355 build
Moderator: John_Heard
355 build
Hey guys, i'm still alittle new at this stuff so I wanted to ask ya'lls opinion. I've got a 355 Sbc I want to build but I know the 383 will give me more torque. I just have to use what I have on a low budget. What advise can u give on building a strong engine? My block is 4 bolt main bore. 030 over, crank is turned .010,.010 and I have a set of vortec heads. Can I use 6" rods and make more hp and torque? I want a strong engine, any help will be appreciated. Thanks
Re: 355 build
You really won't see any gains from going to the longer rod. If you want the 355 to be stronger, look at head work, cam shaft choice and compression.
I built a 355 30 yrs ago for a 67 camaro street car that ran 11.50's. 10-1 flat top pistons, a ported set of double humps and a solid flat tappit cam. The combo had a very loose converter with 4.11's in the rear. It ran like it was a on fire!!!!!!!
Cam spec's : lift .540 Int - .534 ext; duration 255 int - 266 ext @ .050; 108 L/S
Very Torque'y cam for a 355.
I built a 355 30 yrs ago for a 67 camaro street car that ran 11.50's. 10-1 flat top pistons, a ported set of double humps and a solid flat tappit cam. The combo had a very loose converter with 4.11's in the rear. It ran like it was a on fire!!!!!!!
Cam spec's : lift .540 Int - .534 ext; duration 255 int - 266 ext @ .050; 108 L/S
Very Torque'y cam for a 355.
Blackhoodmafia!!!!
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
Re: 355 build
Ok, thanks. What was the name of the company? What about cranks or rods from eagle or scat? I've heard bad things on both just depends on who I talk too. And pistons domes or flat tops?
Re: 355 build
The cam was a comp cam. Look in the dirt track section for it if your wanting the same one. I think comp now has some great drag cams with profiles like the dirt track one. When I bought the cam back in the 80's there was not a lot of dual pattern cams to choose from so I looked in the dirt track section and found one I thought would be good and it was.
I've run eagle stuff for yrs with no problems. I also have my stuff checked out by the engine machine shop and if there is any issues I'll send it back.
If this car is a street car with aluminum heads I would stay with flat tops and under 11-1 compression. Of its a track car only I would bump the compression to at least 12.5-1.
You need to look at the deck hight and squintch area and choose the right thickness of gasket.
I've run eagle stuff for yrs with no problems. I also have my stuff checked out by the engine machine shop and if there is any issues I'll send it back.
If this car is a street car with aluminum heads I would stay with flat tops and under 11-1 compression. Of its a track car only I would bump the compression to at least 12.5-1.
You need to look at the deck hight and squintch area and choose the right thickness of gasket.
Blackhoodmafia!!!!
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
Re: 355 build
K, this is going in an 85 chevy pickup. I'm gonna lower it alittle and building the engine to be strong so maybe to make a wkd racer(play toy) but not a daily driver. The heads are cast gm 092 vortec 64cc heads. Gonna drop 1.94intake and 1.6 exhaust stainless valves. Thinking of 750cfm Carb and edlebrock rpm air gap intake.
Re: 355 build
Airgaps are ok. It if you go with a cam like the one I pointed out you'll need to go with a straight runner intake like a Team G or an old eddy Torker. The 750 cfm carb will work fine. The reason for the intake up grade is your gonna want the motor to rpm. Airgaps are not known for good power at higher rpm. The 1.94 - 1.60 valves will work just fine. The double humps I used had 1.94 - 1.50's in them. I like keeping port velocity up with higher rpm's.
Blackhoodmafia!!!!
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
Re: 355 build
dont know what et you want to run
my wife has a 67 short bed over 4,000 pounds
got my old stock 355 in it with a 470 lift cam and a 700 dp holley
turbo 400 3600 vert and 4:56 gears she runs 13.70 to 13.80s in it
that motor ran a best of 12.38 in my blazer at 3100 pounds with loser vert and 4:86 gears
my wife has a 67 short bed over 4,000 pounds
got my old stock 355 in it with a 470 lift cam and a 700 dp holley
turbo 400 3600 vert and 4:56 gears she runs 13.70 to 13.80s in it
that motor ran a best of 12.38 in my blazer at 3100 pounds with loser vert and 4:86 gears
Re: 355 build
If you have to buy a crank, rods, and pistons, buy the 383 stuff. And if you go big on the can, you will need some machine work on the heads. I would recommend screw in studs at any rate so the valve train will be adjustable...
Trucks are for haulin...
Re: 355 build
I'm getting great replies and I really appreciate all the help. And i'm gonna start building this on paper and pricing parts. A buddy of mine told me to run 4.88 gears w/a 3200-3500 stall but I was wondering on the tranny. My truck has a 350 lockup in it now but what would be best or is it a matter of opinion? Some say turbo 350 some 400. But what about a pg? On the intake ya'll said a team G earlier, how bout the victor jr intake?
Re: 355 build
A victor jr is a good one . I think a airgap is limited.
Blackhoodmafia!!!!
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
Re: 355 build
K, sounds good. Get'n an idea where i'm going now. One more thing to ask for now, is the 1 5/8" headers better or go bigger to 1 3/4"? Thanks for all ur help!
Re: 355 build
Hey supernova, its good to talk to someone from back around home! I was born in hurst and my dad lives in new ark and works in fort worth
Re: 355 build
If your looking for torque ( especially in a heavy truck) I would do a 383 for sure. We had a nice basic one we put in a camaro, pump gas, hyd flat tappet cam,vortec heads, chinese air gap made 430 hp at the flywheel. I would run the th350. IMO
Re: 355 build
Hey, I lived in Hurst for a few years. Where are you now?Outlaw2 wrote:Hey supernova, its good to talk to someone from back around home! I was born in hurst and my dad lives in new ark and works in fort worth
Blackhoodmafia!!!!
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC
Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs
Re: 355 build
Supernova I live in Arkansas. Been here most of my life, I go back every now and then to see my dad and family.
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