Top End Kit

[ToreyC]

I have a 350 out of a 76 chevy that i am going to rebuild and put in my 81 chevy. I'm hoping to get about 450 h.p out of this engine. I was looking on the internet tonight and came across an Edelbrock top end kit for a 350 that has been dyno-matched and tested to push 435 h.p and 435 ft. lbs. torque. What i'm wondering is if anyone else has purchased one of these kits and if they like them. It seems like a reasonable deal, but i want to make sure it's all worth the money. This truck is going to be a daily driver, but i want to know there is some power to it when i get on it. Any help would be appreciated!

[1979C20]

From what people have said on the forum, if you rebuild just the top end and the motor is tired, then the bottom end will go out soon after because the fresh top end holds more pressure and produces more power than the original top end the has worn out the same as the bottom. So, if your rebuilding the top end, I'd refurb the bottom end so it holds up. As far as the kit, ive never looked into them so I dont know what kind of results it would produce. Good luck with the build!

[ToreyC]

From what people have said on the forum, if you rebuild just the top end and the motor is tired, then the bottom end will go out soon after because the fresh top end holds more pressure and produces more power than the original top end the has worn out the same as the bottom. So, if your rebuilding the top end, I'd refurb the bottom end so it holds up. As far as the kit, ive never looked into them so I dont know what kind of results it would produce. Good luck with the build!

I should have explained myself a little better. I appologize. I am going to send the block to a machine shop and have it worked and cleaned up. I'm still debating on weather i'm going to replace the pistons or not. I feel like i should, and that was going to be my next question...what kind of pistons should i use if i was going to put this top end on the engine. I do plan on having it all refubed though. Thanks for the input.

[Captkaos]

Supporting 450hp and making 450hp is 2 different things.
Read the descriptions on the packages and what they tested it on.  If you don't have the same, you results won't be the same.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/power_package/tek_chevy.shtml

[1980c10]

Find yourself a C/R calculator online. Make sure your numbers are correct to determine pistons. I haven't looked but I am guessing the heads are 63cc heads therefore flat top (non dished) pistons would get you close. Also verify with your engine guy before you buy.

[bake74]

     1979c20 is correct, putting something strong coupled with something that is worn out is a recipe for failure almost every time.

[ToreyC]

Thanks for the input. Like i said, i am going to rebuild the bottom end as well. I will look a little deeper into the kit to see if i can figure out how it'll work for my engine. I am also going to go down to a well known engine shop locally and pic their brain about it a little bit to. Who knows, he may have one built that he would sell me. Once again, thanks for the input guys.

[Engineer]

I have had EXCELLENT service from Sealed Power (Speed Pro) hyperutectic pistons (P/Ns begin with H).

Built a few engines using them. Very stable, not a full-on race piston, but perfect for street/strip builds.

[frotosride]

Just a little more to put in the "think about this jar"... like Captkaos said check this package further before setteling. The conditions of their test mean little in the real world if you can't reproduce them. Also, something more inportant to you and relavent to your truck is operating RPM. Who cares if this kit makes that much power if it's in an rpm range that you will rarely ever see or use. I'm not sure what the gross weight of your truck is but if it's anything similar to the other air plows here and you are not drag racing it this kit will be useless to you especially if you have an auto trans and don't  plan on changing the converter to a higher stall.