Old fashioned sleeper needs more HP.

[tubehead]

Hi to everyone on this site.I have been lurking on this site for some time but have made a few mistakes on my project 86 silverado so I think it's time to get some opinions and advice.
My main mistake is I replaced the tired 305 with a 330hp GM crate engine thinking it was enough horsepower for me but 2 years later it is not.
First running against the norm I want my truck to look as stock as possible but go and handle as well as possible.I have not dropped the ride height yet but the max it will get is a 2/4 and I want the best handling package I can get with that ride height.
I want at least 500 hp at the rear wheels and am thinking just replace the current crate engine with another setup could be cheaper in the long run than try to get more out of the current engine?

The cooling system is done and rated to cool up to 750hp and the Diff is a brand new 9 inch rated to 1000hp so it is sort of on the way.

I did not really plan this project out properly and it has just sort of evolved but I would now like to finish it off with a plan in place.

I also like the idea of a blower but a quiet one if there is any such thing?

 

[Skweegle89]

A blower isn't going to look as stock as possible.


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[marks86]

I slap on turbo on it, run a 12psi and be good to go

 

[350runner]

I was thinking twin turbo it but a blower would be hitting the easy button...

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[Quadrajet Power]

Turbo time!

 

[firebane]

Get a LS and supercharge it

 

[rich weyand]

Large amounts of horsepower are expensive, because few people go there. It takes volume manufacturing to bring prices down, which is why base 350 crate engines are only $1500.

Don't forget to upgrade the transmission, or you'll just blow it up.

That said, here are a couple of ideas:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Default&autoview=SKU

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/connect-cruise-powertrain-systems.html

 

[MadOgre]

Im with Rich on the second link

It is painful trying to get 500 usable HP out of a GM small block. A big block can give you globs of torque and feel like 500 HP

But at the end of the day a LS6.2 supercharged and 4L80 would be enough to send you to the moon. Actually I think frame and suspension mods would be a must!

 

[rich weyand]

Back in the day, my cousin put a 430hp 427cid in a 55 Chevy. He spun the tires a lot, so he put slicks on it. Then he blew up the clutch, so he put the heavy duty clutch on it. Then he dynamited the little three speed, so he put a Muncy M22 on it. Then he blew up the differential, so he put the 12-bolt pumpkin on it. Finally, he ripped the suspension off the shackles.

Big horsepower builds have to be front to back from the start, or they will be front to back by the end.

 

[tubehead]

Back in the day, my cousin put a 430hp 427cid in a 55 Chevy. He spun the tires a lot, so he put slicks on it. Then he blew up the clutch, so he put the heavy duty clutch on it. Then he dynamited the little three speed, so he put a Muncy M22 on it. Then he blew up the differential, so he put the 12-bolt pumpkin on it. Finally, he ripped the suspension off the shackles.

Big horsepower builds have to be front to back from the start, or they will be front to back by the end.

Point taken I destroyed the 10 bolt in short order but it was well worn.
The 9 inch is overkill for what is most likely 270 hp at the wheels with the current motor but I am learning the hard way better to spend the money now than have to do it again.

The 700R4 is being replaced in a few weeks with a rebuilt 4L60 which the builder said has some updates over my gearbox.He said it will handle 500hp ok.I still want the overdrive.
So that will leave the suspension and brakes which I have not researched yet but will do together.

I wish I had just gone done that with the motor and gone LS2 which the guy who fitted my 350HO suggested at the outset.At the time I thought the HO was plenty.

I am in Australia so Squares are not exactly thick on the ground and my stock looking ride is even rarer so spending some money is not an issue as it's a keeper.

 

[tubehead]

Here is a picture of the money pit as it sits now .

 

[350runner]

Things looking nice man!

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[MadOgre]

Yep definitely an LS candidate!

 

[350runner]

X2i was thinking the same... just didn't want to say it

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[bucket]

Ah, that's a nice one! And I've been seeing those factory bed rails all over the place recently.