[coffmeistro]

I have a 71 Chevelle Coupe (non ss). It has a fairly older 350 and a 350 Tranny. I have a huge list of things i want to do it, but was wondering if anyone had any advise when buying the cheapest parts for the most horsepower. The usual stuff, ie: headers, exhaust, ignition, intake...etc. Which ones should i go with first? Also, does anyone know which size of carbeurator i should get for this 350 for the best performance/ driveability? Any tips would be greatly appreciative, outside of the car is done, now its time to hit the motor. Basically want to get the most HP out of this basically stock 350 and still keep it a daily driver. Also when it comes to a new intake manifold, i need some specific suggestions as to what type would be best for this motor, same with the carb. Sorry to ask for so much, but just trying to get organized before forking out a grand or more for parts that do not help. Thank you for your time, and i appreciate any good suggestions.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I have a 71 Chevelle Coupe (non ss). It has a fairly older 350 and a 350 Tranny. I have a huge list of things i want to do it, but was wondering if anyone had any advise when buying the cheapest parts for the most horsepower. The usual stuff, ie: headers, exhaust, ignition, intake...etc. Which ones should i go with first? Also, does anyone know which size of carbeurator i should get for this 350 for the best performance/ driveability? Any tips would be greatly appreciative, outside of the car is done, now its time to hit the motor. Basically want to get the most HP out of this basically stock 350 and still keep it a daily driver. Also when it comes to a new intake manifold, i need some specific suggestions as to what type would be best for this motor, same with the carb. Sorry to ask for so much, but just trying to get organized before forking out a grand or more for parts that do not help. Thank you for your time, and i appreciate any good suggestions.

check out summit, jegs ,etc. look for1 5/8 headers, 2 1/4 exhaust dual , nice hei distributor, a performer manifold and either q-jet ,edelbrock 600 , holley 600 vacuum secondary = the q-jet will outmileage the others . a little 260ish cam ,and your good to go ! this is all in line with a 300hp engine.

 

[coffmeistro]

Oh thanks for the tips. Also do you think that going with a aftermarket roller timing chain is worth the money. Ive heard that going with that gives up to 100 hp!! I dont believe it but, what do you think?

 

[Jason Snyder]

Oh thanks for the tips. Also do you think that going with a aftermarket roller timing chain is worth the money. Ive heard that going with that gives up to 100 hp!! I dont believe it but, what do you think?

a timing chain doesnt make horsepower ,it drives the cam and crank . your thinking of a roller camshaft . anyway a double roller chain is a good thing to have over the old nylon ones . but you wont see any more power form it .

 

[Mikeys69]

a timing chain doesnt make horsepower ,it drives the cam and crank . your thinking of a roller camshaft . anyway a double roller chain is a good thing to have over the old nylon ones . but you wont see any more power form it .

out: ..lol

 

[coffmeistro]

Thanks red, i appreciate that. But how am i supposed to learn these things like you did when you first started, if people like you think its funny and dont want to truly help other guys with chevelle's. Thanks for your two cents, move on.

 

[Jebchevelle]

I have a 71 Chevelle Coupe (non ss). It has a fairly older 350 and a 350 Tranny. I have a huge list of things i want to do it, but was wondering if anyone had any advise when buying the cheapest parts for the most horsepower. The usual stuff, ie: headers, exhaust, ignition, intake...etc. Which ones should i go with first? Also, does anyone know which size of carbeurator i should get for this 350 for the best performance/ driveability? Any tips would be greatly appreciative, outside of the car is done, now its time to hit the motor. Basically want to get the most HP out of this basically stock 350 and still keep it a daily driver. Also when it comes to a new intake manifold, i need some specific suggestions as to what type would be best for this motor, same with the carb. Sorry to ask for so much, but just trying to get organized before forking out a grand or more for parts that do not help. Thank you for your time, and i appreciate any good suggestions.

call or look for gunner @ patriot performance and get one of his top end kits. you will then have a matched intake cam and heads. then all you need to do is get a set of cheap summit headers and a eddy carb he suggests this is the cheapest way I know of to get matched parts and yes summit and jegs and other mail order companies have top end kits but here is why I say see gunner. he will be the cheapest and if you want to keep it at a grand or less and still get close to 350hp out of it that well thats about the only way I see you doing it. here is a link to gunners website.
https://www.patriot-performance.com/xcart/home.php?cat=85 I would call him I do believe he gives discounts to team chevelle members. as for dist. I would just get a HEI style dist from summit or other brand with vac adv. low buck nothing special needed for a street car. just my 2 cents.

