Author Topic: New truck best hp guess  (Read 11528 times)

Offline Gusgusa1

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New truck best hp guess
« 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
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #1 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?
« Last Edit: May 17, 2015, 09:58:36 am by Gusgusa1 »
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2015, 02:20:02 pm »
Anyone?
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline enaberif

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #3 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.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #4 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
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #5 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
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #6 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.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2015, 04:22:44 pm by Gusgusa1 »
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #7 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
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline rich weyand

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #8 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.
Rich

"Working Girl": 1978 K-10 RCSB 350/TH350/NP203 +2/+3 Tuff Country lift

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #9 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.

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #10 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. 
« Last Edit: May 17, 2015, 05:50:28 pm by Gusgusa1 »
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline rich weyand

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #11 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.
Rich

"Working Girl": 1978 K-10 RCSB 350/TH350/NP203 +2/+3 Tuff Country lift

Offline enaberif

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #12 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.

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #13 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?
« Last Edit: May 18, 2015, 12:32:19 pm by Gusgusa1 »
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool

Offline Gusgusa1

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Re: New truck best hp guess
« Reply #14 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.
2002 gmc 1500hd 6.0 4x4
1987 gmc Sierra classic 1500 350ss 4x4
1986 silverado 350 4x4
1984 scottsdale 305 quad jet 4x4 4spd manual
1982 camaro z28 350 w vortec heads spool