Eliminating Engine HP Loss

[C20-67_N_MO]

I've got a SBC 383 that I'll be putting my 1970 Chevy SWB P/U. My question is, is it worth the extra costs involved using an electric water pump, mini super alternator, manual steering box, and electric fan?

Not sure the total Horsepower savings but for a street truck it may not matter. I'd rather spend the money towards more horsepower than the savings of it if need be.

What do you guys think?

[vin63]

It depends on the type of racing you'll be doing and how much. I ran Super Gas/Street for a long time and I would say that it was very necessary for me to maintain consistency. But, I also had the time in the pits to recharge my batteries and run the fans and water pump while the engine was off between rounds to cool it, which helped me to ensure I was at my target water temperature for each run.

[BigDan3131]

I have dual electric fans that aren't wired to be on full time or by thermostat. Anytime I'm at a steady speed over 40 you don't really need them. Electric water pumps will eventually need to be rebuild that's why I have an aluminum one from Stewart. I already have manual steering and if its cost effective at the time I will go power.

I would concentrate on removing weight. Aluminum heads, water pump and radiator. Then a glass hood, glass doors if they offer a model you can put glass in for street driving. Put your battery in the rear. Gas tank too and switch to aluminum rims. Shaving off the weight acts like your adding HP by allowing the weight to shift easier for drag racing. One of the biggest power losses comes from the transmission if its an auto. So if you have a turbo 400 behind a motor making 600HP its more like 565HP because it the 400 eats up 35HP to turn it.

There are just too many variables to list here.

[Super73]

Going from power steering to manual I lost 25lbs off my truck. More importantly it was off the nose. Did I gain power, not sure. The weight of the nose was way more important that the 5hp I might have seen.

With that said, when I went to a single plain intake from a LS6 intake, I also swapped to an electric water pump. My rwhp numbers went from 410rwhp to 430rwhp. I honestly contribute most of that to the intake swap as it pulled an extra 400rpm utilizing the already higher rpm TQ peak / carry a big cam usually provides.

As mentioned above, the EWP is nice to keep things cool between passes at the track. Is there a HP advantage, many will argue minimal.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

If anything get an aluminum water pump and a mini starter to drop some weight. Aluminum heads and one of those fancy aluminum holleys will drop weight. I've had my power steering off for a while and daily drove it like that just fine.

Less weight is like having more hp. General rule is 100lbs is about equal to gaining 10hp = to 1/10th in the 1/4 mile...theoretically although losing weight up front will help launch so your getting double benefits.
The later 80s trucks have aluminum master cylinders which are 5lbs lighter already.
Also when's the last time you picked up a factory driveshaft? Damn things are like 35lbs a custom aluminum driveshaft is maybe 8lbs. And that will bet you more rwhp just through efficiency. Optimizing your pinion angle is free hp as well

Comp cams also make some nice entry level full roller rockers if you don't already have some. A one inch phenolic tapered carb spacer off eBay is a good hp boost and also a good bang for the buck. I've felt gains with swapping my typical drop base air cleaner to a raduised based with a k&n stubstack.

Also optimizing exhaust. An h pipe will net you gains for pretty cheap if you don't already have one. Setting your timing curve and super tuning your carb with an A/F meter will net HP efficiency as well. Doing all this can very easily net you 50hp gains just through making everything optimized. When you tune at the track (very good idea for data logging) make one change at a time and note the changes.

[gofastnut]

Also, things like crank scraper and/or windage tray and lifter valley baffle can give you a few extra ponies for not too much $. Also, a lighter fuel pump pushrod.
The mini alt, I don't know about, but the water pump and lightening the body/frame are all very good ideas.