How much HP do I need for easy passing at 60mph?

[69 longhorn]

Originally Posted by Beatcoaster

The main problem is that it just sits in my driveway and collects mold. I have finished the interior and paint and just want the damn thing running and movable. I have a 2010 YZ450F that is sitting in my garage begging to be ridden, but doesn't have a truck to take it over the mountains ...

It is truly budget driven at this point and I want/need it up and running by late spring so I don't have much more time/money to save. I have about $4000 now that I can spend on the engine and tranny combo, and this is full turnkey, as everything currently is 40 year old scrap and I don't trust it one second on our 4 hour trips to our property. A new 450hp handling PA TH350 tranny with converter/fluid/dipstick is going to run me about $1000 so that leaves around $3000 for an engine. For about that, I could order the 310hp/360ft-lb Blueprint 355 from Jegs for $3200 with almost all the bolt ons and call it a day - but second guess that decision as I think it might not be enough. A 700R4/200R4 that can handle 400-450hp is going to blow my budget out of the water and leave me with nothing for an engine, as I would need to swap gears at the same time or just be lugging any engine I put in it - I would love to but my budget says "nope". Another thing I need to factor in is gas mileage, which changes this whole equation. It is about 250miles door to door, so a gas miser Edelbrock 1406 strapped to a 355 might be the best bet there, although my uncle gets 14-16 with his 383...so who knows...too many options to consider and ideas to weigh...

What do you really want.....a hard pullin hauler/with decent mileage, or a hotrod? You sure dont need a trans to handle 450 HP on a hauler, or need 450 HP on a hauler. Its all about tork & gears on a hauler(already mentioned in the above threads). HP sells engines for the shop....but TORK is what scoots that truck down the road IMHO, a good built 383(300-325 hp, with 400 ft lbs + on the tork) will show you some damn good things. If thats not enough, toss the 3.07 gears for a set of 3.42's. Best of both worlds on the gear, she will jump out nice in town, but not rev too deep on the hyway. Overdrive is nice, but overpriced! My old longhorn runs an Edelbrock topped 383, 6spd Richmond, backed with 3.42 gears. the old truck will cruise 105 mph@ 3100 on the tach in overdrive(or about 2200 @ legal hyway speeds). Still in 5th gear, she dont run over 3000 @ 70 or 72 mph. Hope that helps a bit, crazyAL