JUNKYARD TURBO SBC-WILL IT WORK?

[@terrypikaart4394]

Instead of a shoot out, stick with the vortec. Put the iron heads back on and keep raising the boost. Prove what you can make on a budget, and how far you can push it..

[@hydrocarbon82]

Probably not that much HP, the insane TQ it would make would blow it up before it made anything impressive. It would need porting, and IIRC Engine Masters pushed stock heads to mid-400's. It would probably need a short runner manifold to shift torque up high to keep the rods happy.

[@kpgsx]

I would like to see a junkyard cast iron head, 28psi pull

[@fastinradfordable]

Kellys MyGarage Intake psi is only a small part of the picture.

[@mattperkins7038]

Terry Pikaart I agree. I was hoping to see what the bone stock engine would produce.

[@smooth322020]

I would like to see this... possibly without ring gap to see how much you can get away with.. for people that have their engine already in their vehicle....

[@vicmccartin]

Does this man ever sleep ? Thanks Richard for helping my addiction to horsepower in these times with all the content

[@carlitosgy6]

Sometimes i think this guy comes over every night to my home, every night i see a new video

[@here_to_watch2115]

I don't know, bit I'll bet you money he dreams about camshafts and boost.

[@BzRTriniq]

I would love to see the “shoot out”. I have always wondered how big of a difference the sbc intake runner volume, heads, compression ratio, and oiling system would directly affect engine safety to power compared to the ls’s setup, Obviously if you ran the steam port setup with bigger rods on the ls you might be able to pull out more power than the sbc, but it would be awesome to see a price to power analysis shootout between old and newer tech!

[@OGbqze]

This

[@bryanmayes9234]

Agreed

[@calebgrant7176]

Agreed

[@calebgrant7176]

Agreed

[@boblendabarker750]

We are waiting!!!!

[@jamest.5001]

Boost is like fertilizer , makes engines grow up big and strong!

[@dragonggw5843]

Yes you should do it! Definitely! I'll be rooting for the 350 for no particular reason. Let's go 350!

[@OGbqze]

Same here. 350 FTW

[@brandonbell8159]

Sbc is the best!!

[@arthurmelo7460]

Richard I’m a huge die hard SBC fan. But let’s face it, it’s 50s technology. Most don’t even know about the SB2.2 stuff. That would be a jaw dropping show for the LS guys.

[@armdrop101]

Ls is over rated gonna put alot of ls fan boys in the rear view. This summer!!

[@Foundmylsswap]

100 % do the test please!.....one small note since when is 640 hp aomething to be embarrassed about...thats a hell of a street machine IMO..Bring that junk to my house!!! Love your vids!!!

[@EGGINFOOLS]

98' L31 Silverado. Changed the fuel injection to ramjet, comp cam and a d1 procharger made 380whp 440ftlbs. Took the procharger off and installed a turbo. At 12psi is made 430whp and almost 500ftlbs. Fun truck.

[@xmo552]

Which turbo? Which ecm? I'd like to build a turbo SBC for towing. Did you ever tow with this? And, if you did... what kind of MPG did you see? Thanks.

[@kevinengland4042]

Sounds like a big bang L31 series in the making!

[@kontrolledkaos247]

I'm inspired, I'm adding a turbo to my 5.7L s10. Never done it but time to learn.

[@michaelangelo8001]

Certainly, do the comparison. And I'm sure everyone would like to see you find the limit of the stock rods and pistons, as well...

[@stevenhall1004]

I would definitely like to see a big bang SBC

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Michael Angelo Vortec 5.7s start losing rods around 800 hp.

[@michaelangelo8001]

@@AndyGeesGarage Sounds resonable.

[@of_lion22]

Engine Masters did that very thing. Just opened up ring gap. Made over 700hp (25 psi) when they ran out of smaller pulleys for the centrifugal. Held together.

