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V · 12-04-2009, 04:23 AM

Motor is a rebuilt 1987 350 TPI, not bored out or anything. Runs great but lacking in the power department. Has the stock 87 roller cam and heads. Only mods are SD tune, shorty edelbrock headers, and aftermarket cat-back. Still has 3" cat converter. A T5 manual transmission is behind it.

I think the motor was rated for 225hp in 1987, and as is now, it dynoed 201hp. So thats about right i figure for a stock setup.

But now we are looking to egt more power out of it. Where should i begin?

The trans is being switch to a LT1 T56 that we already have.

The owner is thinking cam, internals, possibly a stroker kit, upgraded tpi parts, etc... but i dont think the power increase and work involved is worth it when there are other engine options. ie LT1 or LS1. I have a 7k orig mile 96 LT1 from an Impala SS, and i think with a head swap and cam, thatd give us a good power increase right off the bat.(its already set up with a stand alone wiring harness). OR id really like to go LS1 with the parts i have laying around my garage. With just a cam, LT headers, and tuning, thatd be much nicer i think. Only issue there is we'd have to swap the T56 for an LS1 T56 version, which is still feasible though.

whats you opinions?

12-04-2009, 04:23 AM	#1
V Stalker Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12,082 iTrader: (12)	more power out of 87 350TPI? Motor is a rebuilt 1987 350 TPI, not bored out or anything. Runs great but lacking in the power department. Has the stock 87 roller cam and heads. Only mods are SD tune, shorty edelbrock headers, and aftermarket cat-back. Still has 3" cat converter. A T5 manual transmission is behind it. I think the motor was rated for 225hp in 1987, and as is now, it dynoed 201hp. So thats about right i figure for a stock setup. But now we are looking to egt more power out of it. Where should i begin? The trans is being switch to a LT1 T56 that we already have. The owner is thinking cam, internals, possibly a stroker kit, upgraded tpi parts, etc... but i dont think the power increase and work involved is worth it when there are other engine options. ie LT1 or LS1. I have a 7k orig mile 96 LT1 from an Impala SS, and i think with a head swap and cam, thatd give us a good power increase right off the bat.(its already set up with a stand alone wiring harness). OR id really like to go LS1 with the parts i have laying around my garage. With just a cam, LT headers, and tuning, thatd be much nicer i think. Only issue there is we'd have to swap the T56 for an LS1 T56 version, which is still feasible though. whats you opinions?