quick easy and cheap power additions/modifications

[cflier112]

First time posting here... Running a 76 c10 with a 454 and a t400 looking for quick easy and cheap ways to squeeze some power out of her and make some modifications to help her run better and look a little nicer. Obviously there won't be to much but on a bit of a strict budget for the time being... Any suggestions?

[bake74]

     First off welcome to the site.  If you are on a budget, the best thing you can do to make it run better is a through tune up.  Not just the spark plugs and wires, but the distributor, the carb. all of it to make sure it is running the best it can. 
     Then depending on where you live and what is allowed to your truck, performance parts can make more power, which in turn if you drive it conservatively it can net more MPG. 
     But you did not really say what your end goal was or what kind of budget you are willing to have, so it is hard to tell you what would benefit you the most.

[cflier112]

End goal will be a motor rebuild with 500hp at wheels, with a 200hp shot of nitrous. Should be a show truck/memorial project that I'm not afraid to take to the drag strip

[bake74]

     To get 500 rwhp you will need roughly 625 engine hp.  That kind of hp does not come quick, easy, or cheap.  You will also nee to think ahead of time for support of frame and engine/transmission mounts, and rear end support.
     A 454 is capable of producing in upwards of 650+ hp with standard hydraulic-rollers instead of solid rollers on pump gas.  See this article on a shootout between a Ford 460, Chevy 454, and Mopar 440.  Might surprise you.           
     http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/0110_phr_bb/
     I think what you want to do is sit down and make up a good plan and what/how to go about it to get there.  I think the small things you will be doing in the mean time is going to be for your driving enjoyment more than your end goal.  Have you thought about anything like forced induction or turbo's in the future to get the hp you will need to get to 625 ?

[cflier112]

Currently toying with the idea of twin turbos. There will be a 200hp shot of nitrous on the machine. Havnt been doing much other than general maintenance and would like to do a few things in the meantime to make her run a little better, and have some fun. Maybe some cosmetic upgrades as well. I realize that there may not be a whole lot I can do in the current situation but hoping someone will have some suggestions.

[Irish_Alley]

idk what happened to my post before but i said "fast, cheap and reliable; you can only pick two”

[FlatBlack77]

what Irish said.

also

to have that kind of power you are talking alot of money. for your truck to be able to handle that power you are going to have to spend more money on top of that first wad.

you should just start with small things. get the carb situation tuned in(i dont know what you  are running). maybe an intake manifold, exhaust, properly time the engine(can make a huge difference if its not timed correctly), maybe get a shift kit or stall converter.

all these upgrades together can make a big difference. specially if the truck is on the weathered side and has a leaky carb old exhaust ect. plus for the most part they will be useful later on when you are really going for those big power numbers

[Stewart G Griffin]

What rearend ratio do you have?

[cflier112]

Just to clear things up, I understand the end result is expensive. For now any modifications are all short term. Currently looking at shift kits from B&M and possibly a small nitrous kit. Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions.

[Displaced_Txn]

ls motor swap might be an easier way to go if you plan on running turbos and then have he ability to tune it for street, strip or just driving.
and agree with irish you can have 2  but one  will bite you in the long run.