 

[Jebchevelle]

check out summit, jegs ,etc. look for1 5/8 headers, 2 1/4 exhaust dual , nice hei distributor, a performer manifold and either q-jet ,edelbrock 600 , holley 600 vacuum secondary = the q-jet will outmileage the others . a little 260ish cam ,and your good to go ! this is all in line with a 300hp engine.

I agree with the headers and exhaust any cheap priced dual setup will be fine for now. the 600 eddy is a nice street carb for a 350. A 670 street avenger from holley would be my first choice though. they are very easy to tune and they come with everything you need except extra jets to tune it. plus it comes with a very nice instructional video and will allow you to upgrade the motor later. just my 4 cents since I already posted my 2 cents.

 

[coffmeistro]

I agree with the headers and exhaust any cheap priced dual setup will be fine for now. the 600 eddy is a nice street carb for a 350. A 670 street avenger from holley would be my first choice though. they are very easy to tune and they come with everything you need except extra jets to tune it. plus it comes with a very nice instructional video and will allow you to upgrade the motor later. just my 4 cents since I already posted my 2 cents.

Thanks jeb, i appreciate the tips. Now when you say it doesnt come with the extra jets to tune it. How exactly does that work? Would i have to buy the jets and tune it before its properly working? Would you say this is hard to do? But im sure the instructional video will help if you dont feel like explaining. Thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. I know what im doing for the most part just trying to get specific thats all. Thanks

Oh and one more thing to anyone else... Is it okay to run headers to straight pipes? Is there anything i need to look out for. Since i dont have to worry about emissions, its not a big deal other that noise violations. What do you guys think? Better with mufflers? Or not.

 

[Jebchevelle]

Thanks jeb, i appreciate the tips. Now when you say it doesnt come with the extra jets to tune it. How exactly does that work? Would i have to buy the jets and tune it before its properly working? Would you say this is hard to do? But im sure the instructional video will help if you dont feel like explaining. Thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. I know what im doing for the most part just trying to get specific thats all. Thanks

Oh and one more thing to anyone else... Is it okay to run headers to straight pipes? Is there anything i need to look out for. Since i dont have to worry about emissions, its not a big deal other that noise violations. What do you guys think? Better with mufflers? Or not.

I would at least run glasspacks or resonators you need some thing to keep it from back firing. now as for the carb it will be jetted dang close right from the box and will most likely not need any jet changes at that power level. the only changes it may take are vacume pod spring changes to control when the vac secondaries will open they included the three most commen springs and they will be all you will need for this power level. the carb will for the most part be a bolt on and turn the mixture screws and go. the only reason I said about jets is if you upgrade later on dont mean to confus sorry. hope this helps

 

[TrooperY2K]

Coff. Jason has you on the right track. Let's take a look. "Fairly older 350 and 350 trany". $1000.00 or more. Let's say a $1500.00 budget. Without stressing out the "older motor", simple bolt-ons will get you started without breaking the bank/motor. A 600cfm carb (really your choice, I like Holleys, Q-Jets), Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, open element air filter assembly, HEI dist.(again your choice, OEM style is fine), 1 5/8" long tube headers, dual exhaust (2 1/4"-2 1/2") with good breathable mufflers. I take it you're not pulling the motor out of the car. Double roller timing chains are better than stock as they don't stretch easily (no HP benefit, just reliability). As you progress, you can do a cam and lifter swap. Nothing radical. Maybe something with about a 450" lift, 215*-220* duration. Remember "fairly older 350 motor". It may be a good time to install a trans shift kit as well as an adjustable trans vacuum modulator. Do your homework with Summitt and Jeggs. By now you have reached your budget, if you plan on installing these items yourself. Good luck, take your time, and have fun.:thumbsup:

 

[coffmeistro]

Trooper and Jeb. Hey, you guys are life savers! I appreciate you taking your time to explain these things to me. I feel alot more confident now that you guys have passed on your words of wisdom. I have been doing my research on summit and jegs, and due to the reccomendations you gave me, i have a greater outlook on what to do and whats out there. Thank you very much.