Improving 1/4 time

[83HighSierra]

Ok i recently got a small block 357 dropped in my truck. I have a summit stage 3 intake with 093 vortec heads and a quadrajet carb, everything else is stock. I was just wondering what i could possibly do to improve my quarter mile time. My friends are getting camaro's and dropping 350's and 383 in there car i just want to keep up with them. Also what time would yall guess that i would run.

Thanks

[dumbucket1]

drop that motor in a vega to improve your time  all kidding aside if you have highway gears change them out for 3.73 or better. I dont know much about what transmission or rear gears you have in your truck to take any guess at what times you may run.

[Captkaos]

If you want just a random guess, 17's in the quarter.

[HAULIN IT]

You have to be realistic with your expectations. Your friend's with the Camaros, ect. have approximately 800-1000lb. advantage on you, not to mention the aerodynamics, weight bias, ect. You can get the truck going, but look at it this way, with the same powered engine, you could be giving up about a full second in the quarter. You are going to need a bunch more grunt to keep up with your friends!  For starters, Tune the carb & ignition, add headers & a good exhaust, a posi rear with 3.40+ gears & some sticky tires. I'm going to be a little more optimistic than the Capt., I say it will go 16's after a few passes Have Fun! Lorne

[76 k10]

do what i do when my friends do when my friends are faster then me..................i bust out my big blue bottle lol hahahahahaha nothing that a 250 shot wont fix lol

[Fordeatinz71]

or do what i use to do when i had my old truck...ok, we'll race for $100...then we're gonna race again with 5,000 lbs in tow for $1,000. 

that would probably work for ya, i use to have a diesel 4x4 so i'd say we were gonna race for $100 and play tug-o-war for $1,000...lol

[VileZambonie]

Camshaft?
Headers?
Exhaust?
All stock too? 

[83HighSierra]

no there not stock...
its a brand new zz4 vortec crate engine
i have a comp cam 280AH
flowtech headers (no exhaust yet)
quadrajet carb
093 vortec heads with double valve springs

[Captkaos]

now your are getting more specific..  High 15's off the bat.

[VileZambonie]

What do you have for an ignition system?

[83HighSierra]

temprarily i have a stock distributer. i dont have any msd or anything because i dont know exactly what to get or how to install it.

oh by the way i also have a th350 tranny.

[VileZambonie]

Well don't overlook your ignition system. An MSD distributor, coil & module makes a HUGE difference.

[85shorty496]

83 Highsierra, a stall converter and and some slicks or drag radials will net you your largest improvements IMHO. a 2400-2800 stall converter and depending on what you have for rear gears 26-28" DR/slicks will help immensely. no real need for fancy aftermarket ignition at this stage of the game. a rev limiter would be nice, but ignition components are some of the most overated upgrades available. your stock HEI w/ good cap + rotor and properly gapped plugs will easily handle what you got. I was well into the 13's before I added a box and I only did it for the rev limiter. that cam will defitely require a stall to keep it from being a dog out of the hole. your q-jet might also hold you back if it can't flow enough, but properly set-up should be fine. good luck and post your results of your next 1/4 mile outing.

[VileZambonie]

no real need for fancy aftermarket ignition at this stage of the game. a rev limiter would be nice, but ignition components are some of the most overated upgrades available. your stock HEI w/ good cap + rotor and properly gapped plugs will easily handle what you got.

I disagree

The ignition system is one of THE most overlooked upgrades people miss out on. Once you upgrade the ignition system you won't believe the improvements you will see. I've tweaked GM HEI's every which way you can imagine. When I purchased my 1st MSD distributor, coil and module I was blown away at the difference. Seeing is believing. Every hi po build I do now gets a total ignition system makeover. Sure an HEI can be improved but they simply aren't designed for performance.

[static22]

This is going to be obvious but your buddies with the Camaros have a huge weight advantage over us truck guys. So, find your fastest Camaro buddy and add to his performance package. Any idea how much power your making currently? If money was no object I think it would be fun to twin turbo a set up. There is certainly enough room under our hoods for it with a little left for a picnic table.

The only thing I have learned is the cheaper headers (I have them) can reduce the flow of the motor which along with the trans and gears is the name of the game to making power. I think you will find the carb will need to be replaced as well. Quads are good but they do have a limit unless you have someone who REALLY knows them.