So just got this truck and looking for the best upgrades to do to a stock 350 SBC. I’m kind of new to all this and have been searching through all the info on the website and it definitely helps. Newbie for sure to the cl***ic trucks but this is gonna be a daily driver and just looking to have fun with it. Thanks Edit: sorry it’s a 1965 Chevy c10 350 Gm goodwrench with a 700r4 overdrive. Nothing real crazy just minor stuff I guess headers, carb and exhaust to start and then cam later. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It would help to know what the truck is. Tons of stuff can be done to a small block Chevy, depending on what you want out of it...
Depending on your skill level, but the SBC trifecta is carb, intake, headers. But a jump in compression, and camshaft are a pretty good move.
Camel humps, 3/4 cam, vette rams horns, multiple squirt devices and a Mallory dual point that’s the vintage answer
picture of the truck and the engine (***uming the truck is on topic, ie. it's 1965 or older) and what you plan to do with it when it's done, will go a long ways towards getting more useful answers. Although anthony is definitely on the right track
If your new to all this I would leave the motor alone. A stock 350 will push a 40s era truck down the road with no problem.
Goodwrench crate engine is probably the low cost, low power version. It is like 230 hp or less. Biggest problem it has is the heads ****, big chambers with small ports and valves; and the corresponding low compression ratio. It also has a small cam that will limit your power and rpm potential. If by chance you have one of the better crate engines, such as the 290 hp or greater then you have better options with the heads on the engine. So determine what exact crate engine you have, and then you can make better decisions on what upgrades.
If you're going do do a cam, might as well do heads at the same time, unless you just want the sound.
It is the gm goodwrench 350 motor I can send pics of it but not sure where to start with it, looking to put new heads and exhaust and changing out the cam. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
With the gas we have today I'd avoid bumping up compression on any engine in a vehicle I want to drive a lot. I've got one that's about 10.75:1 c.r. and it's not much fun having to not just buy premium, but also add either race gas or octane booster to every tank. So my suggestion would be to leave the compression alone, and do the usual intake, carb, and headers first. Then if you want to play some more later add a better cam. Forget bumping compression past 9.5:1, so you can easily run on premium, and maybe even regular gas. I built my last engine to run well on 9.25:1 ratio, and it's plenty quick, and does so on regular or premium gas.
Almost all of the SBC crate engines are 350 size. Some exceptions, but being a 350 doesn't identify close enough. Sent from my SM-A102U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
1 5/8 long tube headers, 2 1/2" dual exhaust, Decent dual plane aluminum intake, (edelbrock performer), 600-650 vacuum secondary carb, (quadrajet, holley, edelbrock, summit brawler) cam .450-.470 lift, keep it under 230 duration @ .050. 3 good cams in that range, Ive built a lot of sbc's with lazy heads and these range cams, good vacuum, doesnt need a stall converter. Many companies make identical sbc cams. MEL-22235 465 lift 224 dur@.050. MEL-22203 444/465 lift 214/224 dur@.050 MEL-22213 444 lift 214 dur @.050 Dead simple combo, been done a million times and it works. If you want to change heads, read up on vortecs. Not my video Watch "chevy 350 with 465 lift 224 duration cam running." on YouTube
I also have the 10067353 crate engine. I ran the long block stock until the warranty ran out, then just changed the cam to the Melling MTC-1, it has the same specs as the Edelbrock Performer cam. The little Melling cam really woke up the engine. Both versions of my engine ran a dual plane Holley intake, 600 Edelbrock carb and headers. I agree the heads aren’t great (624 castings?), but a cam really helps out. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Since you're new to it I would research top end packages, the aftermarket performance manufacturers have done all the hard work for you in choosing what works with what. I would look at the Edelbrock performer rpm package, I understand that you may not be able to afford the whole package at once or even want to do it all at once but you can select things out of the package like the intake, carb and corresponding headers. When it's time or you see a good deal on some good used heads pick them up, save a little more and get the cam they use in the package and you'd have a proven trouble free combo. Many times you can find a used rpm air gap intake for $200 and a set of good used aluminum performer rpm heads for $1,000 don't buy a used cam, lifters and push rods, some used Harland Sharp roller rockers are budget friendly for $200 and are good quality. This is the one I'd choose, but I like a little horsepower, they do have a 330 hp package as well. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2098 Stay away from anything pro-comp or blank with only a part number because they're just pro-comp junk in disguise. Many times the cheap inferior Chinese rip off companies will use part of the name of a high quality company to fool you, it may say "air gap" but it's not a true Edelbrock intake, speedmaster is another cheap rip off company to stay away from.