Chevy Small Block Performance upgrades?

[ramtough]

Like 89gt-stanger said it is all in the torque. You need lots of torque in that big of a vehicle.

[wytstang]

Originally Posted by wfedwar

I don't think you guys have a grasp on what torque and horsepower mean...

Horse power sells cars, torque wins races. Torque is what moves your vehicle not horse power. Horse power is basically a by-product of torque

[wfedwar]

Originally Posted by wytstang

Horse power sells cars, torque wins races. Torque is what moves your vehicle not horse power. Horse power is basically a by-product of torque

?

Torque is angular force. Power is rate of energy output. KE=1/2mv^2, and dKE/dt=POWER. Power is simply a function of torque*rpm. The reason power is important is because power defines the torque that can be applied at the wheel at a given speed. Power allows torque to be multiplied through gearing. They're both ways of describing engine output.

[wytstang]

Torque is angular force or a twisting motion, it's what moves the crank which is then transferred thought the drive train to the rear wheels.

Horse Power is a measure of power, it's defined as work done in a straight line.
The angular force is what moves the car not the work being done in an up and down motion.

Example: Removing a lug nut from your car requires torque or an angular force. If you put the wrench vertically and stood on it (assuming you could keep your balance of course) would that break the lug nut free? Nope it's not moving.
Torque and Horse power are not the same.
BTW Power=Work/Time; Horse Power is Torque*rpm/5252

[jimmie jam]

just get an LS2 crate. 400hp/400ft lbs . problem solved.

[wfedwar]

Originally Posted by wytstang

Torque is angular force or a twisting motion, it's what moves the crank which is then transferred thought the drive train to the rear wheels.

Horse Power is a measure of power, it's defined as work done in a straight line.
The angular force is what moves the car not the work being done in an up and down motion.

Example: Removing a lug nut from your car requires torque or an angular force. If you put the wrench vertically and stood on it (assuming you could keep your balance of course) would that break the lug nut free? Nope it's not moving.
Torque and Horse power are not the same.
BTW Power=Work/Time; Horse Power is Torque*rpm/5252

What are you talking about???

[wfedwar]

Nevermind, I think I figured out what you don't understand.

[SCU]

Originally Posted by Max Hughes

Upgrade the cam and later get some high flow heads(seafoam the engine before the install). We pulled 120 extra horsepower out of the 94 3500 that way and we used, used parts so think if you got new stuff.

I agree but I think that would be a lil too much since thats more power then what he was looking for. But then again, there's never such a thing as too much power

[jcandiman]

if you have an erection, and you push down on the end of it and your legs fly out from under you, that is an example of torque.

[MBenz]

Originally Posted by jimmie jam

just get an LS2 crate. 400hp/400ft lbs . problem solved.

I thought about this and i am still seriously considering it. Only problems are price and finding a one in good condition with a transmission.

Originally Posted by SCU

I agree but I think that would be a lil too much since thats more power then what he was looking for. But then again, there's never such a thing as too much power

The limiting power factor is the transmission and brakes. As far as i can tell the stock 4l60e is safe up to 360 foot pounds so if i do major power upgrades, i think i will need to build the transmission accordingly. This suburban is chronically under braked, even with the best pads and rotors, it takes way to long to stop. Small dics up front and drums in the back don't cut it on a 6000+ pound suv. All the power in the world means nothing if you can't put it to the ground and stop it. Bigger brakes mean new wheels to fit the bigger rotors and calipers.

After much thought i realize this is going to be an expensive endeavor. I estimate about 5k to do it right (engine, transmission, and brakes) and i don't know if it is justifiable for the 20 or so trips a year that we would like the performance. The burb has 150k hard miles and so far has been an absolute champion workhorse. For the last 10 years it has been ridiculously reliable and it will never leave the family, but i am hesitant about a 5k investment as is is not broke, so don't fix it kinda thing.

I appreciate all the discussion on this topic.

[BigJimZ28]

Originally Posted by MBenz

The limiting power factor is the transmission and brakes. As far as i can tell the stock 4l60e is safe up to 360 foot pounds

just an F.Y.I.
I ripped the transmission output shaft in half
on a stock 4l60e in my 97 z28 and have had the trans "fixed" several times
with far less then 360 food pounds

[MBenz]

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

just an F.Y.I.
I ripped the transmission output shaft in half
on a stock 4l60e in my 97 z28 and have had the trans "fixed" several times
with far less then 360 food pounds

Wow. That is good to know. I replaced the transmission about 10k ago for this same reason and that was stock, but i kinda new it was coming. We drive the crap out of this car.