Found a 351 for sale, what HP you guys think it'll make?

LarsD

LarsD

Founding Member
Jul 2, 2002
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Texas
#1
I've been gearing up to to a 347 for my 91. I originally wanted to do a 408, but the funds aren't quite there. A 351W popped up locally for sale yesterday for a good price with a bunch of the swap parts included. Now I know it isn't a 408, but the ground work will be laid, and after I sell off the parts I had already bought, I would be able to get it for much less then a 347 shortblock.

It has a GT40 (tubular) intake, 70mm TB and spacer, Edelbrock Performer RPM heads with 2.02/1.60 valves, RR's, an X303 cam, 30lb injectors, and the block was decked so the factory hyperteutic pistons are .015 above deck. Assuming no p/v problems, what do you guys think this setup will put out? I'm guesstimating 375ish hp, and 400+ on the torque. Fair assumption? Or am I giving the X cam too much credit?

Thanks

ETA: He says everything is new except for the SB, I've asked him how many miles were on it, but have yet to hear back from him.
 
#6
Mr. Rustypwnz said:
330whp maybe, those are 302 parts..
Click to expand...

That might even be wishful thinking.

If you're just looking to get a 351 into your car, this would be at least a stepping stone. Just don't expect too much out of that combo. To get a 351 to perform, you've got to let it breeeeathe. Those parts ain't doing it. BUT, you could drop it in, have fun cruising around in it, and start accumulating better parts and eventually yank the motor out and drop in the better parts.

I will say that I'd be nervous, anytime you buy an engine that has had some machine work done, you're really not sure what you're going to get. For all you know, it could be completely botched and not rebuildable. You have to wonder, why was the block decked, but he reused the stock pistons?
 
#7
NikwoaC said:
That might even be wishful thinking.

If you're just looking to get a 351 into your car, this would be at least a stepping stone. Just don't expect too much out of that combo. To get a 351 to perform, you've got to let it breeeeathe. Those parts ain't doing it. BUT, you could drop it in, have fun cruising around in it, and start accumulating better parts and eventually yank the motor out and drop in the better parts.

I will say that I'd be nervous, anytime you buy an engine that has had some machine work done, you're really not sure what you're going to get. For all you know, it could be completely botched and not rebuildable. You have to wonder, why was the block decked, but he reused the stock pistons?
Click to expand...

Well I'm sure the added torque would make the car a lot more fun to drive on the street. I could have it in the car for not a lot of money if I resold some of the parts I have already accumulated. It is being sold by a moderator on a local board who is pretty well known, and seems to have a good reputation. The engine was also put together by a local shop that also is known for putting out good work. I have to admit though, I don't love the idea of a used engine since I was burned a few years ago on another project by a seller who promised I was buying a hard running engine, and it ended up being down on compression in half the cylinders.

The bright side is I can pick up the engine complete for $2500, and it includes a lot of the 351 specific parts, basically all I would need to get it in the car would be swap headers, and an oil pan. My biggest hangup is I want to keep my stock hood, and I don't think that'll happen.
 
#9
Larsd, I am currently running a very similar combo to what you might purchase in that 351....and let me tell you, the HP is not it's strong point
mines a 357 with 10.0 vanolia pistons.
gt40 tubular
gt40 heads
b-cam w/ 1.7 rockers
30lb jectors
77mass
70 tb
longtubes
First off, hp PEAKED @ 4700....276hp, then fell off...I quit the run @ 5500
it needs more head/cam/intake for sure
however, motor produced 333 ft/lbs @ 2000rpm, peaked 355 @ 4000
it's a nice street motor with plenty of useable torque....it simply needs more head cam & intake....like mentioned before, they're 302 parts making 302 power
the motor is sound....5000 miles
Im currently replacing the h/c/i to get the most out of it...to be continued lol
Also, I believe Holcomb makes nice 351 motor mounts to drop the block 3/4" and you might be able to use your factory hood....guys have done this before as long as you are not using an intake spacer...
I'm running a 3" cowl with no problems.
I'd buy the 351....the low rpm torque is much higher than my old 306...its a nice street motor, you're not gonna be revving it too high tho
Good luck!
 
