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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: Gusgusa1 on May 16, 2015, 06:50:15 pm

Title: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 16, 2015, 06:50:15 pm
I just got a truck from a lady whose husband sadly passed away, she turned down so many offers but picked me to sell it to.
It's an 87 k10. 350tbi, throttle body spacer, headers, and I believe it has an rv cam.  Wondering what kind of horse power it could ve putting out.
Sounds mean  ;D
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 16, 2015, 09:37:04 pm
Stock tbi350 - 210hp,
headers  - 5 to 50 hp
Spacer - 10
Cam- ?? Low end

Could I be looking at a 300 hp engine?

Asked her if she remembered what her husband had done to it because diesnt seem like a reg 350. She said she remembered something about it being bigger maybe 400. I am thinking it has the 400 crank. I don't see an external balancer though ( unless I am blind). Is there another way I could tell?
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 17, 2015, 02:20:02 pm
Anyone?
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: enaberif on May 17, 2015, 03:55:50 pm
I'd ball park in the 250 range. Torque will be different and the numbers you want to be after.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 17, 2015, 04:08:47 pm
something else to me rv doesnt mean anything once you start talking to other members about cam numbers you will see why. rich is the one i talk to about cam stuff
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 17, 2015, 04:12:44 pm
and you cant just go off of what the product says it produces and you want tq for our trucks like said. if you start mismatching parts for different power ranges ie a intake for higher rpms and a cam for lower rps you will kind of counter each one
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 17, 2015, 04:18:22 pm
I tow allot, 28 foot old travel trailer, 18 foot fibreglass bass boat, possible skidstear ( hope not) a couple times in future.

I know I am looking for torque. Any recommended upgrades I should look into?

Thank you for the responses

Not 100% sure if cammed but does sound like it. I am sure of the other upgrades as they are visible. It also came on 33" tires, with limited slip in the front.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 17, 2015, 04:23:51 pm
if timing is retarded too much it will sound like a cam also. but im going to let rich tell you his set up once he sees this post
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: rich weyand on May 17, 2015, 04:32:25 pm
If it sounds like it has a cam in it, then it isn't an RV or marine cam.  A cam that gives it torque down low means it will idle smo-o-o-oth.  A cam that idles crappy will designate that it is intended for hp up high.  Low end torque may actually be less than stock.  Best would be if you can find out what cam it has in it.

Failing that, you can just replace the cam.  They're about $200 once you count in the lifter replacement (which you MUST make when you replace a cam), but about $1000 in shop time at $75 an hour.

If it is an RV/marine cam, with headers and stock manifold, you are probably getting 260-280 hp and approaching 400 lbft of torque.

You should also figure out what rear-end ratio you have.  For towing, you probably want shorter tires.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on May 17, 2015, 05:34:07 pm
Probably 210 hp.

Recommended upgrades?   Not to be a jerk, but maybe a 3/4 or 1 ton truck;  A friend of mine just seized her rear axle.  She frequently tows (tries to) a 16 utility trailer (frequently fully loaded) and i think that was the problem.  This was a dodge ramcharger 4x4.  Granted it was a Chrysler, but their rear axles aren't exactly junk.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 17, 2015, 05:44:45 pm
If the load is too much I will use the 2002 1500hd 4wd with 6.0. You are correct don't want to overwork a nice truck. Would use hard if no other option. Took 10 years to find the truck don't want to wreck it. Prob selling the camper trailer.

Thanks Rich, that makes sense. I also have a more free flowing air cleaner to put on. Not sure it would make much difference but it's good for looks. 
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: rich weyand on May 18, 2015, 01:04:50 am
Be aware that if you replace the stock thermac with the open-element two-chrome-pie-plates gizmo, it will run like crap when it is cold out.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: enaberif on May 18, 2015, 11:47:36 am
Be aware that if you replace the stock thermac with the open-element two-chrome-pie-plates gizmo, it will run like crap when it is cold out.


Upgade to a TBI housing and you'll have the same element size but a better system to draw cool air from the front.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 18, 2015, 12:27:59 pm
Tbi housing? The truck is tbi.

Not sure what you mean.  Do you mean the stock air cleaner?
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 18, 2015, 12:33:23 pm
Be aware that if you replace the stock thermac with the open-element two-chrome-pie-plates gizmo, it will run like crap when it is cold out.

That's the gizmo it came with, still in the box.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: rich weyand on May 19, 2015, 01:19:24 am
Tbi housing? The truck is tbi.

Not sure what you mean.  Do you mean the stock air cleaner?

Yes.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: LTZ C20 on May 19, 2015, 02:51:46 am
Tbi housing? The truck is tbi.

Not sure what you mean.  Do you mean the stock air cleaner?

Yes.
One of the best things I ever did for my engine and over all performance was put the stock air cleaner setup back on. Has made drivability and cold running sooo much better. All thanks to Rich, he cleared up a lot of issues with my truck.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 30, 2015, 08:31:44 pm
Found out that is it is dammed  for sure, light weight pistons and something done with the valves. It's 400 hp Built for high rev hp. Ran a 12 second time at the track and loves to drink up the juice.

Limited slip front and rear, double shocked up front.

Runs great slight throttle, and I mean slight and you're looking for a ticket to police mans ball.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: rich weyand on May 30, 2015, 11:16:38 pm
Found out that is it is dammed  for sure, light weight pistons and something done with the valves. It's 400 hp Built for high rev hp. Ran a 12 second time at the track and loves to drink up the juice.

Yowzah!

Calculator says for 12 second pass with 5000 pounds you need 570 horsepower.

If you "broke into the 12s" (that is, less than 13), it would be 450 hp for 5000# on a 13-second pass.
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 31, 2015, 07:24:03 am
I like your number better. But that is the trucks time. Think this baby will be pampered  8)
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Engineer on May 31, 2015, 08:50:25 am
Pics?
Title: Re: New truck best hp guess
Post by: Gusgusa1 on May 31, 2015, 09:59:48 am
It's the one in my avatar. I bit of a sleeper 8)