LURCHBIOTCH

Okay so here is what I am building.

I have a Chevy 350 .030 4 bolt main block

I have a set of 062 vortec heads. 64cc

I am trying to make something in the 350-400 range but I want something that will run on 87 octane what do you guys think? I was looking at a kit such as this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FE...0/?image=large

It says 9.35:1 with 64cc head. Will that burn 87 adequately?

Its going in a daily driver jeep with a SM465 chevy heavy duty trans.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

Brian

HotRodder1987

It's gonna be hard to build a 355 to run on pump gas and also make that kind of power. Those vortec heads are pretty good heads up to a certain point. I have a 350 that has right around your compression and it hates 87 octane. To have a 350 making that power you're more than likely going to have to run good gas and it's probably not going to be a motor you will want to drive daily. 285-315 hp would probably be a better figure to shoot for. Good luck

LURCHBIOTCH

Okay so what am I gonna need to run for gas? 89? 92? What could I expect to be able to achieve HP and torque wise with the more expensive gas?

What about if I added a thicker head gasket would that lower the compression enough and not sacrifice too much power?

THanks Guys I appreciate your input!

HotRodder1987

Yes you will more than likely need to run premium depending on compression. To get 350 to 400 hp you will probably need around 9.5:1 to 10:1 depending on cam, heads, etc. If you really want a motor with that much power to drive every day you might look into a LS motor (LS1, LS2, 5.3, etc). And to answer your question yes a thicker head gasket will lower your compression and so will a larger duration cam, but you need to match all your parts to get the most out of your motor. 400 hp out of a daily driven first gen small block might not be the best idea but good luck with whatever you do.

LURCHBIOTCH

Yeah well the more I read and the more I think about it I should prob be looking in the 300-325 range. I am just not sure what to do to tone it down. I mean I have the 64cc heads I dont reallly want to go out and buy another pair.

HotRodder1987

well what pistons are you running.? 64 cc are higher compression heads with the right pistons but can be very streetable also. 300-325 hp sounds pretty good and I think you would like that much better for your application. for todays unleaded gas, you will probably want to look in the 8.5:1 or 8.75:1 range to run 87 and have good advance without your valves rattling. your vortec heads, about a 268 duration cam, dual plane intake, headers, and good HEI should have you running pretty well. hope this helps good luck

LURCHBIOTCH

I have yet to determine what pistons to use. I was basically asking everyone on the forum what they think I should invest in. Like I said earlier when I looked at a rebuild kit it said the flat tops pistons were 9.36:1 with 64cc heads and the dish were 9.67:1 with 64cc heads. I thought that didnt make much sense. Can anyone explain?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Well, i just built a 355 last week, it has:

.030 flat top 4v reliefs TRW forged

Stock rods with ARP bolts resized

stock crank balanced

Stock vortec 062s with bigger springs for lift with guides cut, studded with guide plates

performer intake

OE roller lifters

Elgin cam with 230/230 @.050 with .480/.480 lift on 108 LSA

1.5 int and 1.6 exh crower roller rockers


It needs a stall, but on a roll in the 86 trans am it is in with 3.07 gears and 700R4, it pulled my 95 Z28 on the big end with no trouble with 311 RWHP and 350 TQ from the 95 Z, T56 and 3.23 gears.

Not bad, makes about 9.7 to 1 comp, runs on 89 octane.