i have a 71 malibu with a 350, 4 barrel and "3/4" cam are the only thing really that arent stock on it. Its a th350 and i like to manually shift, on my stock tach the DANGER level starts at about 5500. What would you guys suggest to stay under rpms wise. thanks

I would think 5,500rpm's is about max also. That's not with stock valve springs is it? I would sure feel better with some "Z28" springs or the equivalent. Some people can buzz stock bottom ends to 6,500rpm's but they prolly don't do it often and they are taking there chances!

How many miles on the engine? 5500 might be all you want to spin it to, although with a "3/4 cam", you might be tempted to wring it out.

A function of engine tolerances and valvesprings really. Force loads on components get hairy after around 6500 or so.

My bottom end consists of stock rods, hyper pistons, and a cast crank. Of course it's balanced. I've hit 6500 with it many times. Even wound it up to 7000 once (didn't upshift out of first quick enough).

But now that I have an ignition with a limiter, I have it set at 6000. If the MSD had come with a 6200 chip, I'd have used it instead.

It's fun when your engine will let you wind it up! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I would very often spin the 327 I had up to 6K plus.....even hit 8k once or twice. The bottom end consisted of cast pistons (.030 over), stock rods, steel crank....I don't believe it was balanced. My top end wasn't stock at all though, so I guess that's not similiar to yours.
Top half = performer RPM heads, performer intake, 600carb, mild cam idle - 5500. Didn't know about the cam at the time or else I wouldn't have wound it up that high....no point. I'd say you wouldn't want to go past 5500.....there's really no point on a mild engine. Just my .02

Better take it easy, or you could be walking home.

Originally posted by cjlandry:
My bottom end consists of stock rods, hyper pistons, and a cast crank. Of course it's balanced. I've hit 6500 with it many times. Even wound it up to 7000 once I agree with Chad. I've also got a stock 350 lower end. 010 2-bolt block with stock cast crank, rods, and stock cast flat-top pistons. I put in a giant cam (too big actually...) and I have 4.66 gears. I cruise the highways at 4000 rpm and at the track I shift the 4 speed anywhere between 6000 and 6800. (up to 18 passes per track outing!!) I've done this for several years, and the engine was pretty old before I even messed with it!

I'd say his valvetrain will limit his rpms. Whenever the valves start to float, or the power drops off will be it.

Disclaimer: I don't necessarily recommend revving stock bottom ends to the moon....but I haven't had any trouble because of it. Maybe I'm lucky, or the magazine article I read was right "stock SB chev 2-bolt lower ends are good to 7000" smile.gif

chris

i have in the past myself run those little 350 to 7000 rpms with bone stock bottom ends.......and right now two of my racing buddy's run them straight to 7000 rpms and i built there motors.......bottom ends are stock with cheapo 11 to 1 claimer cast pistons.........and these two guys run the crap out of there cars on an almost daily basis as long as its not ranning or snowing.........right now i have another friend who is building a 350 and he is going to swing that sucker to 7500 rpms......we will see how long that one will last........but i feel safe at 7000 rpms thou.......just talking from experience still waiting to break a motor after 13 years of building them.........