#11
rbonella said:
Larsd, I am currently running a very similar combo to what you might purchase in that 351....and let me tell you, the HP is not it's strong point
mines a 357 with 10.0 vanolia pistons.
gt40 tubular
gt40 heads
b-cam w/ 1.7 rockers
30lb jectors
77mass
70 tb
longtubes
First off, hp PEAKED @ 4700....276hp, then fell off...I quit the run @ 5500
it needs more head/cam/intake for sure
however, motor produced 333 ft/lbs @ 2000rpm, peaked 355 @ 4000
it's a nice street motor with plenty of useable torque....it simply needs more head cam & intake....like mentioned before, they're 302 parts making 302 power
the motor is sound....5000 miles
Im currently replacing the h/c/i to get the most out of it...to be continued lol
Also, I believe Holcomb makes nice 351 motor mounts to drop the block 3/4" and you might be able to use your factory hood....guys have done this before as long as you are not using an intake spacer...
I'm running a 3" cowl with no problems.
I'd buy the 351....the low rpm torque is much higher than my old 306...its a nice street motor, you're not gonna be revving it too high tho
Good luck!
Click to expand...

Awesome, this is the post I was hoping to find. I might not be able to get it after all. There are a few guys interested in it, and I was going to check it out Friday, but now I have to work. So I may miss out.
 
#13
Stupid slow internet, double post. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the letter cams, I like the tubular intakes (only the looks though).

I figured it would be good to lay the ground work for a tall deck motor, but whatever I do next will be left alone for a little while, and I really want it to be a decent setup, not something I'm going to be planning on ripping apart before I even get it finished.
 
#14
That's the deal and I agree
My motor was built back in 1995 and that's what was available for 351s. Lightning intakes, gt40/tw/rpm heads, letter cams and some others, and you used what you could find. So yeah, you'd be re-doing the entire top end anyways (where Iam at) for the ability to run modern parts=more power!
 
#15
rbonella said:
That's the deal and I agree
My motor was built back in 1995 and that's what was available for 351s. Lightning intakes, gt40/tw/rpm heads, letter cams and some others, and you used what you could find. So yeah, you'd be re-doing the entire top end anyways (where Iam at) for the ability to run modern parts=more power!
Click to expand...

I already have a new GT40 tube intake and new Trick Flow heads sitting in boxes. I wanted to do this car N/A. But I keep bouncing back and forth between a 306 with my top end parts and a S/C, or an N/A 347. I wanted a 408, but didn't want to deal with having to track down the swap parts, so when this popped up I started thinking about it again.
 
#16
NA 347's are great, but I wouldnt put a gt40 tubular on that either
heads are fine
with what you have now, use the gt40 w/tw heads and s/c.
what s/c were you thinking/boost?
port the lower intake, 8-12 lbs...you'll make fun power
 
#17
you know...it comes down to if you want it done right or just done
I think you mentioned things will sit for a while?
IF you have time....take your time and build a nice NA 347 or 351 etc.. with appropriate parts
If you just want it done, throw a blower on it with your top end and you"ll be good.
I go back and forth all the time about combos, but I have the time being married haha to think about/acquire/buy parts
it never stops for me and I will NEVER satisfied!
My friend finished his dream motor last summer...427 LS1 single turbo...after three months he wanted more than the 700hp he was making
 
#19
rbonella said:
you know...it comes down to if you want it done right or just done
I think you mentioned things will sit for a while?
IF you have time....take your time and build a nice NA 347 or 351 etc.. with appropriate parts
If you just want it done, throw a blower on it with your top end and you"ll be good.
I go back and forth all the time about combos, but I have the time being married haha to think about/acquire/buy parts
it never stops for me and I will NEVER satisfied!
My friend finished his dream motor last summer...427 LS1 single turbo...after three months he wanted more than the 700hp he was making
Click to expand...

Well it will be sitting in that I don't want to open up the engine again for a long time. I DO want to do it right the first time.

NikwoaC said:
"A Hot Rod is never finished." Lots of truth in that statement.
Click to expand...

110% truth right here.
 
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