I can get a 1 piece seal 2 bolt 350 bare block for $150. The block is in good condition but needs bored as expected. I am not going to use spray and I don't expect crazy power, but I would like to make enough power to beat stock LT1s. So would it be worth it to build it?

 

These blocks will handle quite a bit. 4 bolts aren't really nesessary unless you're spinning ti to the moon. You can safely run NOS, forced induction, or whatever tickles your fancy, just as long as you carefully plan out your rotating assy.

LAtes,
JD

 

Absolutely!!!!

Build it. A 4 bolt is actually very over rated. The best thing they're for is trucks. Due to the pulling that most people do with trucks, it puts a lot of strain on the crankshaft.

A 2 bolt can easily handle ~400HP. And are also good to 6000RPM.

Now if you were going to use a blower or spray, then I would upgrade it by using splayed caps. If you don't know what those are, here's a crappy pic.

Regular 4 bolt ---- !! !! ---- The bolts all go straight in.

Splayed 4 bolt --- /! !\ --- The outter bolts go down into the block at an angle. This distributes the load more evenly on the block, and in turn puts less stress on the bolts.

But that's not needed if you stay ~400HP or less. If you want just a little more piece of mind, then use ARP cap bolts. They have the highest tensil strength as well as the most uniform design and manufacturing than any other company that I know of.

AJ

 

Good to brag about but not necessary.

 

I know lots of people running around with 2-bolts on insanely powerful engines. Some guy around here is running low 11's N/A on an uncapped 2-bolt in his Nova. You could easily get away with 400HP especially if its just a street car that doesn't see over 3500rpm much.

 

Two Words

Build It

 

Have you ever heard anyone say "Damn, if I was a 4-bolt it would have survived!"? I haven't.

 

I have never ever seen a crank fall out on the ground.
4 bolt blocks and steel cranks are not nessessary for a good street motor.
Put the money into good cylinder heads, cam and quality machine work.

 

I have seen a crank fall out on the ground (Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield), but not on a street car and it wasn't because it didn't have four bolt mains. (it was actually a Hemi w/6 bolt caps)
-Nothing wrong with a two bolt 350 block-
If you're not running a 200 hp nitrous shot or a blower, it'll be fine.
Run it.
-Rich-