Junkyard poncho 350 a decent idea

Pontiacpower

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Hi guys. I've got a 1971 lemans with a 350 in it. I haven't checked the vin but all the codes on the block indicate it to be a numbers matching car. I would like to find myself something with more cubic inches So I can get from a to b before the guy next to me at the line without altering the original motor. Now I went to the local boneyard to scrounge around for a 400 or God willing, a 455 to add some power under the hood. Thought I got lucky when I found a couple Grand Prix from 75 and 76 sitting next to each other. I figured that these two freighters would have at least 400 cubes but to cut the story short they both had poncho 350s. One 4bbl the other a 2bbl. Both turned over fine. I was told 150$ and I can take my pick. as a first time performance build should I pickup one of these old boat anchors? I've got a buddy who owns a machine shop so boring would get done reasonably priced. I heard of a build by pacific performance racing and they made a Pontiac 383 and I like that idea. Those boys were over 400 horse and torque I believe. Am I on the right track here or is this to much to chew on? If you've got some insight please help your fellow Indian out.
 
what sort of numbers would a kit like that put out in a 75-76 junkyard 350? that's definitely in the budget. id like to be able to run between 400-450 horsepower and not get laughed at by a 455. mind you this motor is going to sit on a stand for 6 months while I get the car to the point where it can handle this type of power (disc brake upgrade, transmission, rear end steering components etc.
 
im sure Butler would be better at giving you a number but it will depend on many other things too, heads, camshaft, induction, etc.
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I'll give them a call today and see what their kit is capable of. Heads were another area I don't know where to start. In 76 would a 4 barrel 350 have better heads than a 2 barrel? I found a comp cam that I like and I wasn't planning on any forced induction but It could end up in the cards later down the road
 
Thank for all the help so far. And I think I'm going to go ahead and get one of those 350s out of the junkyard. Might as well before they get to the crusher
 
good luck and let us know how your project goes
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im sure it will take a while but absolutely will post pictures when I get the motor for before and after
 
one other thing to before I decide. which motor would be a better idea? natural instinct is telling me the 4 barrel, am I right?
 
if it originally came with one, yes it would probably be
 
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