top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?

[erikoj]

Hello gentlemen , I have read many of these threads about how to boost the output of a stock 350. I'm trying to wake up my 1972 K10 a little without going whole hog. I'd like to hear what most of you think is the order of operations for getting a little boost out of an off the shelf bone stock truck. I'm not looking for a racer , just a bit more umph out of my daily driver.

[1972RedNeck]

1) Headers
2) Cam
3) Intake
4) Heads
5) Pistons/
6) Crank

[Grumpy old man]

^^^ There you go ...that looks like a rebuild . drop an RV cam in it and be done .

[custom10nut]

A tune up, and fresh oil do wonders for an engine. Another is an HEI distributor.

[gvw5400]

Dual exhaust and take out the restrictors under the rams horn manifolds and the new pipes. On my truck they necked down to 1.625" on one side and 1.5" on the other.
GM really made a cheap way to make the exhaust heat cross over function without
the cost of an actual heat riser valve!
All The Best, Dirk

[rsgt]

An open element air cleaner or flip over the stock lid. Yes HEI recurve the distributor, advance the timing. Go with full vacuum for your distributor.

[Steven R]

I just had my 350 on the dyno, 20 over flat top pistons other than that all stock. it was rebuilt 30000 miles ago by PO. I cleaned it and put all new gaskets in. Ram horns and y pipe to a 2.5inch. with HEI dis, rebuilt quadrajet.

we got 170 hp 301 ft lb @ 10 deg, at frist
reset timing and best

we got 181.1 hp and 312 ft lb @ 12 deg

that was the best it was willing to do after many different timing settings.

then we put on headers and retested

we got 188.6 hp 321.7 ft lb at 12 deg

so for me adding headers will be on the list to wake this thing up alittle.

[garyd1961]

A good aluminum intake and Holley 4 barrel, HEI distributor, long tube headers and 2 1/2 inch exhaust. Along with new wires and plugs this is about the best you can do without going into the motor.
If you want to go into the motor a bigger cam and vortec heads would add a lot more power.

[davischevy]

Roller rockers will free it up some too.

I have quit using headers because for me the maintenance is more trouble than its worth. We just took two sets off.

[1972RedNeck]

If not using headers, 2 1/2" ram horns would be the next best option.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by 1972redneck

if not using headers, 2 1/2" ram horns would be the next best option.

x2

[68Stepbed]

Edelbrock Performer EPS intake
500 Holley 2 barrel
HEI ignition, new plugs and low impedence wires(I like Taylor wires)
Headers or some better flowing manifolds and 2 1/4 or 2 1/2" dual exhaust
Set initial timing at 12deg BTDC

Those are the "top 5" that you asked for.

[D.PASSMORE]

Stock 350 wake up is in the top end, CAM, intake manifold, Carb or EFI (correct Fuel to Air setting) Ignition (dizzy, wires, plugs) with maximum timing and dual exhaust system. Your intent is to make the motor breath fast and easy.

[Knight72]

I saved this article a while back as a rough plan on how to increase my hp on a goodwrench 350 I'm installing in my truck. Has some pretty good info from basic bolt ons to some more involved upgrades.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/463...-engine-build/

[GASoline71]

If it has 200,000 plus miles on a 40 year old stock engine... then it's all a waste of time and money.

Gary

[boostedc10]

LS swap it. A stock 4.8L will make more power than most the mods suggested.

[Boog]

Can you say Nitrous? Quick and easy?

[demian5]

1-4 is kind of a package deal... with 4 as an option if $$ is tight.

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

1) Headers
2) Cam
3) Intake
4) Heads
5) Pistons/
6) Crank

[krcotter]

Here's my opinion...
1.) Ignition - HEI with good wires and plugs
2.) Carburetor - rebuild or replace either way make sure it's functioning at 100%, I replaced my q-jet and went with Edelbrock 1406 and a new intake,
3.) Exhaust - at least do dual pipes, headers can be high maintenance - do your own research and decide what you want in the long run.
4.) Camshaft - with a cam change you really have to know what you want to do with the truck. Race, daily driver, cross country cruiser, or just show off on weekends.
5.) Heads - at this point, it may just be easier to rebuild.
6.) Gears - transmission or rear end - depends on your finished goal

[erikoj]

Gentlemen , thanks for the thoughtful responses. Ironically I have a 2006 ls 4.8 with 88000 miles on it that I have owned since new and run with synthetic oil. It's in a truck that has rusted and been dented, so the sale value is low. I would love to put that into it but it'd be more work than I might be capable of. Free 4.8 and a full donor vehicle but not enough knowledge to put one in. It seems like a daunting project for a weekend mechanic. That would be nicer than my old tired 350!

[cblock]

I would say go to HEI ignition, a proper tune-up and get the carb rebuilt and set right and something to the exhaust will do wonders and it won't break the bank. If you want it as a daily driver I would recommend a 700r4 tranny, it's got a lower first gear and an overdrive for freeway speeds. My 2 cents.

[boostedc10]

Originally Posted by erikoj

Gentlemen , thanks for the thoughtful responses. Ironically I have a 2006 ls 4.8 with 88000 miles on it that I have owned since new and run with synthetic oil. It's in a truck that has rusted and been dented, so the sale value is low. I would love to put that into it but it'd be more work than I might be capable of. Free 4.8 and a full donor vehicle but not enough knowledge to put one in. It seems like a daunting project for a weekend mechanic. That would be nicer than my old tired 350!

With all the swap parts out there these days it take very little knowledge to do one. There are enough people and threads on these forums to help you through whatever you run into. Having a whole truck available sure makes it a lot easier!

[Boog]

erikoj if you haven't already you should do some reading down in the LS swap forum and get a feel for what all is involved with an LS swap as well as the costs.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=206

[graymond1967]

Things I did to wake up my old 350.

1) MSD distributer with 6a box. Replaced HEI. Engine ran better.
2) Holley Street Avenger 670.
3) Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, aluminum.
4) K&N air filter element.
5) New plugs and wires.

Started better, ran better and was more reliable.

Then, I rebuilt the engine, went with 10 to 1 compression, Performer RPM heads, bigger cam, balanced, port matched and then it REALLY woke up.

I am a weekend mechanic. Swapping engines is easier than you think, lots of info on you tube and here. You will need a cherry picker, jack stands, a couple of jacks and a helping hand. Not that hard to do.

ray

[KyleSeal]

The MSD 6AL (rev limiter box) helped my 454 really start up better and I've heard it adds some power. Havent felt a power difference but it sure does drive better. Intake would be a good easy swap, along with cam since youll already be there (with the lifters anyways..) just make sure you dont have to do a spring swap cause then it'll be a little more involved. Hotter plugs, bigger plug wires. I know a lot of companies have a "power package" which may be a good option for you if you don't want to have to find out a good combo.