[@BlytheLifeRacing]

I ran a similar setup for a season, sbc twin 60mm with 20psi of boost. Made 777 torque and 625 HP to the wheels, had around 30 passes on the combo.

[@dutchvanderlinde658]

After 30 passes how did the internals hold up? Also was your internals forged? Thanks in advance

[@BlytheLifeRacing]

@@dutchvanderlinde658 I have videos of it on my channel. I did not gap the rings, we took it out one cold evening and I believe it pinched a ring land. Only one piston was broken along with the connecting rod. Stock rotating assembly.

[@SubePelayo928]

Yes do the shoot out! I’ve been trying to find videos on this! I currently have a 4bolt and an LS.

[@formula3fity]

Yes do a sbc vs LS turbobuild off. I have a 350 short block with 550hp topend, and twin50 mm dna motoring turbos, in my 1991 formula, built for 425hp, but I built it right, it may make quite a bit more. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will soon. I bought a L78 bbc that I will boost too in the future. I like to watch your videos and pick up on some of your techniques and build similar kind of motors. Thanks for your videos and all the knowledge you pack into these episodes. I’m Keith Houda from Chicago land south suburb, don’t work too hard and stay safe!

[@Motor-City-Mike]

Given a proper tune - with absolutely NO detonation - the power levels possible on junkyard leftovers without breakage might amaze a whole lot of people!

[@poncoolride]

Yes, you should do this! I responded to someone on one of your other videos that I didnt think you could get 1000 hp out of a vortech with stock heads, and I doubted the short block would hold up. You responded you thought it could happen with no more than 19 psi. Id love to be proven wrong. Would be really cool to see it happen!

[@blakestewart6644]

“Do it.” “Do it.”

[@budgetperformancecars934]

2 summers ago i ran a small journal 327 with procomp heads and summit 1108 cam. Ran great until end of summer when i spun it to 7300 and was at 19lbs of boost with chinese gt45. Super budget build. Love your videos.

[@Kstang09]

I'd love more small block tests! I think that there's kind of a notion that since the LS's are so popular (and for good reason), that now the SBC's are basically worthless and/or brittle... wrong! Boost 'em, Richard!

[@lb9gta307]

In the 3rd gen F body world I hear that all too often but there's good power to be made with the SBC

[@96cr]

Best time to build a small block everything is cheap

[@calvinevans8305]

Who in there right mind could thumbs down Richard? This guy provides all kinds of gear head gold. If you're here to learn knitting or gardening don't thumbs down Richard, just take your purse and leave.

[@fascistpedant758]

LS vs 350 with stock heads would be great to see. Great work! Thanks.

[@fredherb4805]

Richard you are the Man.You go where no man dares to go.Thanks for all the hard work you do.

[@richardholdener1727]

I appreciate that

[@redlee3391]

Heck yeah. PLEASE DO. That’s what non LS guys have. We all want to switch over to a LS, but if I have an old school SBC, let’s see what she got

[@rodneyschnelle315]

YES, because I have a 85 too corvette and I can’t make up my mind which way to go and videos are giving me a lot of information to think about. Thanks for the video’s, very informative and entertaining

[@fastinradfordable]

Twin rear mounted turbos.

[@adalmadera25]

Great content Richard, I have a vortec 350 in my garage needing some attention and always thought a turbo set up would be too much, but since you showed us that it's not I may build it similar to what you had in the video. Thank you for sharing. A comparison video to the OG SBC would be enjoyable to watch. Take care.

[@BabyBlue.23]

Hey Adal, did you ever end up building the turbo chevy?

[@adalmadera25]

@@BabyBlue.23 no, I actually sold the block. I now have an LS project I need to get going.

[@bikerdillagaf1265]

Yes I would like to see which one does better and thank you for your time richard

[@ChadLisonbee]

Yes please do the shootout!

