looking for a bit more power any advice?

[HTX86chevy]

OK, first off let me start by saying that there is nothing wrong with the engine that I currently have. it picks up smooth, its fast (90mph), and you would never no the car was on at idle unless i rev it up....... I havent had any issues so far for the 1.5 years that I've owned her. However, It just doesn't have that power that I would like to have. My wife's 5.9 dodge durango 2wd is a beast and I would love for my truck to be somewhat equal to that of its power.

I have a buddy that has a 5.3 LS motor and he swears that it would make all the difference in what im looking for, but I thought that my 5.7 was greater than the 5.3!? am I missing something in this equation?

I have a bone stock 5.7 350 and a th700r tranny . this all came out when i brought up the idea of maybe converting to a stroker. he said that his motor would be better and more affordable...... ANY ADVICE WOULD REALLY BE GREAT.

[N2TRUX]

If the motor is doing what its supposed to be doing, I would look at what gears you have. A change in gear ratio will make a big difference in power if you are under geared.

Beyond that, consider an intake and/or cam upgrade.

[Shawn5488]

I would swap in a 6.0 instead of a 5.3 and yes it would make it run like your wifes car, it will need 3.73 gears though. Good mileage too.

[Pop's C-10]

That 5.9 is rated & about 245..it's not hard to get 245 out of a stock headed 350.valve train & full exhaust update should get you there.

*waits for jus drop a LS crew to weigh in*

[Altec]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

That 5.9 is rated & about 245..it's not hard to get 245 out of a stock headed 350.valve train & full exhaust update should get you there.

*waits for jus drop a LS crew to weigh in*

This setup in one of them fancy computer programs gives 350hp@5000rpm with 393ft/lb@3500rpm. Even saying that is generous numbers, your still looking at a healthy engine...

.030 over 350SB
Flat Top Pistons (9.0:1 Compression Ratio)
1.94/1.5 Valves/Porting
Dual Plane Intake
750CFM Carburetor (Overkill...)
Headers/Mufflers
Lunati Voodoo 268 Camshaft

[HTX86chevy]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

That 5.9 is rated & about 245..it's not hard to get 245 out of a stock headed 350.valve train & full exhaust update should get you there.

*waits for jus drop a LS crew to weigh in*

forgot to mention that I have recently installed full length headers, true dual exhaust w/ 40 series flow master, I didnt notice any more "pep in her step", just made her sound a bit more aggresive.

[Altec]

You won't really notice any performance increase from one of the upgrades. You need all the pieces of the puzzle to see gains. Headers, intake, carb, and cam are the main ingredients. The a good timing, and a HEI tune up kit to set the advance.

[andrewmp6]

If it was me stroker better heads maybe a roots blower depends budget and power you want really.

[jrcaprai]

What is your Budget ?

[HTX86chevy]

i would like to stay under 2k if possible

[HTX86chevy]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If the motor is doing what its supposed to be doing, I would look at what gears you have. A change in gear ratio will make a big difference in power if you are under geared.

Beyond that, consider an intake and/or cam upgrade.

would you happen to know of any good shops in the area that are reasonable/honest?

[mooseknuckles]

a cam and intake would definately help out, and if you can afford it a new set of heads.....my next motor will be an 5.3/6.0 LS!

[HTX86chevy]

I guess , I'll just go the Cam, Intake, and Gear ratio route.... what would be the best cam for my 350? Would I have to replace the Lifters? What about an intake which would be best? Also, if i install an intake would I have to replace my 4 barrel Q-jet?

[Pop's C-10]

For 2k you cam get some vortec's...a performer RPM..Eddy 600...XE 262..colyes double roller timming chain....that will get you to tha level of tha 330hp gm crate with moves a truck well..

[jrcaprai]

Yes you need to replace lifters and Springs...
I would go with Profiler 195cc heads $1295.00 Awesome Heads for the price. Comp CS XE268H-10 or a Lunati Voodoo 60102 and lifters $200. Edelbrock Performer RPM or RPM Airgap $200, Quick Fuel Hot Rod Series 650 CFM Carb $ 404.00 $2104.00 Total
you would probably be 375 - 425 HP

I have a really Clean Edlebrock performer RPM, if interested.

Rear Gears and a Posi will run about 800-1200 installed depending on your area...

http://www.speierracingheads.com/profilerecono.htm

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/QFT-HR-650/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60102LK/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7501/

[PRattenbury]

I agree with the gear ratio idea. That is a cheap mod that'll make a big difference if done right.

[Altec]

Originally Posted by jrcaprai

Yes you need to replace lifters and Springs...
I would go with Profiler 195cc heads $1295.00 Awesome Heads for the price. Comp CS XE268H-10 or a Lunati Voodoo 60102 and lifters $200. Edelbrock Performer RPM or RPM Airgap $200, Quick Fuel Hot Rod Series 650 CFM Carb $ 404.00 $2104.00 Total
you would probably be 375 - 425 HP

I have a really Clean Edlebrock performer RPM, if interested.

Rear Gears and a Posi will run about 800-1200 installed depending on your area...

http://www.speierracingheads.com/profilerecono.htm

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/QFT-HR-650/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60102LK/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7501/

Wow, $1300 for the pair?

[jrcaprai]

Originally Posted by Altec

Wow, $1300 for the pair?

Yep! I bought a pair of the 210cc

[85Bowtie]

I didn't see anyone mention pistons. You need to select a set of pistons that match your head chamber/cam/compression ratio that you intend on running.

You want a piston at or as close to zero deck as possible. A closed chamber head with a flat top piston at or near zero deck with a ~0.039" gasket will give you good quench and depending on the piston/chamber volume will determine you CR.

In general, when using aluminum heads you can, and are recommended, to run a point higher in CR because so much heat is taken out of the combustion chamber. If you're using the XE268 or whichever cam was mentioned earlier you're going to want ~10:1 CR. That would be similar to ~9:1 in a steel headed engine.

This is if you really want to get into the engine....if you just start slapping on heads and installing cams you might not have a perfected combo.

[jrcaprai]

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

I didn't see anyone mention pistons. You need to select a set of pistons that match your head chamber/cam/compression ratio that you intend on running.

You want a piston at or as close to zero deck as possible. A closed chamber head with a flat top piston at or near zero deck with a ~0.039" gasket will give you good quench and depending on the piston/chamber volume will determine you CR.

In general, when using aluminum heads you can, and are recommended, to run a point higher in CR because so much heat is taken out of the combustion chamber. If you're using the XE268 or whichever cam was mentioned earlier you're going to want ~10:1 CR. That would be similar to ~9:1 in a steel headed engine.

This is if you really want to get into the engine....if you just start slapping on heads and installing cams you might not have a perfected combo.

If he changes pistons, he might as well start from Scratch and build a 383...
If you get a set of 64cc chamber heads, it should put you about 9.5 to 1 Compression, which will be just fine for what you are doing.

He may not have a perfected combo, but it will still run like a raped ape.