95 Chevy 355 TBI Build

[355chev]

Hey guys,

I hope I posted this in the right spot, if not just move it for me. I wanted to share my build that Im working on right now. Also would like some input on certain things tuning wise.

Its a 1995 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 with SF 14 bolt rear 3.73 gears (I know I should 4.56 o well) and 33/12.50/15 and 3 inch body nothing crazy. Oh and rusted a little! lol

Motor:
(I know it says 355 in thread title but the machine shop took .040 instead of .030 and I didn't know this until after I started thread lol)
95 block 350/357 .040 over KB pistons etc. blah blah w/ Vortec #062 heads, PRW Sportsman roller tip rockers 1:5
Flowtech mid-length headers and matching Flowtech Y-pipe to 3inch off collector, back to a Flowmaster Series 10 and 2.5 dual out.
No cat, Innovate Motorsports LC-2 wideband O2 sensor, EP381 fuel pump, Quick Fuel Hot Wire Kit.
Not sure on compression ratio just had things surfaced want to keep it on pump gas, daily driver.

Went with a roller cam because the block had provisions to:
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=198&sb=2
Matched Comp 981 valve springs etc.

46.5mm/595 cfm TB, adjustable fuel pressure regulator and gauge from:http://www.rvmorsemachine.com/

Edelbrock Performer Dual Plane Intake and TBI adapter, Hypertech Powercharger.
EGR Delete

Stock Ignition/Coil
AC Delco R44LTS plugs

Might of missed something..

Transmission:

Keeping 4L60E even though it would be nice to go to a 4L80E.
Red Eagle 8 clutch 3-4 pack and Kolene Steels
"The Beast" sunshell and Alto Carbon Fiber 2-4 band
Sonnax Performance Pack and new separator plate: http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2928
Sonnax 2nd Gear Super Hold Servo:http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2486
Sonnax 4th Gear Super Hold Servo:http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2473
Revmax Torque Converter 2200-2600 stall:http://www.revmaxconverters.com/index.php/4l60e.html

Tune:

Also picking up the Ostrich 2.0 from http://www.moates.net/
Tuner Pro RT on my MacBook Pro with Parallel Wizard and then I downloaded Windows 7 Ultimate. So I can have my Mac software as well as Windows on the same computer. Pretty Sweet!

Think thats it. This is the only somewhat current picture of it I have right now..I will get more once I get rolling on the build itself.

Timeframe will late April early May it should be done.

Questions or advice feel free!
Thanks
Max

[Roadknee]

I think it will run pretty darn good. Do you know the dish volume of the pistons? You'll want around 12 cc to keep the compression in check. The 44 plug may be a bit hot. Start with the 42's. I like the cam. Should work good in the truck to 5,200 rpm or so with the 1.5 rockers. You'll pick up a little with 1.6's if you want to spin it to 6k, but more valve spring will be needed. Personally, I wouldn't bother. Trans will probably shift pretty hard with those upgrades, but should be manageable. What's your timeframe for this build?

[355chev]

I think it will run pretty darn good. Do you know the dish volume of the pistons? You'll want around 12 cc to keep the compression in check. The 44 plug may be a bit hot. Start with the 42's. I like the cam. Should work good in the truck to 5,200 rpm or so with the 1.5 rockers. You'll pick up a little with 1.6's if you want to spin it to 6k, but more valve spring will be needed. Personally, I wouldn't bother. Trans will probably shift pretty hard with those upgrades, but should be manageable. What's your timeframe for this build?

Thanks for the reply Roadknee, I will check tomorrow on the cc's, and plugs is there and particular gap that it should be at? Ill get 42s tho. I should have it done end of April early May. Oh and for the fuel pump I have read that the stock one can barely handle a stock tbi engine let alone a vortec, people were saying its a must to upgrade some say no just get a fuel pressure regulator I guess for my set up it should be running at 15-18 psi?? I was told to put a 60psi 155lph Ac Delco pump whats your opinion on that?

[jim_in_dorris]

with a 12cc dish, you should be around 9.2 to 1 compression and 320ho @4500 rpm with 429 #/ft at 3000 rpm. with 61# tbi injectors, you will need a lot of fuel pressure to get to the required 100#/hr of fuel. You might want to consider 454 injectors (the old ones rated at 80#/hr and then bump your pressure. This is really close to what I want to build, and I think the 454 injectors will need almost 21 psi to meet the fuel demand. Other than that, I am following your build to see how it goes.

