what is the most inexpensive way to add more power to my sb 350?

Answer 1

cam swap. i like a rv grind. keeps it still a pleasure to drive on the street. intake , carb, headers. some fine tunning and that should do it

Answer 2

I agree with the timing and general tuning. Index the spark plugs and use proper gap and heat range, maybe a new set of wires. Forget the Nitrous, if your engine isn't up-to-it it will end up costing you more than you want. Besides, what happens when it runs out??? Don't forget that the pulleys that you use to run your water pump, alt., power steering and such, all rob power. You can gain a few hp's by changing the pulley sizes. Or just change the crank pulley, this will under drive them all, even your water pump, so use caution there. Also, an electric water pump conversion, a cheap conversion is about $50 and can gain about 5 hp. The type of oil you use can also free up a few ponies. Air filter and air intake is another area. Just the design of the air intake can also free up hp and make a vehicle run smoother. You want the ram air effect here, not turbulent air flow. So many ways of free or cheap hp. Don't forget the fuel filter. My suggestion would be to port and polish the heads, yourself, buy a cam and intake set-up for what you may need, and get a set of headers, time, tune and do what you can with the rest as you can afford it. As long as you have your heads off, replace the head gasket with a high quality but thin as you can go type, this with slightly, slightly raise c/r, but if it costs the same as another head gasket, we call call this free hp. Good luck. Oh yeah, the racing stripe idea and coffee can exhaust, I totally agree!!!!

Answer 3

REally you first have to determine what you have. Alot of individual have recomneded that you change camshafts, timing and or add nitrous, but if you have a 88 or newer it is fuel injected and those things cannot be changed without affecting the ECU. IF it is older(carburated) then you have alot of options, from a simple timing adjustment to a new engine, but any good engine builder will tell you that the secret to any good solid performance add on is aimed at getting more air and fuel into the engine and getting it out(as effeciently as possible)
So that means colder(denser) intake charge(new K&N filter or ramair/cold air intake system)

You will see your bigest improvement in gas milage and power through your exhaust, good full length headers with free flowing exhaust high flow cats and less restrictive muflers.

You want more than this add in a high energy ignition(chevy came with an HEI ignition from like 73-74 on) but you can add an MSD box, with new larger sized wires and hotter plugs

You still want more...
Check the compression of the engine and start replacing components, camshaft, cylinder heads, intake manifold, carburator.

And if it is fuel injected that is a whole other topic! Remember Speed Cost Money, how fast can you afford to go?

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Answer 4

Nitrous Oxide. A dry system can add 50 - 100 horsepower. Any more and you may risk breaking parts. These go for $300 - $500.

If your engine is in very good condition, You could use a wet nitrous system. These will add 100 - 250+ horsepower. These go for $450 - $600+ You will have a good chance of breaking parts with one of these, but you will have a lot of fun in the process.
Search the Summit Racing website for Nitrous

Answer 5

Its not the least expensive way, but I think the best, would be to get a new camshaft, You can get one that will add more torque, and horsepower. Parts for a small block chevy are quite inexpensive, and there are alot of options. A cam for, a towing application might be in the ball park of what you are looking for.

Answer 6

i own a repair shop,and really it all depends on what you have in it right now,if its stock you can increase the timing a dew degrees and help it some,and a good set of headers will increase it about 25 horsepower,and a good cold air intake system will give it another 10,,there's no limit to what you can do to it,,other than what your budget will allow you to do,,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 7

Increase the timing by 2 degrees and increase the spark plug gap by 5 thousandths.

Answer 8

50 hp nitrous $250 & up
headers $100
cam $150
intake and carb $400
Used parts from ebay

Answer 9

headers and low restriction exhaust, most bang for the buck, 4 barrel performance carb and manifold will help but more expensive

Answer 10

1. fuel filter, they do wonders
2. look at www.superchips.com
3. try higher octane gas and some octane booster.
4. k&n air filter
5. try ebays chips if you're really experimental