I have a 73 4x4 and want Hp and torque, help?

[fire120ball]

Too start out this is what I know, I have a 350 with forged pistons, am not aware of the cam size etc, I have edelbrock aluminum heads, am unaware of which heads exactly with the seriel number being on the back side of them, I have edelbrock performer aluminum intake, normal rockers, stock plugs/wires, hooker headers, and a carb spacer, and a 670 Holley Carb.

I want some great torque with hp to be right there, I can do all the work myself, which I have done before but I am 18 am not knowledgeable enough in what cam size etc to throw in and if I should start from a new/old block and go 383 or what. I have a very solid job and want to start throwing some cash at my baby

[Stepper562]

383 stroker man.

[fire120ball]

So just go 383 with what cam, I NEED sound. a very aggresive lope, links would be bad ass info

[Stepper562]

Yep stroke that 350 man, if you want a mean sound with a nice lope go with a Thumper cam...youtube it. Punch in 383 Motherthumper Cam...bunch of vids will come up including the crap thats been done to the motor and numbers. As in HP/TQ numbers.

All depends how deep your pockets are brother.

[Stepper562]

Whats your goal anyway when it comes to HP/TQ? Is it a DD? How streetable do you want it? Do you care about gas milage? Once you figured out those answers it`ll be alot easier.

[fire120ball]

I want it streetable but doesnt have to be comftorable, I have a DD, and I was thinking about 450-500HP, I do not care about mpg

[INSIDIOUS '86]

well where in the rpm range do you want your torque? 450 hp is doable with low end 500 hp cost alot to crack with a sbc and make streetable

x2 on the thumpr

[Meatman]

Do not put a thumper cam in it if you want to make power. You can still get a good sounding cam and make way more power with it over a thumper cam. Spend your money on your heads and put your time in picking out the right cam for your setup.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Meatman

Do not put a thumper cam in it if you want to make power. You can still get a good sounding cam and make way more power with it over a thumper cam. Spend your money on your heads and put your time in picking out the right cam for your setup.

not like you cant make power with the thumpr series just not great for racing because they dont give alot of top end, just meant for streetability such as giving you enough vacuum for brakes with the sound of a huge cam, and keeps your low end, i know cause ive tried all three.


do your research wisely and plan your setup, no to cams are alike and its silly to compare any two the all have a specified purpose, with good planning you will find a good cam to fit in

[N2TRUX]

Before you start spending money on big cams and stroked motors, tell us more about what you have. In your build thread you mention that the PO was running "4.11's in the rear 3.73's up front". Did you ever get that issue resolved? It doesn't matter how much power your motor makes if you have too high of a gear ratio. Regardless of what ratio your running, they have to match front to rear.

What size tires are you running? It looks like you have 35's on it. If so, changing to a lower gear set would really help your torque specs. Once you get it geared properly, then you can make a decision on the cam you need.

If you want solid advice, you need to ask more specific questions. It's easy to get a lot of uneducated replies that sound good in theory. With out knowing what you have, and what your trying to accomplish as an end result, all you will get is random guesses at best.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

agreed times two. as much info as you can give us will help

[fire120ball]

I have 3.73 front and rear now, I have not updated that thread in a very long time. I plan to run different gears, but I would want the motor for torque for four wheeling and I want it to be pretty quick on the street. Currently I have 33's I want to run 35's maybe even 37's eventually, only time will tell. I also plan to upgrade my running gear too a 1-ton. I also have the turbo 300? i'm pretty sure its the 3 speed, eventually would like to upgrade that but you know how it goes...

[Your41Plague12]

You either have a Turbo 350 or Turbo 400. Check and see what the transmission pan looks like. Here's a diagram of the different ones GM made.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

if you go to comp cams website you can download a FREE version of their cam quest software. i have used it and it is pretty close most of the time. try it out

[N2TRUX]

You need to change your gears. Those 3.73's are a great ratio for a 2wd, but not when your running 33's and especially if you go to 35's. What happened to the 4.11's you had? You should have stuck with them or maybe a bit lower.

You should focus on getting your gears to their best potential before worrying about your motor.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You need to change your gears. Those 3.73's are a great ratio for a 2wd, but not when your running 33's and especially if you go to 35's. What happened to the 4.11's you had? You should have stuck with them or maybe a bit lower.

You should focus on getting your gears to their best potential before worrying about your motor.

gears are the first performance upgrade anybody should worry about, also make sure your trans is up to it or you will be fixing that down the road,

[GMC Guy]

build your drivetrain from the back forward. it'll make life a lot easier down the road, and a high torque motor won't go breaking stuff behind it

[fire120ball]

A while back I was thinking about putting 4.56's in, if I run 35's or 37's what ratio will do me the best?