[dave w]

I helped a local vehicle owner with a similar engine that achieved 330 HP on the chassis dyno, using 18 psi fuel pressure and 454 (80 lb) injectors.

dave w

[355chev]

Some random and pointless photos! ha


Had too

[355chev]

I helped a local vehicle owner with a similar engine that achieved 330 HP on the chassis dyno, using 18 psi fuel pressure and 454 (80 lb) injectors.

dave w

Dave do you remember if guys used a stock fuel pump for that particular application?

[355chev]

Yesterday I was looking at my stock injectors there is a jam nut on top of injector and stock ones compared to 454s are the same size. Cant you introduce more fuel with this jam nut? Like being able to raise how far the injector its self opens? I figured that they did that with 454 injectors then flow tested them I assume. Thoughts? Input?
Thanks
Max

[brian617]

For 18psi or anything over 14psi really, you'll need more pump. The EP381 is the Vortec truck pump and fits the TBI sender very well. It's what I'm currently running in my truck at 17.5psi. I also have a EP377 which is the pump for the 94-95 30psi TBI big blocks that I'm going to try next. EP241 is the TPI camaro pump that I used originally, but didn't like the way it fit in the sender.

[Fast355]

For 18psi or anything over 14psi really, you'll need more pump. The EP381 is the Vortec truck pump and fits the TBI sender very well. It's what I'm currently running in my truck at 17.5psi. I also have a EP377 which is the pump for the 94-95 30psi TBI big blocks that I'm going to try next. EP241 is the TPI camaro pump that I used originally, but didn't like the way it fit in the sender.

The EP381 fits very well, because it was designed to fit a TBI sending unit. The earlier 4.3 CPI models and the Syclone/Typhoon used this pump. It is the CPI Astro pump I have mentioned. If memory serves me right it also comes in the GM Ramjet 502 crate engine kit. The EP381 will dead head over 100 psi.

[355chev]

For 18psi or anything over 14psi really, you'll need more pump. The EP381 is the Vortec truck pump and fits the TBI sender very well. It's what I'm currently running in my truck at 17.5psi. I also have a EP377 which is the pump for the 94-95 30psi TBI big blocks that I'm going to try next. EP241 is the TPI camaro pump that I used originally, but didn't like the way it fit in the sender.

Good to know. With the EP381 pump are you using stock 350 injectors? And may I ask why the change to the EP377?
Thanks
Max

[355chev]

Also I forgot to mention that I read it would be a good idea to use a "Hot Wire Kit" with fuel pump because the stock wiring cant put enough volts out to get full potential of pump? Is this really necessary for my application?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cei-102151
Thanks
Max

[brian617]

Good to know. With the EP381 pump are you using stock 350 injectors? And may I ask why the change to the EP377?
Thanks
Max

Couple different reasons, when the TPI pump failed I replaced it with a used EP381. Now the EP381 is making lots of noise and I suspect it isn't going to last much longer. Found the EP377 new on eBay for $25 which fell in line with the 30psi spring I had just bought (Thanks Dave). Bought the 30psi spring to replace the "18psi" spring I purchased off eBay that I never was impressed with its quality. So my next pump/spring/injector set up i'm going to try is 28-30psi on 5.0L injectors to get me around 80pph...

[EagleMark]

Yesterday I was looking at my stock injectors there is a jam nut on top of injector and stock ones compared to 454s are the same size. Cant you introduce more fuel with this jam nut? Like being able to raise how far the injector its self opens? I figured that they did that with 454 injectors then flow tested them I assume. Thoughts? Input?
Thanks
Max

It looks that way but no it does not work that way. gregs78cam cut one open for me on a lathe and we inspected it. There is no adjustment. There are swirled holes drilled in bottom of injector for flow.

[EagleMark]

Also I forgot to mention that I read it would be a good idea to use a "Hot Wire Kit" with fuel pump because the stock wiring cant put enough volts out to get full potential of pump? Is this really necessary for my application?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cei-102151
Thanks
Max

You'll find out once the pump is in and you do your data logging. There is a Fuel Pump Voltage in data log. Watch it on WOT runs and see if the voltage is dropping = not getting all the fuel capible of pump.