Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
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what should i rev my new crate 350 HO to? recommended 5500...can i go higher?
The GM Performance Parts catalog says that the "maximum recommended engine speed" is 5500rpm for my 330hp crate engine i put in a little while ago. I know that these are usually underrated, but I'm not about to spin 6 grand and watch teh motor fly apart. especially since this is a "low-end" crate engine...maybe they weren't underrating it too much. what do you guys think?
here are some of the important (i think) parts that would make the difference...
*4-bolt main
*PM steel connecting rods
*nodular cast iron crankshaft
*cast aluminum pistons
*vortec heads
what do you guys think?
-brian
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1991 Camaro RS
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Ultra Blue Metallic, T-Tops
GM 350 HO Crate Engine - Vortec Heads, Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake, Holley 670 CFM Throttle Body, Open Air Cleaner w/14"x3" K&N, SLP 1 3/4" Stainless Headers, Edelbrock Victor Series Water Pump, Accell Superstock Wires, Cap, and Rotor, MSD Blaster Coil, Hypertech Fan Switch & Thermomaster Chip, AC Delco Rapidfires, 3" Cat Back, Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler
700R4 - 2,400 Stall Converter, Vette Servo, Shift Kit, B&M Super Cooler
Hey Z28 boy, what times are you running with the 330 HO ?? I was thinking about getting that engine but the nodular iron crank and cast pistons are the only things that I'm worried about....
Well, with my crappy open 2.73 rear end, and a stock chip(!) i am at around 14.3. once i get a decent rear end under it and some traction and get it tuned, i should be at around 13.4-13.6???
-brian
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1991 Camaro RS
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Ultra Blue Metallic, T-Tops
GM 350 HO Crate Engine - Vortec Heads, Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake, Holley 670 CFM Throttle Body, Open Air Cleaner w/14"x3" K&N, SLP 1 3/4" Stainless Headers, Edelbrock Victor Series Water Pump, Accell Superstock Wires, Cap, and Rotor, MSD Blaster Coil, Hypertech Fan Switch & Thermomaster Chip, AC Delco Rapidfires, 3" Cat Back, Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler
700R4 - 2,400 Stall Converter, Vette Servo, Shift Kit, B&M Super Cooler
The bottom end of that motor will go to 7000 all day long. We have run 2 bolt main, cast crank, cast piston motors with a 125 shot of nitrous for years (and run in the 6's in the 1/8 mile or 10's in the 1/4) and never had any problems. The thing is don't rev the motor any farther than it needs to go. In other words if you don't make any power above 5500RPM then there is no reason to take it any higher than that. By over reving the motor you are actually making the car run slower than it would if you shifted in the right place. Pluse the higher you have to rev the motor the shorter the life span of the motor will be.
That's nice to hear, the 350 HO 330hp crate does have a 4-main though instead of the 2-main you mentioned. But I believe you were just making a point on the sturdyness of the engines !?!
what characteristics of valve springs or whatever should i look for for higher rpm use? the heads are the L31 vortec heads.
thatis definitely true about the usable power above 5500 rpm. i never really thought about teh fact that the power curve drops like a rock after 5500. but on teh other hand, im not looking for acceleration past 5500, im just looking for insurance that i wont blow it up.
thanks
-brian
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1991 Camaro RS
----------------------------------------------
Ultra Blue Metallic, T-Tops
GM 350 HO Crate Engine - Vortec Heads, Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake, Holley 670 CFM Throttle Body, Open Air Cleaner w/14"x3" K&N, SLP 1 3/4" Stainless Headers, Edelbrock Victor Series Water Pump, Accell Superstock Wires, Cap, and Rotor, MSD Blaster Coil, Hypertech Fan Switch & Thermomaster Chip, AC Delco Rapidfires, 3" Cat Back, Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler
700R4 - 2,400 Stall Converter, Vette Servo, Shift Kit, B&M Super Cooler
As long as you have the correct springs for your cam you should have no problems. If you put springs on with to much spring pressure you will risk making the cam go flat unless it is a roller cam then that can not happen. any way no matter what you have as long as the parts are matched any 350 is good to 6000 without any problems.
Originally posted by Z28 Boy: The GM Performance Parts catalog says that the "maximum recommended engine speed" is 5500rpm for my 330hp crate engine i put in a little while ago. I know that these are usually underrated, but I'm not about to spin 6 grand and watch teh motor fly apart. especially since this is a "low-end" crate engine...maybe they weren't underrating it too much. what do you guys think?
The Vortech headed 350/330 is a flat tappet cammed engine with stock quality valves. Keep it under 5600 and be happy. Either that or convert to a roller cam, better springs, some higher quality valves.
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Kelly 'GhoSSt' Rosato
1996 Impala SS, 383 LT4 (14.65 up here, 13.24 lower)
1984 Firebird, +.060 350 (Vortech Heads, HOT Cam, and schtuff)
1993 Caprice, 5.7 TBI (stock . . . FOR NOW)
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