How much HP?

[Darin S]

I was wondering what you guys think about how much HP is enough. "Do you ever have enough"? I am going to get a new crate motor or have mine rebuilt (350) I was thinking around 300hp should be enough. I would like to have enough power so when you stomp on it you will definitely feel it. i am going to keep my turbo 350 and put a mild shift kit in it. thanks for all the great advice.

[rkoz 77]

300 to 350 horse is more than enough to "feel it"....especially with a shift kit of any kind.

[Jim_PA]

I took a ride in a friends truck with the 290 HP GM crate motor, and even at that, it felt pretty good!

[cdowns]

the more power you have the more you feel it in the seat of the pants, especially when you're takin out the wallet to pay the ransom at the pumps

[trkklr77]

if you can break the rear tires loose at 25+ mph youve got enough to have all the fun you want.

[70rs/ss]

Build a mild stroker, it is around the same price as a stocker, get in touch with:

Powerhouse
Bakersfield, CA
661-861-0167

They have 383 kits starting at 400-500 and up and you'll have all the hp and torq(by the way, thats what you "FEEL") 375 hp and well over 400lb/ft torq!!

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ine/index.html

Checky the link to the story on the buildup and the prices, its all there, now just build it, I am!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by cdowns

especially when you're takin out the wallet to pay the ransom at the pumps

A-men, I have around 450hp, but I have 3.08's, scarey huh, she flies
on the open road, but is somewhat of a dog of the line w/ the 35"s, I
only pull down around 10 on the highway, what few times I have tried
to check it, and probably around 8? in the city, should be getting more.

[dirtball]

I would build as much torque and HP as you can afford if it is not your daily driver. You will quickly become numb to whatever power level you have and soon want more( at least I always have). Torque will give you that seat of the pants accelleration you probably want. Increase your cubic inches and enjoy the ride. It will cost more to add power later than to do it now. This is just my personal opinion, I REALLY like to feel accelleration JMHO Brett

[bigjimzlll]

my truck used 5 gallons of fuel(5.75 a gal) to go 12 miles today...what's that??? 2.4 miles to the gallon...talk about paying ransom

[Robznob11]

650 is just right , you can beat the pants off of most and get into the 10s after that its scary and to much like a drag truck. relly 11s are optimal, unless you like a ugly cage in your truck....550 should do you...

[HUEVUDO]

I also have been looking around for a crate or to rebuild my 327. It is a hard hard choice. My dilema is go ahead and get want I want now. I kinda want a nasty big block. But I have two trucks my 67 I really like and it has a 350. My red 68 is the one that has the broken 327. If I buy a crate I was maybe thinking of putting it in the 67 and switching the 350 to the red 68. I dunno hard questions to answer. I cannot have any down time I need atleast one of my trucks to be running at all times. How much have you found that a crate will cost. I called a dealer and he had a new 350 for 2400 dollars in stock a long block.

[Darin S]

Thanks guys, That is exaclly what I was looking for. HUEVODO, your trucks are awsome. I have been looking at crate motors on line and seen them from $1,400 to way up close to $3,000. I did talk to a local shop that all they do is rebuilds and he said he could rebuild mine or one of theres with 280hp and if I have the heads polished it would put me up around 300hp or so. for around $1,300 they warrenty there work for 7yrs or 70,000 miles. but I hear its better to get a crate motor. I am still not to sure which way to go? Thanks Agin Darin

[gmc67swb]

Too much is never enough!! We've had our GM Performance Parts 330hp/350 for a little over a year. No problems thus far. Not even a leak! We're running a Tremec 5spd also, so it's probably not seeing as much wear as a truck without an O/D tranny. It's about to get a small blower for a little more fun. I'll let yall know how the Magnuson does.

[bigblockc10]

Well how much is too much hard to say.
The 72 C10 is pushing close to a 1000HP all motor and after driving it for a few months it seems like I would like more, sure it's a handful but it is way to much fun!!

[Jonce]

Originally Posted by Jim_PA

I took a ride in a friends truck with the 290 HP GM crate motor, and even at that, it felt pretty good!

