Hey guys,

I'm trying to put together a parts list, and I need a little bit of help.

As you know, I'm doing a 350 swap to my RS, with a built T56 behind it on a Ford 9" rear.

I'm going with a pair of 52mm turbos, all the necessities.

What I need your help with is which part(s) should I go with in each category:

Carb/TPI set up (leaning towards a blow-through carb)

Intake

Heads

Valvetrain

Forged Rotating Assembly

Cam

Turbos (about 52mm's)

BOV's

I/C

I am probably missing a bunch of stuff, but I'm hoping y'all can help me out. Thanks!

 

I'm not going to be a lot of help, but I'd delete the 9" and add an S60.

 

Don't know what am S60 is lol

 

http://www.strangeengineering.net/index.html

Click on "Bolt-in Strange Housings", then the bottom line in blue on the left side of that page.

Page 75-76

 

Nice, but I'm not seeing a standard price, just what it costs for the options... lol

 

Look under "Strange Fully Set-Up S60 Bolt Rear End (82-02) w/Torque Arm Provision"

*PRSF05 Fully assembled S60 rear end (less brakes). The fully assembled rear end features 3.150” ID housing ends, 35-spline
Strange Alloy Axles, 1/2” or M12 X 1.5 studs, 35-spline StrangeTrac, U1600 S-Series yoke (1350), u-bolts, chrome cover , standard
gear set and Lucas oil (pkg.).....$2,349 *(1) Aftermarket torque arms may have to be modified. (2) Stock length driveshaft
must be replaced or modified.

 

What does Strange do better that sets them apart from Currie or Moser?

 

Forged rotating assembly-Howards.

www.CompetitionProducts.com

You'll have to call them and tell the tech dept what your doing with turbos so they can package a rotating assembly with the dish pistons.

Sounds like a very aggressive turbo build.Do you have experience with turbo's??.

Lately I am haunted with the fact of advising guys about first gen engines,if they wouldn't be better off with a newer version LSx engines.I hope or maybe I should be sure you have read about the great success guys have had with them and especially with them and turbos.Now that LSx's have been around for 14 yrs the cost of a donor vehicle has gone down to a affordable level.

Is this a "open book build"??.

 

The S60 is a Dana 60 based rear, modified to fit the application. Much stronger and more efficient than a 9", but does weigh a little more.

 

I'm starting the shopping process for a new rear axle too.
What's missing with this Strange S60? Seems quite inexpensive when compared to their 12-bolt or a Moser 9". At least in this preliminary stage. Is a "StrangeTrac" their version of the TruTrac?

 

Need to figure out what power goals you are looking and rpm range that jives with the turbos. That will get you an idea what bottom end and even top end to build. Twin 52's will make for an awesome street combo and 600 whp or so. Should spool well and really perform. For that much power i would do a typical 180-195cc aluminum head and mild 218-224 type hyd roller cam. Somewhere in that range. Skip tpi go single plane efi or similar with 90 deg elbow. Should have good distribution that way. If efi that is. Then you need to figure how you will control it. Stock harness for 730 speed density running code $59 is cheapest but requires alot of work and you are on your own for tuning, save for few members here that can offer advice. Else go aftermarket which will add 1500-2500 to the build.

If you only run like 350-450 whp or so, an fmu like used it most supercharger kits could work but i dont like them as much as true map based tuning. Also wouldnt need big aftermarket heads could use stock vortec type setups or mild ported L98's.

Else carb single plane blow thru. Fairly straight forward, can buy a carb setup for it from several shops out there or modify one using hangar 18 website instructions.

 

Yes. This is my first turbo'd car, but not my first turbo build. I've got more experience on Mustangs (yuck) and am more fluent with Ford parts, I don't know who makes the parts I need for Chevy, which is why I'm asking for help putting together a parts list. I do know what kind of parts I need though, but like I said, I don't know who all makes 'em.

And I should rephrase that. I know who makes some high-end, pretty penny parts, but I'm looking for an affordable build, so I'm looking for the lowest-cost, quality parts. I'm not looking for cheap.

I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on the block. I've got a lead on one for $350 with a semi-fresh rebuild (60k on rebuild, buying from a buddy) and that is going to get transplanted with some forged rotating assembly.

I'm looking for around 600-650 for now, and a buddy of mine thinks I can push that out of a stock block on forged internals. But I'm taking it nice and slow.

 

Should beable to do that on forged internals and stock block. 4 bolt main would help for certain.

Set of dart shp or jegs brand heads are very cost effective and will help reach your goal with least amount of boost

 

I was thinking around 15-18 psi, and I'm pretty sure a forged bottom-end should be able to handle that.
So I'm getting suggestions for a Howard's forged rotating assembly, some Dart SHP's. Who makes a good blow-through carb in the 750cfm range?

 

C and S specialties, csu, pro systems, and several others all make goood blow thru carbs

 

Sweet. Now I was suggested to go with a .550" lift on the cam, that similar to a 218-224 grind characteristic?

 

Anything in that range will work. Comp, lunati, gm have cams like that will work fine.

 

Alright cool. Ugh, I'm hoping this car goes together without a major hitch. lol. I can see I'll be already spending about 1300 on a rotating assembly. Gotta look into heads. Now, suggestions for an intake?

