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New motor - looking for ideas

Shaun

Shaun

Member
So last year I scored 2 good deals. A set of used but in perfect condition AFR 185 heads and a Mexican 302 block fully machined for a 331. The 289 I built last year is running great but doesn't make the power I want.

Looking for 450Hp at least from this 331. I think that should be doable on pump gas and 6500rpm red line. I don't want to spin the thing to death to make the power.

I'd like it to be simple with no fancy high maintenance parts, carbureted and be around 4-5k in additional parts.

I have a good friend who is an engine builder that has offered some great ideas but looking for more. What would you guys do?
 
With what you have already you don't need too many "tricks" to get reach your goal. A good roller cam and valve train coupled with the right intake and headers and you're there. You can do it without big dollar crank, rods and pistons too.
 
"Horseplay" said:
With what you have already you don't need too many "tricks" to get reach your goal. A good roller cam and valve train coupled with the right intake and headers and you're there. You can do it without big dollar crank, rods and pistons too.
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:stu 331 with AFR heads and a decent top end should make that fairly easily. But I'd go with the 347 myself... free cubes and less rpm to get to your power goals.
Bill
 
You know Shaun, I was thinking about this more again this morning and I might want to retract my thought on the bottom end. My first response was more generalized in nature and didn't take into account that yours is truly a track car. Given that you might want to consider at least forged H-beam rods and ARP quality bolts throughout. It really isn't that much more money and the peace of mind it would bring is probably worth it.
 
"Horseplay" said:
You know Shaun, I was thinking about this more again this morning and I might want to retract my thought on the bottom end. My first response was more generalized in nature and didn't take into account that yours is truly a track car. Given that you might want to consider at least forged H-beam rods and ARP quality bolts throughout. It really isn't that much more money and the peace of mind it would bring is probably worth it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the cost of a forged rotating assembly isn't much more and ARP bolts everywhere was part of my plan. I don't know if a forged crank is needed or not, I don't believe in overkill for such an important part.

Cam choice baffles me. I like the idea of calling Comp Cams, telling them what I have and what I use it for and buying whatever they tell me but I like to be a bit more informed before swiping the credit card! I do not want to be adjusting valves all the time so would like a hydraulic roller.
 
Shaun,

Bought my cam (s) from Dema Elgin. You give him all the car info and what you want the car to do and he'll come up with a zippy cam. Haven't had one fail yet due to workmanship!
 
Shaun,

A hydraulic roller is definitely the way to go. I'm probably a little over 400 fwhp without really trying on my EFI 331. I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to get it to 450 if I made a few changes. I'm running TW170's and an off the shelf cam so your AFR's should give you an advantage right out of the gate..even more so if you get a cam made to your setup.

I'll be following your progress!

Take care,
-Shannon
 
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