Thread: Horsepower?

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I need some help with a horsepower question. I'm putting together plans for a '32 Ford, fiberglass body, 350 SBC, 700R4 transmission, 3.70 gear (approx). What kind of horsepower will I need to really move this light weight car, guessing 2400 to 2600 lbs? I'm not talking about the drag strip, but a really strong street car without overkill. What horsepower will I need to smoke the tires from a standing start and still be a streetable daily driver? Having never owned anything considered to be a powerful engine, I'm at a loss to pull a number out of the air. Top end and high RPM's do not interest me. I'm thinking more about bottom end and strong low RPM torque. Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated....

then you need to look at TQ not hp so hp will go out the window a hi tq engine is what you want and it will not take much of a 350 to move it RV cam dual plane intake 9to1 cr or a bit more a good re built 350 with a good set of heads and EX would do just fine

A 350 SB Chevy with 350-375 HP and around 400-420 FTlbs of Torque . This will get the job done nicely and not break the drive train . Also you will have lots of power to do burn outs on demand . COOL

The 5.0 mustangs are in the 220 to 250 hp range stock and about that weight or more and feel real sporty and will burn the tires.
I would say in the 325 to 350 hp would be plenty ,but yet still drive like normal ,have a nice sounding idle ,plus will get relativly good gas mileage.

I would think, any stock 350 with a 4bl & headers, and up will work nice, it's just up to you how much you want to add from there.

I have a problem leaving things stock!

Pat

With that 700R and that 370 gear . You dont want it to mild . The 9.5.1 C/R is COOL . But the Camshaft would be good at 218 to 224 dur at .050 and 455 to 480 lift 110 L/S .

mild is ok the weight and any gear he could be looking for a loose stall that is why i woul build it for MAX TQ

Mild would be better with a 323 to 342 gear . That 370 even with the OD trans gets up to 5000 RPM before you will know it . And with that 307 first gear and that 370 gear ? Better to move the Torque up a bit on the RPM range .

just rember that the 700r with a low gear and lite car with any cam could want to buck at a stop light so more stall could be needed that why i would think he would get more out of a TQ engine who care if it makes 320/350 HP them are for bragging it is the TQ first the HP is after the fact

Someday (when?) I will get my 350 started when I get the exhaust system on. But it sounds like I have what this guy wants. A rebuilt 350, 0.030" overbore, Crane replica of 300 HP cam, Performer intake, Edlebrock 650CFM carb and ceramic coated shorty headers with 1.6 ratio rocker arms. This is in front of a 700R4 and an 8" rear with 3.55 gears, all in a fiberglass '29 roadster probably at 2600 pounds. From what Pat said the 3.55 rear gear ought to be just right? The 1.6 rocker arms should give more lift but with the near stock timing of the 300 HP 327 and favor low rpm torque? The "882" GM heads have had a three-angle valve job, Z28 springs, polished exhaust ports and have been shaved to give 70 cc pockets with stock "eyebrow" pistons. The HP may only be 275 but the torque and gearing should be pretty good for a light car. Let's not forget the price of gas, so I am hoping for over 20 mpg, maybe 25?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

that would be how i would build it don should run great