Thread: straight six needs power

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i have a 1981 Chevy c10 with 4.1 lt. straight 6. Im wondering if this engine is worthy of a little more power or if its not worth it. if it is I’d like to hear of some tips, moderate to the RADICAL.

It's beggin' for a 4-71 blower.

There's lots of straight six performance parts out there but truthfully they're more for nostagia and show than for making really big power. You'll always make more power for less money with a V8. But they're great engines, just the same. Put on a 2 x 2 intake, a header, and dress it up. It'll make a cool conversation piece in an 81 pickup.

anyone know of any good websites for straight 6 performance parts

1981 is about when GM was putting those heads with an integral intake on their sixes. If yours is like that, you'll need another head before the hop-up stuff will fit. An early 230 head has tighter chambers, giving a CR boost.

a 194 head also works with the 250, and will increase the compression. GM started those integral intakes in '79 or '80 I belive. For that engine, Clifford research is probably the best, but it will cost. Speedway motors sells basic intake and headders.

I would run a properly sized Turbo. a Holset HX 35 would be just about right and they came in some diesel pickups, but you have to get the non variable vane version

Unless your stuck on the uniqueness of a six, probably can build a 350 for less and outperform the six...... Guess it all depends on what you're after...

There is a 600 HP 250 CI 6cyl '68 Camero that runs drag races, but it's not streetable. I put $6k into my Falcon 6cyl, to rebuild ( with a few hard to get aftermarket parts ) and turbocharge. needing a complete new fuel system and ignition system along with the custom built engine. I did all the assembly myself, and machining cost $250. and it's still not completed, HP guestimate is 280-320 HP at the crank when it's done, but I'm still $3-500 away from having a drivable car, and $1k away or so from having it completly finished.. Now, I wouldn't do another 6cyl to that extreme but I certinly don't regret taking on the build. Everybody will take notice to a hopped up 6cyl.. everybody knows I'm the 1 with the hotrod Falcon, and it hasn't been on the road since I rebuilt the engine. a lot of the people I don't even know. A lot of people heard me breaking in the cam on Graduation day. My towns asst postmaster has a '55 Thunderbird that she drives regularly. She saw all the packages I had coming in from Ford Six Performance Parts. she knew I was up to somthing and always asked about the car ( she knew I had it )

sounds like a really sweat ride