 

Single plane style for best distribution

 

Okay, ya got a brand of choice? lol

 

Not really. Being small cubed you dont want one thats designed for larger cube motors or super high rpms. Basic victor jr type. Smaller runners and plenum to keep driveability up

 

Well, I'm being fed some bs from somebody. I'm getting told by some other car guys that my plans aren't going to count for ****.

 

How so? Not make the power or what? 600 hp is a walk in the park

 

It's all over the place. A 1st gen 350 ain't gonna make **** for power for what I'm doing with it, I guess. Then someone else tells me, not you, that it'll make power fine, and yeah...

I don't trust 'em all, per se, this is my first solo build.

 

It will make power. May cost alittle more than a 5.3l truck takeout with boost but you will be happy

 

That's all I'm hoping for. I honestly fail to where it's going to be a problem, especially if I use some good flowing heads.

 

Decent head and cam with efficient hotside exhaust and it will make power. Turbo setups seem to be pretty forgiving on milder setups

 

Well, what I'm actually thinking about doing now is just putting the 350 in thecar with the T56 behind it, then save up for an LSX swap

 

I know a lot of guys doing 4.8-5.3 ls truck motors and easily making 500-600 whp with no changes to the motor. Some go thru and clean them good, do new bearings and open up ring gap and have pushed 750-800 whp

 

Yeah I know they can be built pretty powerful on stock internals.

 

Read the whole thread again.The part of who to believe I want to touch on.I've been on forums like this for a very long time.And I have been involved in a part ownership of a business in the sale of refurbished high performance SBC parts and the sale of overstock parts and the engine building of the same.I do think and seriously believe there is a responsibility a person has to take when giving advise on the web.I mean once you give it,you own it forever.That well beyond just you and this thread,due to search engines some guy might find it yrs from now and if it is bad advise use it,then having to deal with the consequences.For me,I take on that responsibility as seriously as if it where one of our customers in my business.

Now you have had two of the best on this forum provide you with very good advise.Well really three when you count me.57 and Orr.When I saw you wanting to go turbo,I PM'ed Orr to give him a heads up so he given his experience in turbos would chime in.I have read over a very longtime threads on this forum and there is a select group of guys who's advise is dead spot on the money.They know what they are talking about.And with 57,not only does he have to offer a background in the rear ends,but also in LSx engines.

I said early on in this thread I am haunted by giving advise with gen 1 sbc's when for the investment a LSx would be better money spent and even better when you talk about a turbo.And I do stand behind Howards rotating assemblies.The thing is after you bought a Howards deal,you could be well on your way to a LSx engine.Those,as told to you,don't need the forged deals,but it wouldn't hurt to have it.But really don't need them.

So I am saying your best money spent is to get a LSx.That is my advise to you.

 

I would like to clarify that in no way, shape, or form did I think you guys were feeding me bull. Everyone here loves these cars, so why would they feed horrid, unreliable advice when it comes to doing this kind of build with one of our cars? No, it wasn't you guys, I trust all of you completely.

That being said, I'll put this motor in the car since I'm only getting it for $350, 60k on rebuild so I can at least drive it while I get my parts together for an LS1. Of course, there will be a T56 behind that 350 first, lol.

Guys, I really do appreciate it. You have been a lot of help.

 

You could still turbo it and use it for a learning experience and then wait til you can get a lsx for more power. Leave the sbc cheap and on a budget and give it few psi. Get used to the added power and maintenance that comes with turbos. You still could get a healthy setup on stockish motors with boost. Zz3astro did just that

Keep in mind a t56 for sbc wont work on lsx without changing input shaft i believe

 

If that's the case I might just keep the Camaro down, forget about the 350 and go straight LS.

 

Completely understand Orr's suggestion giving you some experience.It certainly does have tons of merit.But you do have a excellent idea going directly for the Lsx engine swap and applying the money directly towards that.Any swap you would make other than one for the LSx engine would take money away from the LSx.The guys on here can walk you through the LSx deal.I suggest if you haven't yet to start reading the posts in the LSx section to take a peak in there.I'll be setting in the cheap seats looking for a thread from you about the build in that section.Again,I do think your making a good move.

 

Thank you. This car is going to be a street monster.

 

Yeah its hard to beat the bang for buck a newer truck 4.8-6.0 motor can provide for boost. Compression is perfect and they tend to be very stout with good tuning.

Keep it efi and find a good tuner, you will have a 10 sec car for little investment.

That 350 sbc could work too but to really get good power out of it you need heads and cam. Thats more money. Else you have to run much more boost and have to cool the air down more. I prefer less boost and more head/cam to make power. Less boost is easier to seal intake and couplers on cold side and less heat into the air charge

 

Where could I typically find one of these motors

 

Local ads and junk yards mainly. Could even ship them in from other yards if none locally but that would defeat the purpose of budget motors lol

 

Look under "Strange Fully Set-Up S60 Bolt Rear End (82-02) w/Torque Arm Provision"

 

Here is a listing web site for junk yards.You plug in your zip code and the make,model and yr you want,then select the part you want-engine.

www.car-parts.com

 

Thank you! Yeah, shipping the motor would defeat the purpose. lol Well, off to more research.