon enough. Oh, and I beleive the 6 is significantly lighter than a small block (if memory serves me, I think its around 100-150 lbs. lighter?) someone else on here will chime in on that.Good Luck

[jimmydean]

If I remember wasn't n2billet's '68 in a couple shots in Classic Trucks magazine where they commented on how sweet it was with a trick 6? That was very cool.

[OhNoJoe]

I got my 72 burb with a 292 pulled the motor, just got some parts, cleaning up the front part of the frame... if I get the durn sheet metal off in without taking an axe to it grrrrrrrrrrrr. I'm droping that 292 right back in there going to add A/C and power steering already have an auto. I'm guessing that no one in Springfield Illinois is gonna have that set-up. If you want to go fast throw a 350 in a VW or a chevette if you want to pull your neibghor's tree down (did I say that out loud) stick with the I6

[rub1401]

Thanks for the input guys, keep em coming. You guys definately have me leaning towards the 6. If I did that though I would definately like to get rid of the tranny. I don't think i'll ever go anywhere fast with that thing. What do you think about a TH350? My truck was originally an automatic and somebody before me switched it out to the 4 speed and although I know it's a strong transmission it is a dog and I really do not tow anything. What kind of horesepower do you think I could get out of some simple mods. I already have a set of headers and i'm looking into cliffords performance for some other updgrades but I really want to know without turbo or NOS what kind of horsepower and torque I can squeeze out of this 292. Maybe let me know what some of you guys have on your I-6s and what kind of HP your squeezing out.

[70C10FI]

I think a I6 done up right would be super cool... but only those who "know" will think so. I took out a 292 to put in my FI 350... anyone want a 292??

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 70C10FI

I think a I6 done up right would be super cool... but only those who "know" will think so. I took out a 292 to put in my FI 350... anyone want a 292??

I might be tempted to take it off your hands. I will have to calculate what a road trip from Tucson to Colorado would burn in gas. That might be a dealkiller these days.

lpaine -- here's the listed weights for this vintage GM engines:
250 L6: 430 Lbs
SBC V8: 530 "
235 L6: 635 " [pre- '62]
292 L6: 457 "
454 V8: ???

[shifty]

i'm pretter sure that inline has more torque (e.g. "get up and go") than a 350 SBC. it just costs more to build up. inline is also easier to work on, but harder to find inexpensive performance parts. all it takes is a solid tranny behind it and that inline will really surprise you.

[samwise68]

your best bet would be to get the Inliners Bible, aka, Leo Santucci's book. alot of the info is kinda radical, but it can be applied on a more moderate scale easily.

also, get to www.inliners.org, any and every kind of straight 6 you can imagine. and alot of guys who specialize in the L22 series of chevys.

if you want a driver, i'd go for a Offenhauser intake, instead of a Clifford, which is more for top end performance. the smaller runner size on the Offy will help your low end torque, which is what these inlines are all about.

HP? a guy on inliners with a 292 hopped his up with "040 over, Ported & Polished, 3-2's (progressive carbed intake), 270 Wolverine Cam, Chrome moly rings, fluid dampner, Comp Cams Rockers, synthetic oil, water heated intake, 11" flywheel, and Corvette chambered pipes through 2 1/2" exhaust. My motor dynoed 274HP at the flywheel."

so, thats not too shabby. plus, the torque...of the torque.

keep the six. just my opinion.

my 292 got surface rust and stuck up...so for now i'm dealing with a 307 in my GMC. but, come winter, you better beleive the 292 will get freshened up.

just my two cents.

-Sam.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I say go for the 6. If my truck had a 292, I'd probably keep it in there. (as weird as that seems). Souped 6's are cool, I'd love to have one. They are fairly expensive though.

[bb1979]

Definity ditch the 4 speed granny box and go with the turbo 350, I used to have a 292 in my truck fitted with the granny box, pulled it and dropped in a 350/T400 combo which is now coming out for a 454/T400. My 292 is going into my 1929 Oldsmobile hot rod pickup, as soon as i've rebuilt it and hopped it up. If its a cruizer do what samwise68 says it won't be far behind the V8's. All they need is better carb's, intake, cam, exhaust and good compression to make them get up and go

[70C10FI]

Hey I have some friends in Tuscon that have wanted me to visit for a long time... maybe we could work something out?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 70C10FI

Hey I have some friends in Tuscon that have wanted me to visit for a long time... maybe we could work something out?

Definately!
PM me if you can come down.