79 Caprice 350 w/ tranny?
10-04-2010, 10:06 PM
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79 Caprice 350 w/ tranny? My manager may have a motor and tranny I could use but when I heard it was out of a 79, I wasn't excited. I looked this motor up and it only makes about 170hp. It's from a caprice station wagon, so I don't know what tranny is in it, but it's gotta be better than the 2 speed I have now.
So, what is "wrong" with this 350? Can I just pull off the smog stuff I'm assuming is keeping it down, change the heads and cam to start? I'm looking to make around 450 at the wheels.
So, what is "wrong" with this 350? Can I just pull off the smog stuff I'm assuming is keeping it down, change the heads and cam to start? I'm looking to make around 450 at the wheels.
10-05-2010, 07:41 AM
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450 at the wheels is no easy deal! My car runs 11.60's and only put 400 to the wheels. As for the 350, no reason it can't be good (if it was taken care of). Only the block would be useful to you if you are shooting for a 500HP+ motor. It probably has a TH350 transmission. Nothing wrong with them either.
10-05-2010, 08:45 PM
#4
Bear in mind that that 170 rating was routing aLL the exhaust through a single, 2.25" pellet catalytic. Just running true duals will get you over the 200 horse mark.
Your 2-speed has either a 1.76:1 or 1.82:1 first gear, and a 1.00:1 second. The TH350 has a 2.515:1 first, and a 1.515:1 second, with 1.00:1 third.
You'll notice improved acceleration, right from a dead stop on up. It's still not very good, like a 200-4R would be, but it's a step in the right direction.
Congrats on having a '70. The only year of the forged spindles. You can also fit slightly wider wheels in front than '71-'81. But if you're wanting the 12" front rotors from a Police Caprice, or some Caprice wagons, you'll have to remove the forged spindles to install the Caprice spindles.
Add 1.625" long-tube headers, a 204/214-112, 420/442 cam, and a Performer intake, you'll have 270 HP at 4700 rpm, and 350 ft-lbs at 3500 rpm. You should have at least a 3.08:1 axle already, so it should feel very acceptable.
Your 2-speed has either a 1.76:1 or 1.82:1 first gear, and a 1.00:1 second. The TH350 has a 2.515:1 first, and a 1.515:1 second, with 1.00:1 third.
You'll notice improved acceleration, right from a dead stop on up. It's still not very good, like a 200-4R would be, but it's a step in the right direction.
Congrats on having a '70. The only year of the forged spindles. You can also fit slightly wider wheels in front than '71-'81. But if you're wanting the 12" front rotors from a Police Caprice, or some Caprice wagons, you'll have to remove the forged spindles to install the Caprice spindles.
Add 1.625" long-tube headers, a 204/214-112, 420/442 cam, and a Performer intake, you'll have 270 HP at 4700 rpm, and 350 ft-lbs at 3500 rpm. You should have at least a 3.08:1 axle already, so it should feel very acceptable.
