72 c10 350 build

[BulldogSS]

I’m putting together a 350 for my c10. Im going to lay out what the truck currently has and also what I’d like to do to the motor. I’d like to get some criticism and/or advise. End goal is to have a dependable motor with tons of torque. The truck is not my daily but I’d like for it to be built with the ability to be. Obviously I want that hotrod rumble but don’t want to sacrifice power where I need it, low rpms, or drivability with a “rough idle” cam.

current motor: 350 stock long block, edelbrock eps intake, STREET demon 625 carb, hei, cheap lt headers

stock comp ratio 8.5:1

Has th400 with stock stall 1700ish, 3:08 open differential

planned upgrades:
1. dart iron eagle vortec heads(1.94/1.50).
175cc/67cc springs up .500 screw in studs

2. vortec intake undecided as to which one performer rpm, street or speed warrior, summit/jegs models, gmpp I know I need dual plane

3. camshaft- something .450-.480 lift(vortec’s won’t flow past this), duration something around [email protected](I think this should keep the rpm range usable) LSA maybe around 110(to maybe get a little chip at idle)

new compression ratio should be 9.3:1 using -11cc piston with 67cc heads .025 deck clearance and .015 shim head gasket.

I already have the heads I’m looking to match the rest of the set up to have usable power. I simply want the truck to be FUN to drive. I have no delusions about this truck being a race car.

I’m open to suggestions. Thanks

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Perhaps this should be moved to the "Other Vehicle Builds" forum?

www.gmt400.com/forums/other-vehicle-builds.62/

 

[kennythewelder]

What your missing is the rear end upgrade. If your not putting the truck on the HWY, a set of 373 s or 410s with an Eaton trutrac will make a lot of difference. That's where the put you back into the seat performance is at.

 

[BulldogSS]

If this post is in the wrong section pleas move where deemed appropriate.
I totally agree a rear end upgrade would be huge for fun factor however the truck does see some highway use and with the th400 and the 3.08s I’m turning 3000-3100 at 70mph. With 3.73 I’d be running 3700 or so. What’s the max rpms to safely run for highway driving. I’d like to be able to do some highway driving.

 

[kennythewelder]

If this post is in the wrong section pleas move where deemed appropriate.
I totally agree a rear end upgrade would be huge for fun factor however the truck does see some highway use and with the th400 and the 3.08s I’m turning 3000-3100 at 70mph. With 3.73 I’d be running 3700 or so. What’s the max rpms to safely run for highway driving. I’d like to be able to do some highway driving.

I already moved the post into this correct forum.

 

[kennythewelder]

Yes without OD the truck will be screaming down the HYW. A stock 350 is good too 5500 RPMs but that noir where you want to be driving it down the HWY at. With my performance built 4L60E and 373s with an Eaton Teutrac I'm turning 2500 RPMs @ 70.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Your Dart heads should accept up to .510" lift. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/drt-10024370a/make/chevrolet

I'd call your favorite cam company and ask for what they recommend. I called Lunati and they spec'ed out a great cam for a torque-reliant truck. It rumbles, and when it's idling you can tell it has a cam. It drives great.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Yes without OD the truck will be screaming down the HYW. A stock 350 is good too 5500 RPMs but that noir where you want to be driving it down the HWY at. With my performance built 4L60E and 373s with an Eaton Teutrac I'm turning 2500 RPMs @ 70.

Agreed on the gear ratios and overdrive. My 90 GMC R2500 3/4 ton square body Burb would pull a house, but it wasn't fun to road trip in. Had a TBI 350, TH400, and 4.10 rear end. Didn't have a tach, but it didn't like going more than 55 or so on the highway; didn't feel like there was much more power left. The newer Burb with Vortec and overdrive is much better on the road. We came up to Austin yesterday, and if Mom had wanted to keep up with traffic, the truck would have. But she kept it around 65 or occasionally 70 and it was happy. This Burb also has 3.42 rear end,that helps too. That seems to be a good combo, which may be why GM made that the standard setup on C1500 Burb.

 

[BulldogSS]

The rear end will have to stay 3.08 unless at some point I swap to a 700r4. I’ve considered adding a trutrac but feel it’s not worth opening the rear end until I’m ready to do gears and full rebuild. I’ve been looking quite a bit at the comp xe268 and the lunati voodoo equivalent. I think either of those should be in the general range of what I’m looking for. Any input on intake manifold?

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

The rear end will have to stay 3.08 unless at some point I swap to a 700r4.

I have 4.11s in my 88 with 275/60R15 tires and the 700R4 trans. Cruising at 80 MPH it's turning ~2800 RPM in OD, 3000RPM @ 60MPH in 3rd.