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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nantucket mass.
Posts: 65
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top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Hello gentlemen , I have read many of these threads about how to boost the output of a stock 350. I'm trying to wake up my 1972 K10 a little without going whole hog. I'd like to hear what most of you think is the order of operations for getting a little boost out of an off the shelf bone stock truck. I'm not looking for a racer , just a bit more umph out of my daily driver.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
1) Headers
2) Cam 3) Intake 4) Heads 5) Pistons/ 6) Crank |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
^^^ There you go ...that looks like a rebuild .
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![]() 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns)
Posts: 1,903
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
A tune up, and fresh oil do wonders for an engine. Another is an HEI distributor.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Posts: 263
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Dual exhaust and take out the restrictors under the rams horn manifolds and the new pipes. On my truck they necked down to 1.625" on one side and 1.5" on the other.
GM really made a cheap way to make the exhaust heat cross over function without the cost of an actual heat riser valve! All The Best, Dirk |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lowell AR
Posts: 360
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
An open element air cleaner or flip over the stock lid. Yes HEI recurve the distributor, advance the timing. Go with full vacuum for your distributor.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698292 |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: landmark, MB Can
Posts: 288
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
I just had my 350 on the dyno, 20 over flat top pistons other than that all stock. it was rebuilt 30000 miles ago by PO. I cleaned it and put all new gaskets in. Ram horns and y pipe to a 2.5inch. with HEI dis, rebuilt quadrajet.
we got 170 hp 301 ft lb @ 10 deg, at frist reset timing and best we got 181.1 hp and 312 ft lb @ 12 deg that was the best it was willing to do after many different timing settings. then we put on headers and retested we got 188.6 hp 321.7 ft lb at 12 deg so for me adding headers will be on the list to wake this thing up alittle. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Henderson NC
Posts: 975
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
A good aluminum intake and Holley 4 barrel, HEI distributor, long tube headers and 2 1/2 inch exhaust. Along with new wires and plugs this is about the best you can do without going into the motor.
If you want to go into the motor a bigger cam and vortec heads would add a lot more power. |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,881
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Roller rockers will free it up some too.
I have quit using headers because for me the maintenance is more trouble than its worth. We just took two sets off.
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
If not using headers, 2 1/2" ram horns would be the next best option.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,881
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
x2
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
Posts: 5,609
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Edelbrock Performer EPS intake
500 Holley 2 barrel HEI ignition, new plugs and low impedence wires(I like Taylor wires) Headers or some better flowing manifolds and 2 1/4 or 2 1/2" dual exhaust Set initial timing at 12deg BTDC Those are the "top 5" that you asked for.
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#13 |
One of the First
![]() Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Augustine,FL.
Posts: 4,060
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Stock 350 wake up is in the top end, CAM, intake manifold, Carb or EFI (correct Fuel to Air setting) Ignition (dizzy, wires, plugs) with maximum timing and dual exhaust system. Your intent is to make the motor breath fast and easy.
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DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie) |
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Southside, Alabama
Posts: 173
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
I saved this article a while back as a rough plan on how to increase my hp on a goodwrench 350 I'm installing in my truck. Has some pretty good info from basic bolt ons to some more involved upgrades.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/463...-engine-build/ |
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#15 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,978
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
If it has 200,000 plus miles on a 40 year old stock engine... then it's all a waste of time and money.
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Detroit
Posts: 748
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
LS swap it. A stock 4.8L will make more power than most the mods suggested.
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Brandon Instagram: DRVFSTR Current Project: Beatrix - 1967 SWB LQ4/78mm Turbo/4L80e/ on bags Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634691 |
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#17 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,664
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Can you say Nitrous? Quick and easy?
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,178
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
1-4 is kind of a package deal... with 4 as an option if $$ is tight.
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 15
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Here's my opinion...
1.) Ignition - HEI with good wires and plugs 2.) Carburetor - rebuild or replace either way make sure it's functioning at 100%, I replaced my q-jet and went with Edelbrock 1406 and a new intake, 3.) Exhaust - at least do dual pipes, headers can be high maintenance - do your own research and decide what you want in the long run. 4.) Camshaft - with a cam change you really have to know what you want to do with the truck. Race, daily driver, cross country cruiser, or just show off on weekends. 5.) Heads - at this point, it may just be easier to rebuild. 6.) Gears - transmission or rear end - depends on your finished goal |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nantucket mass.
Posts: 65
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Gentlemen , thanks for the thoughtful responses. Ironically I have a 2006 ls 4.8 with 88000 miles on it that I have owned since new and run with synthetic oil. It's in a truck that has rusted and been dented, so the sale value is low. I would love to put that into it but it'd be more work than I might be capable of. Free 4.8 and a full donor vehicle but not enough knowledge to put one in. It seems like a daunting project for a weekend mechanic. That would be nicer than my old tired 350!
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: chulavista ca
Posts: 28
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
I would say go to HEI ignition, a proper tune-up and get the carb rebuilt and set right and something to the exhaust will do wonders and it won't break the bank. If you want it as a daily driver I would recommend a 700r4 tranny, it's got a lower first gear and an overdrive for freeway speeds. My 2 cents.
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Detroit
Posts: 748
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Quote:
__________________
Brandon Instagram: DRVFSTR Current Project: Beatrix - 1967 SWB LQ4/78mm Turbo/4L80e/ on bags Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634691 |
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#23 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,664
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
erikoj if you haven't already you should do some reading down in the LS swap forum and get a feel for what all is involved with an LS swap as well as the costs.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=206
__________________
Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: White Rock, BC
Posts: 41
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
Things I did to wake up my old 350.
1) MSD distributer with 6a box. Replaced HEI. Engine ran better. 2) Holley Street Avenger 670. 3) Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, aluminum. 4) K&N air filter element. 5) New plugs and wires. Started better, ran better and was more reliable. Then, I rebuilt the engine, went with 10 to 1 compression, Performer RPM heads, bigger cam, balanced, port matched and then it REALLY woke up. I am a weekend mechanic. Swapping engines is easier than you think, lots of info on you tube and here. You will need a cherry picker, jack stands, a couple of jacks and a helping hand. Not that hard to do. ray
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1967 Chev C10, in the family since 1967, iron head 502, turbo 350, white with red, unrestored. 1970 Acadian SS350, 350 with muncie 4 speed, 12 bolt, best time 13.414 @ 103.72 ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toano, VA
Posts: 896
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Re: top 5 easiest ways to wake up a stock 350?
The MSD 6AL (rev limiter box) helped my 454 really start up better and I've heard it adds some power. Havent felt a power difference but it sure does drive better. Intake would be a good easy swap, along with cam since youll already be there (with the lifters anyways..) just make sure you dont have to do a spring swap cause then it'll be a little more involved. Hotter plugs, bigger plug wires. I know a lot of companies have a "power package" which may be a good option for you if you don't want to have to find out a good combo.
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"Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service." My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809 |
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