Sweet - I have a new GM crate 350 HO 330hp/380 ft lbs trq in my '71 but haven't driven it yet. I'm really anxious to get it legal (tail lights, etc.). However, if it's like any other hobby I'm into, more HP the better.

[wibilly]

the more you get the more you want so theres never enough but for a driver build for low rpm torque you will be much happierin more ways than one

[Orange]

You need a big block that cam's so hard baby animals die when you sit at idle and that has enough torque to drag a Mack truck up a hill just in case.

Fit that into the horsepower equation and you should be good.

[Robznob11]

go to gale banks performance and order there twin turbo 383 its pushin plenty of ponys. I went for the bb stroker all motor that has gobbs of tq through the whole rpm band. but if it had it to do over again id go with a 454 small block from hard core engines and ad a procharger. f2-----

[blazerboy72]

Im saving for a twin turbo 408 LS1. I think 750-800 should suit my 2wd just right.

[Jason915]

in a truck it's the torque that makes them fun not peak HP. I would build for all out monster torque and HP will follow. My GMC has a real strong running 350 and its a simple combo

355 (350 .030 overbore)
882 cast cylinder heads with 2.02X1.60 valves no port work just milled .020
CompCam 4X4 cam (smallest one) w/ 1.5 roller tip rockers
Edelbrock EPS intake
Edelbrock 1406 600 cfm carb.
Mallory unilite ingnition
headers

It idles real smooth and has real strong torque it'll beet a new 6.0 Vortec

I would estmate the HP at 285-300 range and peak torque at 360ish but the thing that makes it feel so powerfull is the nice flat torque curve I know it peaks out fast but holds 300+FT LBS across a nice RPM range.

My old combination was a RPM intake and a vette cam it sounded great nice lope at idle and really screamed in the upper RPM's but wouldn't tow anything under 2300 RPM so I swaped the intake and cam and it came alive the extra low end more than made up for the loss of high RPM HP

[MisterMan]

Originally Posted by bigjimzlll

my truck used 5 gallons of fuel(5.75 a gal) to go 12 miles today...what's that??? 2.4 miles to the gallon...talk about paying ransom

YOU GOT A FREAK'N FUEL LEAK!!???

[68Stepbed]

I have the 260 hp 350 crate in my 68. It runs real good with good torque. It has a good seat-of-the-pants feel, but I want more. Two key factors are a flat torque curve and the right gearing. Also make sure all your parts are compatible and work well together. My dad has the 330hp 350H.O. crate in his 87 Monte Carlo SS. It runs like a scalded hound, very well built engine, but I just don't like the centerbolt VC's in older vehicles.

Check out the 330 EconoCruzer from these guys. www.jonbarrett.com

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

I have the 260 hp 350 crate in my 68. It runs real good with good torque. It has a good seat-of-the-pants feel, but I want more. Two key factors are a flat torque curve and the right gearing. Also make sure all your parts are compatible and work well together. My dad has the 330hp 350H.O. crate in his 87 Monte Carlo SS. It runs like a scalded hound, very well built engine, but I just don't like the centerbolt VC's in older vehicles.

Check out the 330 EconoCruzer from these guys. www.jonbarrett.com

Hey, I have the same one in my K5. I haven't started it yet but I cant' wait. If it doesn't have enough power a cam swap will be in order (sucks, cuz it voids warranty). I heard somewhere that the heads are decent castings on these crate motors, does anybody know anything about them?

[bskylerj]

Originally Posted by bigblockc10

Well how much is too much hard to say.
The 72 C10 is pushing close to a 1000HP all motor and after driving it for a few months it seems like I would like more, sure it's a handful but it is way to much fun!!

I know exactly what you are saying. I have a supercharged big block that is around 700hp and now that have 228 miles on it I am thinking about adding more boost. Like bigjimzlll I am only getting around 4 miles to the gallon. But can you really put a price on this much fun. I can get the tires to break loose at 45 - 50 mph. The 20's do ot get much traction.

[Radman]

I agree with orange!!! You need to be able to scare small children and make car alarms go off when you pass by!!! If you want fuel milage buy a honda !!!! Want fun, do up a big block with as many cubes and hp you can afford and then tie up to a overdrive tranny. "There is no replacement for displacement!!
But hey, i run a cammed up 496bbc