Agreed, like an old amplifier, 100 watts RMS per channel vs 300 watts max. also consider the old nailhead engines. Even with large mods they aren’t HP engines but the torque stock is impressive. I think that’s the main challenge with the buick 350. How to make great HP without killing the low rpm torque. With the alum heads and roller cams the power range can extend from 3000-7000 rpm. The issue with most iron head builds is they either make great power from idle to 5000 or they are soggy till 3000 and peak at 6000. There is a diminishing point or returns where more cam and compression etc isn’t worth the loss of low rpm torque. This is one reason I love the turbos, they take advantage of a mild cam and produce insane mid range torque on demand.
So in summary it’s often better to ignore HP numbers and build the 350 for the 2500-6000 rpm range. Shooting for 3000-7000 isn’t necessarily worth it. Even if it does make big HP, it costs a lot or TQ unless you add boost LOL.
By design (I think) the 350 with its 3.85 stroke is a torque engine, with better breathing it SHOULD make decent horsepower, AND not loose a ton of torque. The 350 Buick is somewhat strange, (I hate saying that) If you look at the diesels that race, they were originally designed for massive torque, they also make insane horsepower, BUT, the turbocharger adds everything
Use a 116 lsa cam like I did and you will keep a lot of TQ I was getting 1.70 60 ft times with a 3500 convertor and a 373 gear. The car slowed in the 60 ft time by going to a 3000 stall and tighter convertor 1.90 60 ft The 2004r trans with the lower first gear helped make up the time by the 1/8 mark so I did not slow down much in the 1/4 with the trans and convertor install. Adding any cam is just going to raise where the TQ comes in we just don't have coffee can pistons to push the TQ we have to rely on quick rpm with our puny pistons. I know what the problem is with the turbo Not enough of anyone going to the track and showing it can Consistently run on the floor thru the traps and keeping it together. When that happens then you will see more people try this system. This system has been done and talked about for a long time and no one is going to spend the money on it until it is proven out that it is a reliable system. You have more roller cams being installed which we know can be reliable whereas the turbo system has not been done enough to prove it is ok to spend all the money on it. Maybe it is just no knowledge to attempt it. Need more feedback here No one is going to spend a bunch of money just to have it blow up. We have 2-3 here attempting this, and not much feedback. YET wake up But don't feel bad I am the only one that ran nitrous but I do have 50 runs down the track with it. Right now I use a small 75-80 shot and puts me right in the low 12's where most street cars run at on the 1/4. I have enough info now to be on the safe side with this plus I know the motor can handle it, I get a good 10 runs out of a bottle which is usually good to run the whole bracket race Hate me all you want but this is the honest truth. Not bashing just sayin. 2022 will change all this, Correct?!!
Very true Being I own a Turbo Buick (GN) I can say from experience (No track time yet) the Turbo Buicks even have a hard time keeping the tune razor sharp to run consistently, on the street getting on it or the track running WOT for a quarter mile, and thats with either the factory set up with mods like mine, or an aftermarket ECM and controls that basically mimic the factory stuff plus some improvements. Most days my GN runs strong, 19 lbs. on pump 93 Some days, seems colder weather, it will go boomf once (for lack of a better word) when its in boost, and I can hear the death rattle, so I back out of it. Too much timing or boost for the octane, probably, but its fine in warmer temps, hmmmmmm, is the detonation sensor working? Maybe the computer cant pull enough timing out, shouldnt the computer compensate for the colder intake air????? These are just a few issues WITH computer controls and sensors. I can imagine the rats nest of issues using a carb, Buick tried it in the late 70's early 80's even they said "F" this, we gotta find a better way. Ford seems to be doing well with their Ecoboost engines I think My step daughter has a '14 Escape with the 4 banger Ecoboost, runs good for a 4 banger, boost is seamless, just a gradual acceleration, feels strong, and controlled. Its gotta be the advancements in engine management. The '86 '87 Turbo Buicks, they're BRUTAL by comparison, whether is the stock 14 lbs. or higher boost pressure, " Heres your boost, GO" Its all there and NOW Better know how to drive! A Turbo Buick 350 would be even more brutal, AND Im sure it would hold together as long as the tune is spot on, but detonation will take out any engine, with a turbo AND detonation things happen VERY fast! Guy as you know, being you run nitrous, the tune has GOT to be spot on, ANY power adder has to be tuned like a fine instrument for it to run well and hold together. Thats why Im staying N/A on my GS, I dont know enough about power adders, hell my GN gives me fits sometimes, "what now"
The turbo kits aren’t being made anymore, and I could care less if anyone does turbos or not. There have been plenty of proven turbo 350 combos. James Murphy here in Canada has his dialed in, my old car I sold ran 11s on street tires with a 3.42 gear, 2004R, mild 350 with stock heads. Jay Davenport had years of reliable use with his turbo 350, lots of track time too. The guy in Puerto Rico has been running the same 580 Hp turbo 350 for 30 years with no reliability issues. Mark Burton is currently running an engine I sent him which is pretty basic, 9:1 bottom end with his ported heads and SBC rockers, roller cam,,SP intake, twin turbos and Holley EFI. He says it’s great on the street and full throttle, it’s been good for a few years now. His son also runs a similar 350, on Holley efi and its reliable as well, hundreds of full throttle blasts. The blowthrough carbs work amazing, we see perfect air fuel ratios under all boost levels and no computer or sensors to go bad. Reduce the timing, read the plugs, it’s not hard to tune a carbed turbo engine. I’m switching to E-85 (10:1 compression) and we tested my new carb on a friends 5.3 LS turbo and it made over 1000 hp to the tires with good air fuel ratios from 5 psi to 25. The E-85 is much more detonation resistant and burns cooler. I’m also adding EGT. Probes so I can monitor each cylinder for temps in order to help find the leanest cylinder that needs to be watched more carefully. when the alum heads are done being completely re worked, it will be awesome. I’m in no rush, and I don’t have to hurry. some good info here, I also use Custom CSU Holley carbs:
The guy that promotes the Turbo is giving it up and who cares about a chevy on the dyno with a turbo it should be yours but I guess that is over now. You promote it for 10 years then poof Don't for get you never ran 11's since you are too scared to take that car to the track lol we saw the videos lol
I’m not giving up. I’m fixing the Ta heads and building the first ever girdled billet crank 350 engine so sit back, relax and take notes.
