Young Broke and Wanna Go Fast

[AH86]

Hi so I just bought a 1986 c10 with a 305 in it. It is far from a performance machine right now but I plan on putting a modest street engine (preferable 350hp or more) in it but I am a fresh college student with not a huge amount of money. Does anyone have any advice on what engine, I was thinking about a 350, and should I start with a short block and build up or just buy an already built engine? All input appreciated. Thank you!

 

[mtnmankev]

To be brutally honest, horsepower costs money.
Not only to build, but to feed and maintain.
Your best bang for the buck (in my opinion and looking at your situation) if you can swing it, would be a performance Goodwrench 350 complete engine if you don't have the tools and experience (or a trusted helper) to assemble a block from scratch.
Best of luck in your endeavor, and welcome to the forum.
If you have questions about anything squarebody, don't be afraid to post them, one person can't know everything, but between all of us there isn't much we don't know.

 

[Vbb199]

Seems like the common theme from my experience is : 20 dollars per poney and ideally, if you can make 1 ponie per cubic inch, you're doing well already.

Ponies = horsepower


Good start that would do fine for you would be the mentioned good wrench motor, or a HO350.


You can look into blueprint engines too. Some of those are decent bang for your buck, but from what I hear... The quality is hit or miss.

 

[mtnmankev]

I have heard the same about Blueprint engines.
Goodwrench engines can be an affordable source, and I am totally pleased with the power and response I get from the one I am running in one of my squares, but be aware that the factory head gaskets often start to fail around 100K miles (YMMV) and should be replaced around that point.
Not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.

 

[animal]

 

[84 M1008]

I would go with a Performance Goodwrench motor. Be careful with the ponies. As a relatively young driver, 350 hp can get you into trouble. Just a little advice.

 

[86 SCOTTSDALE]

 

[Dysco]

Remember that your rubbers, sproingers and stoppers need to be in excellent condition AND designed for the speed and conditions you will encounter BEFORE you ever hit the gas. You owe it to the people in your life, and anyone else who you might encounter out there.
With a relatively inexpensive gearing change to match your tires and needs, your 305 can go fast. Spend the money getting the other things ready first.

 

[nabeshin]

A tune up would bring back lost ponies and be relatively cheap.

 

[84 M1008]

Remember that your rubbers, sproingers and stoppers need to be in excellent condition AND designed for the speed and conditions you will encounter BEFORE you ever hit the gas. You owe it to the people in your life, and anyone else who you might encounter out there.
With a relatively inexpensive gearing change to match your tires and needs, your 305 can go fast. Spend the money getting the other things ready first.

Good advice.

 

[MikeB]

If you want to go fast, make sure your brakes and suspension are up to the task!

 

[Catbox]

If you have the means, go to the junkyard and find a roller 350 to start with.

Rebuild it to learn more about what makes your truck run.
Then you can control what goes into the engine and make it yours.

 

[peats]

i would scour craigslist or other similar venues to find a complete running 350 engine with a recent build. one that you can hear run or that is still in the vehicle. i see them regularly for about a thousand$ more or less. often rodders just decide to go in a different direction and have to move an engine with no issues whatsoever. patience is the key, keep a look out and the right engine will come your way.

 

[Bextreme04]

or the other thing i see fairly regularly is someone that has a 90's chevy that has a recent engine rebuild and then the trans goes out. Often the cost of the tranny rebuild is what throws them over the edge on the truck and they just want it gone. If you can find one like that where the owner just wants it gone with a good engine and blown trans, you can get the truck, take the engine, part out the rest of the truck, and then scrap whats left. You often break even, or even make a little money on it doing it that way. I got a running, driving suburban with a 454/4L80E for $500 and have made about $800 in parting out what I didn't want.

 

[Grit dog]

i would scour craigslist or other similar venues to find a complete running 350 engine with a recent build. one that you can hear run or that is still in the vehicle. i see them regularly for about a thousand$ more or less. often rodders just decide to go in a different direction and have to move an engine with no issues whatsoever. patience is the key, keep a look out and the right engine will come your way.

^ This.

Those suggesting Goodwrench crate motors and the like either don't remember being broke college students or had more dollars than sense.
The bigger issue is what's backing up the (anemic) 305? A tired 700R4 or even a fresh one that is stock won't make it long at 350hp unless all you're doing is one wheel peels with it. Trans is another potential expense.
I learnt that lesson when I was a broke college student and dropped the 400 out of my hot rod into my Monte Carlo SS. The trans lasted about 2.4 weeks. Prior to that it lasted alot of miles behind the stock 305.