351w - What to do to it..

[Jim Downard]

Ben,
I have a Classic Roadsters Cobra, and until last year it had a nearly stock 1972 351W. It was a 2 bbl motor and I tore it down and performed a clean rebuild. My machinist gave me as much cam as the stock 2 bbl heads would handle and I'll tell you it wasn't much. Not even a hint of rumpity rump. I put an Edelbrock Performer (not the Performer RPM) as I knew it wouldn't rev much above 5500 rpm (and it didn't). Reports had me at around 275 hp. This still move the car fairly quickly, and I had plenty of torque at 1500 rpm. Now, I have a 393 stroker. It has Roush 200 heads, Comp cams, Edelbrock Performer RPM, and Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. It makes around 425 hp. It has stock rods, but has arp rod bolts. I've been told that since it's a street car and won't be raced all the time, it will live a long and happy life. By myself in third gear at about 4000 rpm the tires break loose all by themselves. I think I have plenty of HP. Any more would be less fun to manage in my opinon. Oh yea, If you go the stroker method, don't forget you will have to clearance the block to prevent the rods/rod bolts from hitting.

Jim Downard