TOPIC: Rebuild Project with New LongBlock 350

Ken - have you considered replacing the OBD-I computer with a MegaSquirt? I stumbled across this option recently, and it seems there's a fairly large community using them with great success. given the mods you're making to this engine, I'd bet this would be a very viable option for you to get the power and efficiency you're looking for on this build...and they look to cost about the same as a replacement to the factory ECU, but seem infinitely more modern and configurable.



you'll have to do some homework, but you likely have a bunch of what you need to know already floating around in your head to figure out if my suppositions are correct...

I looked into this and am not sure it would be much better than what I have. I did not see an option for the mega software/hardware to control electronic transmissions and I have the 4l60e. If I was to rebuild without electronic it would have been a very good idea though, I will keep it in mind if I do another one of these.

Hoping to groove this thing in the next couple of weeks, but we have a lot going on all the way to new years so i'm not sure when it will happen.

Keep grooving!

Thought some pics would be fun.



Old Engine Ready to come out.



Almost there.



She's out.

.

New engine is ready.



Lets start bolting things on!



So close now.



Finally In and ready to Tune!

A few Bored Throttle body pics. Notice that the top grooves have been shaved to allow for more airflow. I probably have more air than I need for 300 hp but she sure sounds awesome when you ask her for more. And at the rate my tires break loose now i'm going to really be careful after she's grooved.



Bottom side, so clean.



Top



Top profile with edges removed.



tbi adapter to carb intake, I had to shave off the bolts that hold the tbi on as it would have caused a major vacuum leak.

When I built this engine it was with a process of efficiency in mind. Of course I had a cash ceiling to think about but the most important idea was the process itself. The Groove is a great tool, though when you combine it with the process of better ignition, better fuel, more air, freeing flowing exhaust and intake and with proper tuning. You can see the best of what it has to offer. So what we are doing is not just one piece but when we combine it with everything else we can see the best of what can be accomplished. People ask me all the time why I fiddle with hydrogen and magnets and the groove. All I can say is that when you apply the entire process you get to see what the Internal combustion engine really is capable of. 35% increase in mpg is great, but I see that as a starting point. Lets see what our engines can really do and then we can start thinking about aero modifications; not the other way around like a few eco sites that I will not name.

Stay groovy my friends, but most importantly don't hesitate to share what you find about other improvements. We don't know what the next few years will hold and if we'll be able to freely share what we know with each other.

Ken

I agree completely that 35% is just a starting point.

I've had a wee breakthrough today on my vehicle because of some overdue attention to the ignition system. If the factory instrument cluster mileage readout is correct, there will be compact cars jealous of my "executive cruiser" XUV...

VERY nice work there, Ken! That's a really clean lookin' Chevy, very taseful. And well thought out.
Great pics there!

That TBI is Impressive. I bet that thing just howls when you goose it. With all your build tricks, the external extras, then the Groove. This Chevy is going to be one mean machine. I think you will be able to have your cookies and eat 'em too! Your truck should be capable of quite respectable MPG #'s and really haul the Groceries when you need it to! I think you will end up with some real Bragging rights here.

Kinda hard to keep the right foot outa something that can put you right back in the seat. Didn't notice, but if it has cruise control, I'd guess on the hiway it might hit mid-20's Sound right?

We'll all wait to see how this one comes out, I Think it's going to be Excellent!

Congrats, Ken, on a really Sweet Engine build!

Tracy G

Newest Engine tune has fuel delivery down 3 lbs per hour and VE/BLM tables down 5-6 points all around. This is with the Groove and Merricks Vortex system.

Last couple of tanks I've been averaging 13.5-14 mpg with the new engine, though most of this is city driving. I need to take a nice 2 hour drive on the hwy early in the morning one day to see how 65 mph treats this thing.

Ken

Truck is running smooth again after the groove, taking fuel down 1 lb every day until I find the point that she isn't happy.

Just as a reference, the Original 350 TBI came standard with 195 HP at 4500 RPM and 61 lbs of fuel per hour at 12-lbs pressure in the 2 injectors. The new longblock with cam and larger TBI should be very close to 300 HP; I currently have 66 lbs of fuel per hour at 19-lbs of pressure in the injectors. Tuning manuals and feedback online started me at 72 lbs per hour at 22-lbs of pressure with this Horsepower Rating.


My goal is to get to 63 or 62 lbs per hour with current setup before I add hydrogen.

That's still a LOT of fuel (10-11 gallons per hour - that's at WOT and/or maximum power, right?), but this engine was built for performance. (Are you using premium fuel?) You're not driving to work at >100mph, even if you easily can, so that number is still going to come down.

There is one question that should ALWAYS come to mind when dealing with true performance vehicles, and that is with the computer.

You see, with most injected performance (race) vehicles, the owner employs an after-market fuel-delivery system that doesn't allow for "learning".

This aspect of stock computers cannot be over-enhanced. It is MISSION CRITICAL the ability to adapt be considered. Either that, or the owner must be willing to accept this responsibility in order to manifest any improvements whatsoever.

I just thought I'd chime in with my two-cents worth...

Ron
Gadgetman

PS: Nice work on this, Ken! And I daresay you're doing all the right things!

Rule number one: "Make your changes small and incremental." Slowly reducing fuel delivery is right on.

But you're not setting your sights high enough. I took one of these-STOCK-to over 36.

Something for you to ponder over...