The Chevy 350 small block is an incredibly versatile engine known for its massive upgrade potential. Whether you’re looking to moderately increase horsepower for a more responsive ride or want to transform your Chevy 350 engine into the ultimate powerhouse, there are many options for achieving your goals.
This guide explores Chevy 350 horsepower upgrades in more detail. We’ll start by covering how to maximize your Chevy 350’s power without expending excessive effort or investment. Then, we’ll break down some performance upgrade suggestions based on whether you want an extra 100, 200, or 300 horsepower.
Ready to get started? Let’s begin.
Maximizing Chevy 350 Power
When seeking to add 100, 200, or even 300 horsepower to a Chevrolet 350 small block engine, it's important to consider the maximum effort levels that are both effective and attainable.
While the ultimate power upgrade could include a Chevy 350 supercharger for massive boosts in horsepower and torque, the cost and complexity often make this option less accessible for many enthusiasts.
Instead, this guide focuses on maximizing engine potential through more attainable modifications. We'll detail how a combination of Chevy 350 horsepower upgrades, like high-performance cams, carburetors, cylinder heads, and intake manifolds, can greatly increase power.
These modifications represent the maximum effort levels that balance noticeable performance improvements with practicality and affordability, making them suitable for a wide range of enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their Chevy 350 small blocks.
How To Add the First 100 HP To Your Chevy 350 Engine
Boosting your Chevy 350 small block HP by 100 isn’t too difficult. Here’s how to get there from stock:
- Two-Barrel Carb to a Four: Upgrading your Chevy 350's stock two-barrel carburetor to a four-barrel, like a Holley 650 double pumper, is a great way to add more horsepower. This swap increases air and fuel intake, directly translating to more power. It's a cost-effective mod that improves throttle response and overall engine efficiency.
- Mild Camshaft Upgrade: Installing a mild camshaft in a Chevy 350 can really boost its performance. It's about fine-tuning the engine's valve operations for better power and efficiency. A great pick for this is the COMP Cams High Energy 252H (0.425 inches of lift), a popular choice for improving throttle response and increasing power.
- Aluminum Cylinder Heads: Aluminum Cylinder Heads: Swapping to aluminum cylinder heads is another great Chevy 350 engine power upgrade. Besides being lighter, these heads improve heat dissipation, allowing for a higher compression ratio. JEGS offers an extensive catalog of cylinder heads, filterable by year, make, and model for your convenience. Remember to match your cylinder heads and chosen camshaft for the best performance improvement.
- Dual-Plane Intake Manifold Installation: Upgrade to a dual-plane intake manifold, like this one from JEGS, designed for Chevy 350 Vortec engines from 1996-2002. This type of manifold is known for better distribution of the air-fuel mixture, enhancing engine efficiency and power output, and is compatible with the upgraded four-barrel carburetor.
Remember that while 100 horsepower is possible via these mods, the actual results will vary on the specifics of the parts and how well the engine is tuned. Proper installation and tuning are key to realizing the full potential of these modifications.
How To Get An Additional 200 HP Out of a Chevy 350 Engine
If 100 extra horsepower just didn’t do it for you, perhaps 200 will. Starting back at stock, here are some Chevy 350 horsepower upgrades to consider:
- Performance Cylinder Heads: This time around, we’ll opt for 195cc Eliminator Street cylinder heads from AFR. Designed for the Chevy 350, these heads boast 65cc combustion chambers, a 2.05/1.60 valve package, and are engineered to support over 550 hp. Ideal for high-performance applications, they greatly improve airflow and efficiency.
- Dual-Plane Intake Manifold Installation: Like the first 100 horsepower, to reach an extra 200, you'll need to upgrade to a dual-plane intake manifold. Consider JEGS Cool Gap intake manifolds built for the Chevy 350. These are designed to remove excess heat, decreasing the intake temperature and providing better fuel atomization for improved performance.
- Upgraded Carburetor: To support an extra 200 horsepower, opt for the Holley 750 double pumper, a robust carburetor upgrade. It's designed to greatly increase fuel flow and improve throttle response. This Holley model ensures a seamless mix of air and fuel, boosting engine performance for those serious about their Chevy 350's performance.
- Performance Cam, Lifters, Pushrods, Roller Rockers: To complete this 200-horsepower package for the Chevy 350, consider the COMP Cams Xtreme Energy camshaft kit, complete with lifters, pushrods, and roller rockers. Designed for significant improvements in throttle response and power across a broad RPM range, this kit ensures smoother valve operation and overall engine efficiency.
Keep in mind that while 200 horsepower from these mods is possible, the actual results will differ based on the chosen components and how the engine is tuned. Proper installation and tuning are necessary for maximizing these performance upgrades.
How You Can Get An Additional 300 HP From a Chevy 350 Engine
And now for those seeking the ultimate performance machine. Starting from stock, the below upgrades have the potential to boost your Chevy 350 engine by as much as 300 horsepower. Ultimately, your results depend on the components you choose, how they’re installed, and how your engine is tuned:
- High-Performance Solid Roller Cam: Upgrading to a high-performance solid roller cam (like this Comp Cams drag race option) is a game-changer for your Chevy 350. These cams handle higher RPMs and aggressive valve lift profiles, making them ideal for those wanting to squeeze extra horsepower out of their Chevy 350 engine.
- High-Performance Cylinder Heads: For a serious Chevy 350 power boost, consider the Brodix Dragon Slayer 225 aluminum cylinder heads. With 225cc intake ports and CNC-ported combustion chambers, these heads can flow over 300 cfm, supporting engines over 600 hp. Ideal for performance enthusiasts, they are designed to maximize airflow and improve heat dissipation for increased engine efficiency and power.
- Single-Plane Aluminum Intake Manifold: Upgrade to a high-performance single-plane intake manifold, like the Edelbrock Victor series for small block Chevys. These are designed for enhanced air delivery at higher RPMs, needed for extracting maximum power from your engine. Perfect for those building a race-focused Chevy 350, they ensure optimal air-fuel mixture distribution for peak performance.
- High-Performance Carburetor with Distributor: Completing the induction system with a high-performance carburetor, such as the Holley 950 cfm, along with a quality MSD billet distributor, is key. This combination ensures efficient fuel delivery and accurate ignition timing, necessary for harnessing the full potential of your Chevy 350 engine.
- High-Performance Exhaust System: To complement your 300-horsepower upgrade, consider adding a high-performance exhaust system. This upgrade will improve exhaust flow and reduce backpressure, which helps make the most of your engine's increased power. A well-designed exhaust system can greatly enhance engine efficiency and performance, contributing to overall horsepower gains.
Note that 300 horsepower is a massive performance upgrade that may impact your vehicle’s everyday usability. If you aren’t working towards a street/strip build, consider adding just 100 horsepower or just 200.
JEGS: For All Your Automotive Needs
If you’ve made it this far, then you should have a ton of great options for boosting your Chevy 350 engine by a good 100, 200, or even 300 horsepower. For all your automotive needs, consider JEGS, a leading supplier of performance auto parts.
Complete your order online and have your products sent straight to your door. Still have questions? Contact our team today.
