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horsepower tricks for a cadillac 331?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by hellspawn, May 5, 2009.

  1. hellspawn
    Joined: Aug 11, 2004
    Posts: 119

    hellspawn
    Member
    from Wayne Pa

    I am looking for some tricks or changes to getting a little bit more rumble and horsepower out of a 54 cadillac 331 engine.....nothing major just a little more of a growl and some more pep in the engine
     
  2. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,971

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Later heads are a bolt on, and (starting in '56) had larger ports; they got bigger yet in '59. Also, a later intake with a higher flowing AFB will bolt on in place of your current WCFB setup.
     
  3. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

  4. hellspawn
    Joined: Aug 11, 2004
    Posts: 119

    hellspawn
    Member
    from Wayne Pa

    thanks guys>>>so i can get later model caddy 390 heads and use them?
     
  5. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    Yep, but stay away from '63 390 engines. They're completely a different animal.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2009
  6. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member


    I'm doing just that as we speak...(figuratively speaking). Been working on it about a year and going back together now.
     
  7. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member


    What is so different about 62??
     
  8. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    They're the later style engine with distributor in the front. They were bumped up to 429ci in '64 I think.
     
  9. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member


    63 only
     
  10. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    Oops! thanks for the correction

    I should have known better, I've worked two different 62's recently, but not engine work.
     
  11. hellspawn
    Joined: Aug 11, 2004
    Posts: 119

    hellspawn
    Member
    from Wayne Pa

    what are the best year 390 heads to swap out? what other work would I have to do? any internals change with 390 heads on a 331 or does it just bolt up?
    also what are the best intakes to swap out onto the 331?
    sorry for the questions I am a motorcycle guy recently getting into cars
     
  12. hellspawn
    Joined: Aug 11, 2004
    Posts: 119

    hellspawn
    Member
    from Wayne Pa

    also..any suggestions for exhaust? I want a nice rumble but nothing that will give me a headache on the highway
     
  13. r8odecay
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 784

    r8odecay
    Member


    Any of the 390 heads, (minus '63, thanks Brudwich) will be a vast improvement over the poor flowing 331 heads.

    Re-read the link Brudwich posted earlier from cadillacinmarcus, all the available and unobtainium intakes are on there. Heads just bolt up...of course make sure intake fits well, valve/rocker is indexed, ect ect...
     

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