I have a stock 305ci 2bbl 140hp engine from somewhere between 1976-1979 in my '67 Camaro. I want to build a 355/383 with a supercharger, but I know this will last a few more years until I will have built that engine.

As I can't wait to have more hp/tq, I was thinking to buy the supercharger already and put it on the 305 to gain some 50-100hp with the correct boost (low). Now I have like 8.5:1 cr and I will buy a 4150 Holly or Demon 750 MD.

Will my engine last a few years using low boost and only 4 months a year driving, and occasionally a sprint...?
I know the supercharger will survive easily, but will my engine 'explode' because of the boost?

That all really depends on how much boost you plan on running.

I would keep it under 10PSI (maybe even less than that) to be sure the engine survives. Have you done a compression check lately? How are the head gaskets? These are just a couple things that can determine how your engine will like the added stress.

And, plan ahead with this. Purchase a supercharger that will run well with both your current 305 and your future small block. A supercharged 383 would be a wicked engine!

Matt, I was planning to run maybe 8psi to start with, then when I get used to the power I will run 10-12psi. It all depends on the situation. The nice thing of a supercharger is that you easily can alter the boost. :D

I think even 8 pounds would be pushing it. I have seen a stock 350 melt a piston with only 5 pounds maybe 6. It did last about a year but not much street time.

I'm with Yellow, I wouldn't go above 5PSI. I'm currently running 6-7PSI on a BBC (470) and that's a fair amount of boost.

If I were you, and you weren't worried about grenading the motor, I'd throw the blower on with a *big* pulley on top and see how it runs. It might last for a while, it might not, just depends on a number of factors, but starting with little boost is pretty benign.

Have fun!

Ok, so maybe I can only use a few pounds of boost. That's ok with me, I think it would be more stupid to build the 305 to go faster, than buy the supercharger and use that to gain the extra hp/tq, as I am planning to use the charger for my 'new' engine... As long as it holds together, it is fine with me... :D

did u buy the charger brand new?

those things cost a fortune back here

Don't worry about blowing-up the 305, these things are cheap, even here in Holland...

Robert, I do not have the charger yet, but at Summit the Vortech V1S is about $2300 for the satin finish. I phoned Mosselman turbos in the Netherlands, and they could send me the same (V1S) for Euro 2455 ex. Tax. so that would be about Euro 2900 incl. taxes.

Robert, I have never ordered from Summit but you did: if I would buy the charger there (minus 10% Summit discount), and pay $2070 (1830 Euro), howmuch taxes / customs and shipment should I have to pay?
Maybe we could order things together and save some shipment costs etc. Just an idea, as you do not realy live that far from me.

Not sure about Europe but you can get a GM 330 HP 350 crate engine for about the same price you are willing to pay for the supercharger. Last I checked they were a real steal for about $2200 (2001 prices) from my local GMPP dealer.

My reasoning: a 140 HP 305 + 100HP supercharger = 240 HP. Still 90 HP short of a 330 HP crate engine. If you put that money into a 350 you can still put a charger on it later to make another 100HP.

Eric68, welcome to the world we like to call Europe :D
GM 350ci, 330hp, 9.1:1, 4bolt, 64cc heads: €3747 = $4188
http://www.kts.de/images/GDW12486041.jpg

This is in Germany at kts.de , probably some cheaper will exist, but not as low as $2100!!

My plans are to find a used 350, make a 383 out of it and put the charger on it. Why make a mild streetable expensive engine, while you can make a wild bit more expensive streetable engine :D . With the supercharger one can 'easily' adjust the boost so making it have more hp in the future is easy.
And here in Europe we pay 'more' shipment than the parts costs.... my last payment was 1.7 times the part value.... $1000 parts became $1700 parts in my garage :(

Ouch! I wonder if it would be cheaper to pay a US dealer to ship . . . the 330 HP engine I was referring to came with an intake, carb and distributor for $3,295 USD or $2295 as you have pictured (Salle Chevrolet)!!! Well good luck with your build, I like your idea to build a wilder engine anyway. :D or maybe you could take a cruise ship to the US, stuff your cabin full of parts, and sleep at the bar . . . LOL You'd still be money ahead even after paying for a cruise line ticket :eek:

[ 08-01-2003, 05:30 AM: Message edited by: Eric68 ]

ouch, that sucks! how do you guys deal with the cost and wait for parts? I'd go into withdrawl. some of the canadian guy's we race with also were telling me you basically take the price in a summit catalog and double it, after they pay the duties and such and figure in the lower value of thier dollar. you hotrodders should just move to the U.S., we'll trade your country for some of our environmentalists, 2 to 1 :D

68rs406, I am an environmentalist..... Hey, who's perfect?! :D
Yeah, I wish I could live in the US. Just move over for a few years, build my car, and go back.....it will save me lots of money in the end :D

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[ 08-05-2003, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: need-for-speed ]

Need-for-speed, like I wrote: Who's perfect :D
At least I am trying to get as much complete-combustion (?) out of the engine, so I can drive a high horsepower, "low emmision" car.

Maybe you are right, who will ever know?!