We could well have used the stock 300-hp short block from the wrecking yard for this 400-hp example, but this test 350 featured a set of JE forged, flat-top pistons with valve reliefs and a set of 6.0-inch Street Master forged connecting rods. Stepping up to 400 horsepower means adding a decent set of heads and a performance camshaft. The stock cam timing minimized power production, but the torque curve exceeded 390 lb-ft from 3,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm. Run with Hooker headers and an electric water pump, the junkyard jewel produced 313 hp at 4,600 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm. To exceed 300 horsepower, all we had to do was replace the TBI or CPI induction system with an Edelbrock RPM intake and Holley 650 HP carb (others will work as well at this power level). The Vortec heads are the best flowing conventional (production) small block heads, so there is plenty of potential left in the stock castings. The hydraulic roller cams are more expensive than the traditional hydraulic flat tappet cam but not having to worry about cam break in and possible damage is more than worth the extra expense. We liked the factory hydraulic roller cam and lifters and when upgrading, know there are plenty of cam profiles available. We chose a late-model, hydraulic roller 350 equipped with Vortec heads and a 1-piece rear main seal.

Even if your current needs are best met by level 1, the others will show you what is possible when it comes time to Level Up!īuilding a 300-hp small block Chevy is as easy (and inexpensive) as dropping by your local wrecking yard and yanking out a 350 truck motor. Think of them as 300-hp, 400-hp, and 500-hp, street, street/strip, and race or even level 1,2, and 3, but no matter what the label, we will illustrate combos that fit each level. Normally we concentrate our efforts on one particular combination, but this time out we decided to cater to a wider audience by illustrating not one but three different levels of performance. What the discussion comes down to is there are different levels of performance for different enthusiasts. Naturally the needs of these street/strip enthusiasts differ from that of a daily driver, and even of those looking for maximum performance. For others, they might be looking for something a bit more sporty, but something that still serves as transportation. For some, a simple stock rebuild is all that is necessary to power their daily driver or transportation truck. Let’s face it, building a small block means different things to different people.

Comp cam 350 sbc