(I am also posting this in the Engine Tech section as well)

I am about to start a 355 engine build up for my car have been exploring head options. I have a 350 TPI right now that is getting very tired and want to start fresh. I was wondering if I kept my stock TPI system and went with some aluminum L98 vette heads, a LT4 Hot Cam, 1.6 RR's, and possibly bigger injectors and/or larger throttle body, would I be able to make 300HP or more. I am thinking I might need to port and polish the L98 heads but comparing the cost of going Vortec with the intake needed and getting the heads prepped correctly, im kinda confused on what to put my money into. Anyone have any ideas? The foundation for my build up is a 4 bolt main block, 9.5:1 hyperneutetic pistons, balanced 350 crank, etc. Basically I am trying to get into the 300+HP range on a budget and keeping the TPI system. Something else I was concerned with, what is the max HP a stock torque converter can handle?

 

300 where, flywheel or rear wheels? 300 at the flywheel will be no problem, at the wheels would take some effort. Seems to me Kevin91Z did it. You can get even more out of those heads, but only if you have John Lingenfelter build it

 

300+HP at the flywheel. I know it would be hard to get it at the rear wheels without some major $ and research. I will check out Kevin's combo to see what he has. Anyone know the maz torque or HP a stock torque convertor can handle?

 

I checked out Kevin's setup and he has some $$$ in it. Ported L98 Alum. Heads, TPIS Big Mouth Intake ($420 on TPIS.com) TPIS 52mm TB, SLP Headers, and Lots of suspension mods. Now I am wondering if I should try to go vortec then. He has his numbers on the socal fbody site stating 317HP and 418TQ which are really good numbers but I was hoping to try and get them with my stock intake. Anyone know if this is possible with a stock intake?

 

Thats the same plan I have except im gonna do some major porting, same cam also. But Im gonna do a 383 stroker kit at the same time. Then comes the charger

 

Well right now I have a 350 with a good sized cam and those heads that is putting out more than 256 at the rear wheels, which in theory is 320 at the crank. I never hit the HP peak on the run, so there was more HP than that for sure, dont know how much though. The link to the dyno sheet is here:
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=47263

There is some money in the motor, but theres also more power in it, I know it. I figure with a smaller cam than what I am using and a stock shortblock you could still hit over 300 without any hitches.

Kevin's heads were ported by his dad, and some of the suspension stuff they did so it wasnt as expensive as it may seem. I ported the heads on my car myself, though I think I may have done a couple things wrong looking back at it Eh, I ported them almost 8 years ago so thats ok I suppose.

Stock intake I hit 237 at the wheels, which is around 296ish at the flywheel, pretty close to the 300 you are looking for. Keep in mind too I know theres more in the car than the numbers showed, something isnt quite right.

 

Here I am. With a ported stock TPI intake and a ZZ4 cam, it made 282 RWHP, so thats over 300 HP at the crank. My dad is currently building a vortec headed TPI engine with the ZZ4 cam, it should put 300 HP to the wheels. I bought my TPIS intake pieces used for $400, I got a deal. A lot of my other stuff I got used as well.

 

Hey Kevin, thanks for the info on your motor. I would be interested to know the results of your dad's vortec engine build up. I am leaning towards the vortec's more and more but after talking to a friend of mine he is getting me some info on some alum. heads made in Australia that sound very interesting. Once I get some more info on them I will post it.

 

damn man, i have to be pushing between 280 and 300 at the crank with stock cam, heads, intake, etc. all my mods are in my sig. only internal thing done on my car is that its rebuilt so it has about 10,000 miles on it and it has a .030 overbore. i know my car car pull out a 13.5 on motor. ive ripped out a 13.8 with having to let off the gas to get it to shift into 3rd with my old crappy trans.