Topic: 1976 f/bird 350 2brl best way to get more hp?

[1976bober]

1976 350 2brl , I've read about HO 350's putting out over 300 hp. and want to know if there are any or what kind of upgrades would boost this 350 a few more ponies???   Thanks

[oreobadr]

headers, bigger cam, and ported heads, with a high flow intake should do the job

[Frode_skj]

And a 4 barrel intake will help you on the way

[1976bober]

Any specific cam,heads,and intake inmind? That sounds like it may be doable!!

[oreobadr]

well you really got match all of this stuff up, If you want a strip version i would get an edelbrock torker intake port the heads to match and get a fairly aggressive cam check this website camquest.com for good ones, if you want a more drivable rpm range i would go with the edelbrock performer or performer rpm, port the heads to match, and get a xe262 cam, It all depends on what your planning to do with the car.

[1976bober]

I'm not looking to race at the track but would like to be able to get a little more go when I do punch it !!!

[72blackbird]

72cc heads would raise your static compression ratio to 9-9.4:1 and will really wake up your 350P. The small valve heads like the no. 11, 16, 45 and 46 heads have 1.96/1.66 valves but will perform well on your engine- these have pressed-in studs, but can be fitted w/ screw-in studs. You should also use the matching springs to whichever cam you select.

A performer intake and 4-bbl carb will also help w/ throttle response over the stock intake and 2-bbl. carb., as will headers and a 2 1/2" dual exhaust- you can also run the RARE enterprises hi-performance exhaust manifolds if you don't like headers.

Geno

[1976bober]

I take it the dual exhaust w/flowmasters w/stock exhaust manifolds won't cut it??? Are these heads all drilled and tapped to accept headers?? this combo even run correctly w/ 2bbl. set-up???   Thanks for the feedback!!

[deadfish]

Well it's nice to see someone else working a 350 Poncho!
I love the power and throttle response of mine. When I built the engine, the  Comp."xe" cams were not yet available, so I have one of their older style "HE" cams at 260 advertised duration. Comp lifters, valve springs, and 1.5 ratio roller tip rockers. I believe I used their chrome moly pushrods too. My heads are stock "average" castings, but have been ported/polished and I had a 3 angle valve job done, that was radiused to remove the sharp edges. They're the smaller valves but that's all you need with the 350 CI displacement. The intake is a stock 4 barrel (out of a 74 catalina I think). It's been port matched to the heads. Carb is a 600 cfm Edlebrock (sp?). Exhaust is Hooker Comps (small tube) with the Flowmaster "Force II" system. (single muffler sits behind the tank in the stock location..no clearance issues..). Ignition is a new,stock point type (Engine is 1970 vintage...heads...1972) It's converted to the Mallory unilite trigger, Malllory Voltmaster coil, and Hyfire IV spark box.

Now I have no idea how many ponies or how much torque this combo is giving me...but I like it! It's way faster and smoother than the stock 403 olds that came with the car.

A word of caution...It's real easy to go overboard with cam and carb choice. "back in the day" when I first built it...information was limited (no internet) and I put a crane "fireball" 292 adv. duration cam in it...great came if you want to drive between 60 and 100 all the time ; P ! I guess try to remember ...it's a small cubed engine..

Rick C.

[72blackbird]

350P's are often overlooked since most poncho fans are going for a 400 or larger V-8- they share the same 3.75" stroke crank as the 326,389, and 400, so they can make good power as well. The only issue the 350P's have is when using any heads w/ a 1.77" exhaust- the valve is too close to the cylinder wall and tends to shroud the valve, limiting flow. A 1.96/1.66 head opened up and fitted w/ a 2.02 intake valve runs very nice- upgrading the head to screw-in studs makes the head a very decent performer.

Both the XE 262 and XE 268 perform well in a 9:1 350P- I've also had good results w/ the Crower 60240, 60916 and Crane Energizer 272.

Geno