CamaroStylin

ok so im building this high performance TPI 350 for my 88 camaro and I know i need new pistons, so im going with forged TRW flat tops. I'll be running 10.5:1 compression and I'll be pulling 490 ft/lbs of torque and 499 hp. i guess i need to replace the rods as well, huh?
if so, do i need H beam or should I beam be ok? what's the limit for each?
Do i need a new crank? im really hoping i dont, but if you guys think its a possibility, please tell me.
thanks guys!

TheGreatJ

You don't need H-beam rods. I-beams will be more than sufficient. The stock nodular iron crank should be fine too, as long as you don't plan on ever going to a forced induction or spray setup. Make sure to get the rotating assembly balanced....that'll play a big role in it's durability.

Black6SpdTA

What RPM does the motor make peak power at? If it's higher than ~5k, and the crank has a lot of miles on it, I'd consider going forged. Then you're totally safe down the road.

CamaroStylin

peak horsepower at 6k and peak torque at 4500.
i dont have the engine yet, so im not sure what kind of wear is on the crank
how much power do you think I beams can take??

aklim

Why do you want such high compression? I have that and regret it. If I had known then what I know now I would have spent the money on a Callies forged rotating assembly and had about 8.5 compression. That way when I wanted more power later on, I could install a supercharger.

CamaroStylin

why such high compression? because if im goign to build an engine and spend all that time and money (neither of which i have much of) then it's going to be done right and its going to be powerful enough to make it worth while. if i could run higher compression on pump gas then i would. you have to do everything you can to get more power out of a performance engine, and as everyone knows higher compression equals more power. what kind of compression do you have? why do you regret it?
i would never build an engine with 8.5:1 unless I specifically intended to run boost on it. Im not going to put a supercharger on a daily driver. it's just not logical. especially if i can get 500hp out of it anyway.
would you disagree?

97WS6SCharged

I seriously doubt you're going to see 499 hp out of a TPI type motor, but I wish you luck. As far as compression, I'd look to run about 10:1 on a gen 1 street engine. That should be plenty.

aklim

Currently I have 10.8:1. I regret it because I am way too high to supercharge it.

I would think that at 8.5:1, you could make it work because you can run more timing without risk of detonation to make up for the loss of power with the low compression. I have seen a 306 (bored .030 over) Mustang with a supercharger that makes 560 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels that is a daily driver. To get 500 out of a 350 and have streetability will be difficult. You'd have to sacrifice some idle quality and some gas mileage.

97WS6SCharged

Lots of boost on that 306 to make that much torque at the wheels.

Why is it illogical to put a supercharger on a daily driven car? With a supercharger you can get decent gas mileage, a nice idle, power brakes, and stupid amounts of power and torque.

CamaroStylin

I wouldnt put a supercharger on a daily driven 350 because first off, it's too much power for a daily driver. if i can get 499 hp without a supercharger, then i'll do it in a heartbeat. even at tha tkind of power i wont be able to keep the tires on the road. plus, i like a rough idle in a car. lets you know its ready to eat up some hondas im looking forward to it.

and its not going to be a stock GM TPI intake system. Im using a Holley Stealth Ram system so i can actually get some power in the top end (notice that the peak HP is at 6k and peak TQ is at 4500 instead of like 2500.)

i dont even really see how you can expect good gas mileage in any driving condition when you combine 355 cubic inches and 7 pounds of boost. that basically makes the engine run (and consume fuel) as if it were a 525 ci. that's just too much for a car that i drive 25k miles a year.

plus a supercharger is expensive! I read up on all the info for the vortech third gen supercharger and it only increased power by 35% at best. not worth it in my opinion. I'd be happy sitting at 499hp-i dont need anything else