Performance 307 build!!

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80Maliboo said:
smallblockFTW said:
well, i dont wanna go crazy, but i wanna prove a point. popular hot rodding covered an article about making 435 hp out of a 307. you have to be VERY smart about the heads. i have 7a heads on the motor now, but i have a set of 5a's for it. i dont want a world beater, but i wanna turn some heads with a "boat anchor" under the hood.


Magazine articles... :roll:

I get the sense you wouldnt know the first thing about what it takes to be 'VERY smart' regarding heads.
lol. test me. i may be 17, but i know my sh*t.
 
Hey FTW what transmission /rear combo are you running?
 
I take it you are young. Here is some advice regarding your situation, it could save you a lot of time and money. You have a passion for the first v8 car you've owned and want to set the world on fire with it. Gotcha, we've all been there. Unfortunately you have jumped into a relitively heavy smogger car. That means its going to take a lot of time, skill, and/or money to accomplish anything near what you are immagining. Also, you have an oldsmoblie engine. They arent exactly renowned for their performance qualities in decades since the 50's. There is next to no aftermarket for them which means what is available is overpriced and will net a substancially decreased power potential over say sbc parts. Alternitively you could work with matching factory parts to get a better performing engine. While admarable you wont prove a point to anyone but yourself and your wallet. This style of engine building has been in existance since the 30s, its also one of the worst. Mix and matching parts has rarely if ever netted the best option for any engine, and if it has it has been done purely by coincidence. If you want to prove a point, prove a point to yourself and accept advice of people who have been arround the block a few times and ditch the olds engine. I have not heard of someone building an olds engine since the 70s, and thats for a reason. Best of luck to you whatever path you take (which Im pritty certain I know which path you will chose already).
 
80Maliboo said:
I take it you are young. Here is some advice regarding your situation, it could save you a lot of time and money. You have a passion for the first v8 car you've owned and want to set the world on fire with it. Gotcha, we've all been there. Unfortunately you have jumped into a relitively heavy smogger car. That means its going to take a lot of time, skill, and/or money to accomplish anything near what you are immagining. Also, you have an oldsmoblie engine. They arent exactly renowned for their performance qualities in decades since the 50's. There is next to no aftermarket for them which means what is available is overpriced and will net a substancially decreased power potential over say sbc parts. Alternitively you could work with matching factory parts to get a better performing engine. While admarable you wont prove a point to anyone but yourself and your wallet. This style of engine building has been in existance since the 30s, its also one of the worst. Mix and matching parts has rarely if ever netted the best option for any engine, and if it has it has been done purely by coincidence. If you want to prove a point, prove a point to yourself and accept advice of people who have been arround the block a few times and ditch the olds engine. I have not heard of someone building an olds engine since the 70s, and thats for a reason. Best of luck to you whatever path you take (which Im pritty certain I know which path you will chose already).
thanks. im working twards a 350 (chevy) eventually. but im not planning on spending more than 600 on the 307. whatever i get out of it i get. it will be a fun project. but i know its probally a waste of time.
 
80Maliboo said:
FYI in the world of performance anything that is arround 1.2-1.5 hp per cube is considered MILD.

Wow, so a 600hp 400 small block is mild. And I guess that would make a ten second car slow too, right?
 
Nobody said you can't make power with the 307 (400HP as stated has been done) only that it is not cost effective or make sense in any other way. Generally the bang for the buck, simplest, original looking all accessories etc is to upgrade to an Olds 350/403. The SBC 1 swap makes the most sense economically etc after that but some people don't want to be like everyone else and or just want more than an sbc and cheap n easy isn't the foremost criteria. Ever consider a new Chevy LS series swap or a 455 Olds or 500 Caddy or. Just wondering.
 
dogshit said:
Nobody said you can't make power with the 307 (400HP as stated has been done) only that it is not cost effective or make sense in any other way. Generally the bang for the buck, simplest, original looking all accessories etc is to upgrade to an Olds 350/403. The SBC 1 swap makes the most sense economically etc after that but some people don't want to be like everyone else and or just want more than an sbc and cheap n easy isn't the foremost criteria. Ever consider a new Chevy LS series swap or a 455 Olds or 500 Caddy or. Just wondering.
have considered it, but it doesnt seem too bad to upgrade my 307, i have 2 complete motors, aanother set of good heads. bigger badder valves. and income, so i think it will be cool to see what i can do.
 
i'm sorry but what the hell is wrong with olds,i have a 1973 (smogger year) 350 olds making 402 engine horsepower/500 torque,so you cant sit here and say oldsmobile never had performance cars.This engine was in an 86 cutlass drag/street car,gutted interior,3.42 posi rear and slicks and it ran 11's flat.Chevy isnt that only car maker in the world either,yes oldsmobile engines will be expensive for parts and build wise but hell, its an oldsmobile car so it should be an olds engine right?In the 50s olds had the rocket v8 appear,making nowhere as much power as say a 1970 442 with a 455 OLDS v8.Oldsmobile had a great performance margin through the sixties and seventies and they had good reliable engines,very durable.Oldsmobile added nickel content to the iron in the blocks which makes them built to a higher quality.You also cant say a 455 stock isnt a good performance engine in a g unless you're a damn idiot,nonetheless a built up 455...Now a 307 on the other hand aint worth jack sh*t,90 rear wheel horsepower is imbarrassing,especially with 2.something gears,and yes a 307 can produce 435 engine horsepower,but expect to pay out of the *ss,i think it'd be very unique,but going with a 330-455 olds is cheaper than modifying a 145 horsepower 307.My cutlass salon had a rebuilt 307,making 200 horsepower with it being bored 40 over and having a spruced up dui ignition,ported heads and a richer ccc qjet,but why spend that money on a 307.For 200 horsepower,expect to pay,having one built up for 435 horsepower,dream on.
 
Minion1186 said:
i'm sorry but what the hell is wrong with olds,i have a 1973 (smogger year) 350 olds making 402 engine horsepower/500 torque,so you cant sit here and say oldsmobile never had performance cars.This engine was in an 86 cutlass drag/street car,gutted interior,3.42 posi rear and slicks and it ran 11's flat.Chevy isnt that only car maker in the world either,yes oldsmobile engines will be expensive for parts and build wise but hell, its an oldsmobile car so it should be an olds engine right?In the 50s olds had the rocket v8 appear,making nowhere as much power as say a 1970 442 with a 455 OLDS v8.Oldsmobile had a great performance margin through the sixties and seventies and they had good reliable engines,very durable.Oldsmobile added nickel content to the iron in the blocks which makes them built to a higher quality.You also cant say a 455 stock isnt a good performance engine in a g unless you're a damn idiot,nonetheless a built up 455...Now a 307 on the other hand aint worth jack sh*t,90 rear wheel horsepower is imbarrassing,especially with 2.something gears,and yes a 307 can produce 435 engine horsepower,but expect to pay out of the *ss,i think it'd be very unique,but going with a 330-455 olds is cheaper than modifying a 145 horsepower 307.My cutlass salon had a rebuilt 307,making 200 horsepower with it being bored 40 over and having a spruced up dui ignition,ported heads and a richer ccc qjet,but why spend that money on a 307.For 200 horsepower,expect to pay,having one built up for 435 horsepower,dream on.
im not shooting for 435, im saying it can be done. im gonna try all the tricks i can, (milled heads, 2.02 1.60 valves with the exhaust turned down to 1.50, deck the block, thin gaskets.) just cheap tricks to see what i can do.
 
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