I need advice on my next setup..
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
I need advice on my next setup.. I want to go 397ci and Turbo, but my girl thinks I should boost my current shortblock and when it goes I should build another one.. Basically, she wants me to get my moneys worth out of the current forged bottom end first.. Just to give you a run down of my current shortblock.. I have JE pistons with 2cc valve reliefs, ARP Bolts, and stock GM rods.. I know Harlan has put 12psi on his old stock shortblock with no problems.. That was on race gas.. This was with stock compression as well. I am thinking of dropping the compression to below 9.5:1 and putting 12lbs through the shortblock on race gas and drive around with 9lbs on pump gas.. I am going with FM Stage III 6.0L heads to drop my compression.. I am going to have Futral build me a custom single turbo kit using the T-76.. Harlan made I think 586rwhp out of a stock 346ci. I was hoping to get over 600rwhp with a H/C forged setup.. Will my current shortblock work or should I just upgrade to a fully built 397ci now..
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. If you want to put a new motor in it, I'd sell the old one instead of beating it to death. Think about it, used forged bottom end... worth 2K or so...broken pile of twisted metal... worth nothing. If you can get a few bucks out of it thats all the more money towards your new engine. Thats the advice I was given and oh god how I wish I would have followed it.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
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From: Valrico, Florida
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. So two for selling my current bottom end and building a new one.. One of my friends told me to just put some forged rods in and be done with it.. I am kind of curious of if my current shortblock could take a little over 600rwhp on race gas.. My gut says go with the 397ci. It would take me longer to get it if I have to sell my current shortblock, but it would be worth the wait..
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. Some very good ideas here, what does Allan suggest?
I think it may boil down to the age old question how much do you want to spend TOTAL and how much rwhp do you want TOTAL (not now but when you are done with the planned mods).
I'll reply to your email as well.
I think it may boil down to the age old question how much do you want to spend TOTAL and how much rwhp do you want TOTAL (not now but when you are done with the planned mods).
I'll reply to your email as well.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. You are right John.. Allan suggested I go for the gusto and let him worry about putting down the crazy #'s. Your email mentioned supercharging, but I keep hearing people say a turbo of equal horsepower would be faster because the turbo would have more tq.. I was also told that a turbo would need less boost to produce the same horsepower as the supercharger. I was also told with a turbo I would have more horsepower under the curve..
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TECH Senior Member
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Re: I need advice on my next setup.. Why not send your heads to TEA and have them do the blower port on them? 9.5:1 compression. With a big intercooler and turbo setup you could run 600RWHP no problem on racegas.
rpm is what kills rods, as long as you have good rodbolts you are fine. Keep your revs under 6600rpms and your all set. I think 500+RWHP on 7-9#'s will be no problem at all on pump gas
rpm is what kills rods, as long as you have good rodbolts you are fine. Keep your revs under 6600rpms and your all set. I think 500+RWHP on 7-9#'s will be no problem at all on pump gas
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Bellingham, WA
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. I personally think go with the 397. What are your total power wants for the engine? Are you wanting an all out engine or just 600rw?
I just think with a big bore setup that your heads being able to be unshrouded will shine even more with the larger bore, and open up even more hp down the road.
Steven
I just think with a big bore setup that your heads being able to be unshrouded will shine even more with the larger bore, and open up even more hp down the road.
Steven
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Valrico, Florida
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. I guess I want to plan for the future as well.. Some say I should just up the boost on the 346ci.. I am getting people saying I should just go with a D1-SC and run 12 to 15lbs of boost and a 100 nitrous shot..
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 140
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From: Tampa
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. Vinnie, those cars with boost and spray are awfully hard to beat...
I vote for the 397, and though you had a very bad experience with the spray, just think--how much could you spray a 397?? What is the hp ceiling with the 397 that Allan is directing you towards? Will you be satisified with "just" 600 rwhp?
A blown and juiced 397 would be hard to beat around these parts..."must be nice".
I vote for the 397, and though you had a very bad experience with the spray, just think--how much could you spray a 397?? What is the hp ceiling with the 397 that Allan is directing you towards? Will you be satisified with "just" 600 rwhp?
A blown and juiced 397 would be hard to beat around these parts..."must be nice".
TECH Fanatic
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From: Centrifugal City
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. I'd keep the current motor and drop the compression with the heads. Add boost as needed. I think you'll be fine and will just lose traction with the 397 if anything.
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. if you already have a forged bottom end, stay with that and get some nice ported 6.0 liter heads to drop the compression. Doesn't make sense to spend more money if you already have a built bottom end.
I don't know what Supras you're looking to run on top end but I think you might need more than 600 hp.
Go as far as you can with your existing setup then when that fails go with a built iron block.
I don't know what Supras you're looking to run on top end but I think you might need more than 600 hp.
Go as far as you can with your existing setup then when that fails go with a built iron block.
7 Second Club
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From: Grove City Ohio/Port Washington L.I sometimes
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. Vince,Chris has given the best advice so far IMO.The thought of 2 power adders would make me nervous.I say factory block good rods and pistons with ARP fasteners.Add a QMP upgraded turbo kit,and you should have no problems getting where you want to be.
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. Vince I agree with your buddy that said just put rods in the shortblock you have now. 6.0 heads to get the compression down would be a good idea too. Turbo's are awsome, but it seems to me there are more proven blower setups right now. I'm sure that's changing as we speak. Throw a D-1 on it and let it eat. 
Bruce
Bruce
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,259
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From: Valrico, Florida
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. So many good suggestions. I guess I have to decide what power level I want to be.. If I want to exceed 650rwhp I think putting rods in or going to the 397ci would be the answer.. If I stay below 650rwhp I think my current shortblock would hold as long as I keep the rpms down.. This is basically what I am hearing from you guys as well.. I wish we had more fast forced induction setups.. I care ONLY about mph.. The cars I want to beat trap high mph.. I like Harlans setup, but there is a STREET Supra in my area that traps higher than him.. I personally think if I want to trap that high and have room to grow I would need more cubes.. I also have no problem pushing my current shortblock to close to its limits till it goes and then going bigger.. I use my current shortblock I am going to send the money off for the heads next month. If I go bigger now I am just going to wait till I have enough for 3/4ths the longblock and send Futral Motorsports the doe to get started. Decisions, decisions..
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 553
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From: Columbia, MD
Re: I need advice on my next setup.. I just kept the stock 346ci block. But I had them rebuild all of the internals except the crank. It should be more than enough for all of the ~600rwhp I plan on putting down to the ground, which is cool with me. 
I'm not trying to be the fastest in the world. Just in my town. 
Good luck on whatever you decide to go with.
I'm not trying to be the fastest in the world. Just in my town. Good luck on whatever you decide to go with.