Performance 307 build!!

[KrisW]

You don't HAVE to be a first timer, if that engine combo really exists. I admit I have been overseas for a while now, so I am not exactly up on the latest (or former) engine masters challenge participants. But if they built that combo and dynoed it for the whole world to see, then the case has been made. I have no problem whatsoever replicating someone else's good idea!

I have never seen a 350 with windowed webs, that is why I wasn't going to say for sure. I know all my 80's engines had them, but I somehow never got my hands on one of the late 70's 350 engines. I have had a 403 and a 260 from that era, the rest of my Olds V8s were pre-1975. Thanks for the heads up on that.

I will try to get the back issue for that build so that I can keep it on file. I am interested in copying that setup, and I encourage the other 307 people to do it as well.

I wonder if that dyno engine had a girdle? I also wonder if I would really need a forged crank. I bet if I used a good pre-1975 crank it would be just fine.

Good info here; this should be just what the doctor ordered to hop up everyone's 307.

 

[Oldstech]

Have you read the article yet? They used a J&S Halo gridle BTW. Yall dont realize many hours, and how much machine work they did. Here is a quote from the article "I've got about 10 pounds of epoxy in that motor between the heads and the intake manifold." The heads arnt Olds heads. Not after that much work. Please read the article and choose your battles.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0 ... brock.html

I know your not trying to get 400hp. But your trying to copy to build that way out of your league.

 

[88hurstolds]

The sad part is my $350 beater 455 will probably smoke that motor...
or close to it to say the least.

For the same amount of money for the build up a 455 will bolt right in with MINIMAL modifications, I did mine on a budget of $600 or so...

http://78-88olds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99

 

[Minion1186]

i have two windowed 350 blocks,both 1973 year blocks,there isnt a girdle on the 402hp 350 either,my power band ends at 5 grand,i wouldnt go over 6000 with this engine,its not built for high rpm use and neither is its power band,its built for low rpm and mid range power,i think its a good combo for a drag car...

 

[dan2286]

I love how every one says how this is such a bad idea No wonder he stopped posting in this thread. The 200 hp he is trying to get out of a 307 is not that unrealistic. He knows there is better options and he may be "throwing away" money, but if it makes him happy, then who cares? Why not try to offer some helpful advice, besides choose another engine?

 

[KrisW]

I would like to say thanks for the link to the engine article in PHR. I will keep it in my archives.

Why are you so intimidated by machine work? or epoxy? There is nothing out of any of our leagues here, especially if you have a formula that was successful to duplicate.

I am highly encouraging people to do this because the 307 is much easier to pick up from cragslist than a 455.

I love "run what you got" type of stuff.

 

[Oldstech]

I would like to say thanks for the link to the engine article in PHR. I will keep it in my archives.

Why are you so intimidated by machine work? or epoxy? There is nothing out of any of our leagues here, especially if you have a formula that was successful to duplicate.

I am highly encouraging people to do this because the 307 is much easier to pick up from cragslist than a 455.

I love "run what you got" type of stuff.

Alright, its not out of your league. But for the amount of time you will spend. The 307 isnt worth it. Im all for building a 307. I do. I learn from my mistake. Compression and head work are the key. And I skiped on both. Being way I only chassis dyno at 166hp. But I built that engine when I was 17. So what did I know. But I know you can hit 200hp long has to up the CR and did some work on the heads

The 455 are pretty easy to come back. You just have to post WTB threads. And look on craigslist. I traded my 166hp 307 for a 1975 455 running. The guy cranked it up. We let it run for about 5 mins. He turned it off. We pulled the 455. And dropped my 307 in its place. And we left. He wanted his car back on the comp and needed a good 307. And needed help with the swap. It cost me about $50 in gas and a couple of hours of time. But I will ameant I was lucky.

 

[jrm81bu]

Well unless any of us have a flow bench and countless hours to test every change made with epoxy and porting, then ya its out of our league.

 

[DrRansom442]

You don't HAVE to be a first timer, if that engine combo really exists. I admit I have been overseas for a while now, so I am not exactly up on the latest (or former) engine masters challenge participants. But if they built that combo and dynoed it for the whole world to see, then the case has been made. I have no problem whatsoever replicating someone else's good idea!.

OK, it CAN be done, but you only have part of the reciepe. I doubt you can just call them and have them walk you through the secrets of what they did step by step. That's just bad business practice.The whole idea of competing is to prove what you can do. I am sure THEY would build you a 400 plus horsepower 307, but charge you cubic dollars to do so. The guys competing represent the best of the best ... so the idea that someone with less experience can take a small list of parts and duplicate what probably took hours of research and LOTS of money in machine work - sorry I think you are going to come up WAY short. Prior owners of my 81 had the 260 rebuilt and spent well over a grand in machine work - why? no one knows ... in the end it was still just a lazy 260 and any increases in power certainly were not noticible. The 87 I had with a bone stock 307 would have run circles around it .... not to mention the 350 I spent ALOT LESS money on.
Now the OP's plan - very feesible, probably won't require too much R&D as the goals are NOT all that lofty. My view though still remains .... why spend the $$$ on a 307, when a basic rebuild of a 350 will likely net these same results. If it were an emmissions compliance issue - sure - go for it. If it's just to prove something - it's been done and no one doubts the validity of a 200 horse 307. If it's personal satisfaction by all means "do it", but I don't see suggesting a 350 as a "negative" reply.

 

[STL84Calais]

Reading this ongoing thread reminded me of something I've seen before. There is a company out there called Performance Unlimited that will build you a reliable 300-325hp Olds 307. Obviously it's a little pricey, but about $6000 for a turn-key crate motor isn't unheard of. http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... _400HP.htm