A person I know who happens to be a pretty respected, ASE cert. mechanic said that a 350 sbc with just votech head, and a cam, on stock internals, can produce and maintain 350 horsepower . Is it true ?

 

Easily, 1 HP per cu-in is nothing, you don't even need vortec heads for that. The SBC was the first production engine to do that back in the 50s.

 

You don't even need Vortech heads to do that.

 

Yea, 1hp per ci is pretty good.

 

vortec heads can get you around 400-450 horses if you spend $150 on them. They cut the valve guides and use thicker springs to run a hotter cam.

 

but how come cars like the 3rd gens didn't have that much. like my 86 firebird has like 160 hp with a 305 engine. is it the exaust;headers that take it away?

 

Because the 80s was the beginning of EFI. The engineers were still working on balancing horsepower, fuel economy & emissions requirements.

At the same time..... They were working on airflow efficiency with EFI & getting the injectors to atomize the fuel good.

 

and you may be looking at two different power numbers.....remember you lose a lot of ponies from drivetrain loss. Like for example if your motor put out 500 horses on an engine dyno, then you tested the same motor in a car on a vehicle wheel dyno, you might only have 400 horses left.

 

350 rwhp is no joke, that would take over 400 flywheel hp and not something I would say is too easy for a 350. It takes the right parts.

 

100hp per liter is a bit harder to accomplish N/A but possible still