What can i do to get more out of my engine???

[Blanco_53]

It has the stock 5.7 (350) tbi and I know it needs to be rebuilt...but what can I add to get more power out of it....and the transmission is the 700r4 ...thanks in advance
Posted via Mobile Device

[travo77]

it all depends on your budget and how much power you want to get out of it, since your rebuilding it you can do a cam, pistons,heads,intake,carb,upgraded ignition, headers and full exhaust or you can go the cheap route and do open air filter,spark plugs, good spark plug wires and headers
Posted via Mobile Device

[Blanco_53]

How much does it improve with the sparkplugs and wires ???
Posted via Mobile Device

[travo77]

very little, with bigger wires and good plugs it will burn more of the fuel and probley run a little smoother
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dalaigh]

Are you wondering what to do with the motor as is or during the rebuild?

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Easy ways can be anything from 8mm spark plug wires, new distributor cap, high energy coil, ignition box, upgraded intake, headers and a few others that cost a little more...

[Blanco_53]

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

Are you wondering what to do with the motor as is or during the rebuild?

As is .....what I can add to get more performance out of it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dalaigh]

well, in that case I'd look into things that you can carry over to the engine after you get around to rebuilding it. Headers, E Fans, Better air filter, 2.5in exhaust with aftermarket mufflers (I'm not going to suggest any, because there's so many options), and there's some modifications you can do to the tbi to make it more efficient. I'm not just talking about TBI spacers, and injector spacers, if you take your breather off and look at the tbi unit you'll see that just before the bores there is a ridge around them. If you machine them off, you improve the tbi ability to work. Tbi's work by sucking air in from the side by removing this ridge and building a better air cleaner seat (some build this out of a stainless steel salad bowl), you greatly improve the efficiency of the tbi. Just look up Ultimate TBI mod on google and there will be a bunch of sites showing you how to do it. I did it to my V8 S10 and I was amazed by the difference.

Changing plugs, wires, cap and rotor are a good idea to especially if they are old. I would even sugest when you change fluids go to some of the more performance based fluids, like royal purple. After you rebuild I would suggest this as well.

[Blanco_53]

Thanks, I guess I'll start by replacing all the wires and spark plugs and it has a full flowmaster system ...the previous owner took the cats off
Posted via Mobile Device

[FritzA]

Speed costs money, how fast can you afford? Just kidding. You mentioned power, for us truck guys that means grunt/torque.

My opinion, biggest bang for the money is the coil, air cleaner and exhaust. The first 2 items are cheap. Exhaust is really important so give it some thought and research.

You mentioned it needs a rebuild, in that case a good cam (less than $100 will get you a good cam). The cam along with the 3 items above will make a big difference, then get a chip from tbichips.com. At this point it will feel very good.

Next in line is bore out the stock manifold to 2" bores and get a modified throttle body. Look at the ebay store for extremeefi to get an idea.

For good info read the site www.tbichips.com. They also have good cam specs for trucks. I went with the Melling, same specs as the edelbrock 2102.

Good luck and please keep us updated on how it comes together.

[Blanco_53]

I'm just tired of seeing all these newer trucks rollin around like they're the ****..... especially lightnings ....
Posted via Mobile Device

[FritzA]

I was writing my post when you posted you have a good exhaust already. That is important. You are ahead of the game.

When you get the plugs and plug wires grab a good coil like a MSD 5526 (usually in stock at places like Advance Auto Parts).

You really need to get a better air cleaner assembly than the stock one. It is very restrictive, especially with your exhaust.

After those I would suggest looking at a chip.

[FritzA]

One more thought, if you are doing the rebuild. Along with the cam get a good set of valve springs. The GM Z28 springs are a great deal also.

[Blanco_53]

Thanks for all your help....I'm about to order a hot chip from Harris tbi chips ...hopefully I will be happy with the results ...what do you recommend on the air cleaner.....??? Open or take the stock assembly completely off
Posted via Mobile Device

[FritzA]

I'm not a 4x4 guy so open element like the Summit SUM-G3003 works for me.

Watch the clearance around the coil.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Blanco_53

I'm just tired of seeing all these newer trucks rollin around like they're the ****..... especially lightnings ....

Well thats because they are the shiz. Its hard to get past what technology has created. Late model trucks with FI motors are very efficient and pretty quick to boot. Steer clear of Lightnings all together. They have been out long enough that most have a full line up of mods added on top of it having a supercharged motor.

[Dalaigh]

If you wanna beat a lightning, get a Syclone. You can get alot of power out of a lightning, but you you can get quiet a bit of power out of a Syclone too. The difference, where the Syclone will put the power to the road (AWD), the lightning on the other hand will just burn tires.

[criscodisco]

http://bestlineproducts.com/

[Blanco_53]

Appreciate everyones input
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevymotocross]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Well thats because they are the shiz. Its hard to get past what technology has created. Late model trucks with FI motors are very efficient and pretty quick to boot. Steer clear of Lightnings all together. They have been out long enough that most have a full line up of mods added on top of it having a supercharged motor.

Agreed. I respect the newer trucks for what they are, but I prefer classic styling. I'm not going to pull up to some Hemi, Lightning or SS and be like I'm going to smoke the doors off these guys in my 305. Same goes for me hoping those driving newer trucks respect the older ones rolling next to them.

[Blanco_53]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Agreed. I respect the newer trucks for what they are, but I prefer classic styling. I'm not going to pull up to some Hemi, Lightning or SS and be like I'm going to smoke the doors off these guys in my 305. Same goes for me hoping those driving newer trucks respect the older ones rolling next to them.

Agreed 100% ....like you I prefer to keep it original and old school
Posted via Mobile Device

[rayfinseats]

350 vortec heads are big power and only cost about $400 a set new. Cheap headers, upgrade computer chip and a mild cam like Comp Cam 270. Youll be HAPPY.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Agreed. I respect the newer trucks for what they are, but I prefer classic styling. I'm not going to pull up to some Hemi, Lightning or SS and be like I'm going to smoke the doors off these guys in my 305. Same goes for me hoping those driving newer trucks respect the older ones rolling next to them.

Here's the way I think of it,
New trucks are like a highschool/college girlfriend, You buy the first one you see that looks good, they're fast, easy.... to drive, and they cause unplanned spending to keep them looking good, happy and around. But then they break, and turn into an ex-wife and take all your money... again.

Old trucks are like your soulmate, after all you bought it because you wanted it, you even looked for what felt like an eternity to find the perfect one, and despite it's age, it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. You don't have to spend all your money on it, but you do because you know it is always going to be there and it's worth it. And when they break, it's like a few weeks of marriage counselling, and your back on track.

[piecesparts]

As stated it depends on what you want to spend. I have a 91 Silverado with a 350 and a TBI on it. I put on an Airaide Throttle body spacer, 4" X 14" round K&N air cleaner, shorty headers, 8 MM MSD wiring, and a MSD 6AL spark setup and I would say that it responded quite well to those changes. I also changed out my exhaust to a dual 2 1/2" setup.

I also have an 84 GMC that has a 383 stroker engine in it, but the cam is way to radical for a factory TBI setup.

[884x4Sub]

x2 on the tb spacer.....worked well with my 350 tbi