Classic Engine Tech 1967 - 1981 Engine Related

1980 Z28 camaro

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #1  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
1980 Z28 camaro

i know that these are the low compression years and arent the fastest in the world but can anyone throw me some ideas of how to get around 400hp without the hole stroking to the 383 or any of that i would like to leave it as a 350 but like i said get around 400 on motor if you could list the products that would be incredible
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 02:00 AM
  #2  
BMoney's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 435
From: Flint, Michigan
check out some Edlebrock stuff, they have a set up for a 350 that will have around 400hp. heads, intake, cam, lifters, carb, roller rockers! those are just a few things. it all depends on how deep your pockets are.
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 01:25 PM
  #3  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
yea ive seen all of those top end kits from edelbrock the price isnt bad but i dont know if they give me the hp with my engine thats why im asking thanks anyway
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 03:28 PM
  #4  
BMoney's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 435
From: Flint, Michigan
if you have checked into them, they will tell you what bottom end they have it on, to achieve the hp goals. I believe they have just a 9.0:1 350ci, with the edlebrock heads, intake, cam, lifters, rockers and carb.
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 04:29 PM
  #5  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
ok quick question how would i change my 8.6:1 to 9.0:1 or higher i wouldnt know where to start i would hae just gotten an 80s camaro motor my dads iroc has a 9.5:1 stock
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 09:09 PM
  #6  
BMoney's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 435
From: Flint, Michigan
you may have to find out what heads you have on the motor, they could have 76cc chambers, on a standard 350 with some 64cc heads you will have about 10:1 compression. give or take a little.
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 05:35 PM
  #7  
BoogieZ28's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24
Just drop in a used LS-1 in it. w/some mods you can get it to 400. Why bother with an old school cast iron engine?
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 10:05 PM
  #8  
BMoney's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 435
From: Flint, Michigan
it all depends on how deep his pockets are.
Old Jul 20, 2007 | 10:00 PM
  #9  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
exactly this small block will be my back up plan if i cant find a big block thats why i was asking
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 01:55 AM
  #10  
jerminator96's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,374
From: Raleigh, NC
The limiting factor is your heads, don't worry about the compression. Like someone else mentioned using a smaller combustion chamber will increase compression anyway.

I've always heard great things about the Dart Pro 1 heads, but the edlebrock kits will probably be the easiest route, they've done all the thinking for you.

Anyway, get a good set of heads, an intake that fits your needs, and then a cam that is matched to all of it. If you want 400fwhp then Helen Keller could assemble your motor and get 400hp out of it, if you are going for 400rwhp then you better make sure you have some good stuff in there.

Just my $.02

Jeremy
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 11:49 AM
  #11  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
thats why the first thing i thought of was the 350 top end kit from edelbrock but im not sure if it will do what it says to my motor 415hp
Old Jul 21, 2007 | 02:09 PM
  #12  
jerminator96's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,374
From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by 81z28phil
thats why the first thing i thought of was the 350 top end kit from edelbrock but im not sure if it will do what it says to my motor 415hp
There is probably little difference between your motor and the one they used to make 400hp. Granted they probably had a pro assemble the motor with a level of perfection you will never bother to achieve on a 350, but the only major difference would be compression ratio. You probably have 72cc heads, swap them out with a set of heads with smaller combustion chambers and you will be fine.

There is not a whole lot of power to be made in the shortblock without increasing displacement. You can make hp with a lot of perfect prep-work to the shortblock, but it costs more money than its worth for what you want to do.
Old Jul 22, 2007 | 10:43 PM
  #13  
showstoppers-96-Z/28's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 151
From: virginia
They used an edelbrock top end kit a while ago on an episode of HorsePower TV, it was a full kit with retro fit roller cam, no machining required roller lifters, full roller rockers, bolt on performance heads, intake, and carb. They stuck it all on a stock remanufactured 350 as one of their "bang for the buck" things, and dyno'd it, it did make over 400 HP, so with a little money and time, that goal isnt so hard to achieve. Personally, the LT1's and LS1's are great engines, but i love the 1st gen's as well, nothing performs like they did back in their day
Old Jul 23, 2007 | 09:56 AM
  #14  
81z28phil's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
yea i just remembered that episode thancks but do you think if i just throw the heads cam intak all the stuff that comes in the kit will i get my 190 horse 2 bolt main to 400hp or would i have to change pistonsandcraplike that
Old Jul 23, 2007 | 11:18 AM
  #15  
ChuckNorris's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by 81z28phil
yea i just remembered that episode thancks but do you think if i just throw the heads cam intak all the stuff that comes in the kit will i get my 190 horse 2 bolt main to 400hp or would i have to change pistonsandcraplike that
Buddy, listen very, very closely. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

Power is not made in the shortblock, it is made in the heads. They are the part of the motor that decides potential power production with a given displacement. The intake and cam decide how much of that potential power you will see.

The only possible thing I could think of that would be different on your motor is the fact that you have a flat tappet cam and I would guess those kits use a roller cam. You would then have to convert to a roller setup. If you are that worried about it then go pick up a '87+ 350 shortblock for ~$500 (and that will get you a really good one I'm sure).

Edit: And I just looked they even sell a kit with a retro-fit roller cam for your engine, so that is out the window.

I hate to come off like a jerk but you've had that question answered a number of times.

Last edited by ChuckNorris; Jul 23, 2007 at 11:26 AM.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:16 AM.