[@ryanmerlington7190]

Got super excited to see turbo'ed vortec 350 assuming was gonna start with total stock just add boost. Was sad when didn't happen that way first. Sorry Richard, but still love channel

[@travisalford6089]

I know the ls based platform is superior. I still have a few sbc blocks and parts that won’t die. I love the fact that we as hot roders can figure out how to make a combination work either way. Love the content!!!!

[@SARJENT.]

Yes! Let's see the shootout! Thanks for all the videos and sharing the test results.

[@chadgardee1496]

You should’ve done boost on stock heads that would be cool too see what we can get if we had all stock genll with boost and cam with stock heads❓⁉️

[@camarochris071]

Vortec 350 is still gen 1

[@johndepietro1095]

I love the wreaking yard too. Potential everywhere. You really get a look into a society when you see what they discard.

[@redrocketfab9938]

To join in with the resounding yes crowd, I second.

[@JohnDoe-ck3pr]

Thanks Richard! I commented a while back asking you to test one of these old mouse motors to settle a debate with a stubborn co-worker. I was surprised also! I'd love to see a shoot out and thanks again for taking the time.

[@damianellis3554]

Or do the same with a old school 327 versus the new school 5.3

[@collapse4068]

That torque curve is beautiful.

[@Knightmare-gz9ls]

My thoughts exactly. Would be great for a weekend street car

[@fryloc359]

Between this and Engine Masters, I think everything engine is covered.

[@LEXLUTHER66666]

favorite episode yet!!! I have a pile of old sbc laying around from various projects and nothing to do with them.... until now! BOOOOOOOOOOOOST IT TILL IT BLOWS!

[@Ugrasrava]

I'd be prone to want the LS just to know I've got a block I can't break (excluding rotating assembly failures that window it anyway) and more modern heads. A test to prove I'm blowing smoke up my own ass and an SBC can do more than I need would be awesome to see though, swap the cam and valve springs, gaptize them, throw on some decent head gaskets and head bolts, and let 'em go until one goes bang. One potentially neat twist: instead of turning up the power level until something blows up, maybe try setting an arbitrary power level both engines must meet (say 650HP at the crank for a comfortable 500+ at the tires) and cycle the engines between peak torque and peak horsepower until something explodes. Sort of a road-racing centric simulation to see if the low buck bangers have a chance in hell of surviving in a context like that.

[@michaelsorenson9585]

Can 1.000 be achieved with the 5.7

[@jjmccloud]

@@michaelsorenson9585 yes definitely but not with a stock rotating assembly

[@ericflower9855]

WOW...dude...you guys at Westech are killing ALL the myth's!

[@scottcoleman162]

I think if they were both crank sensored, multi coil and fuel injected that sbc would surprise some folks on how well it lived with decent timing control and fuel control.

[@minimanadam]

The salvage yard is my favorite place too. Lol I love browsing the aisles of cars and just looking at them from a crash and looking over the damage or just checking out everything up close

[@JohnnyAnderson1]

do a 92-97 LT1 Vs the 5.3 might be a better match Especially since the Lt1 heads are aluminum and can take a good spring upgrade with no modifications If you dont wanna mess with the optispark just run a Carb Lt1 intake with distributor and blow thru carb

[@Sruikyl]

an LT1 will probably cost you more than a junkyard LS and is a LOT more rare. Then you have to buy a special intake in order to use a carb...and then replace the optispark..those two items alone will cost you more than just getting a JY LS lol.

[@johnboy9769]

@@Sruikyl you can make a gen 1 intake fit a lt1 and a stock hei works also.

[@JohnnyAnderson1]

@@johnboy9769 exactly, he already has everything needed. Just a suggestion, clearly harder to find but i still see them often for 500-700 complete

[@yellowlt1ta]

I have done this before running 15psi on a bone stock lt1 for a few year's. Works great and they are cheap. Just picked one up about a month ago for 100 bucks complete. I have purchased one in the past for 200 bucks and it was a 4 bolt main. I've made over 800hp to the tire on mainly stock parts and stock t56. They are better than what most people lead you to believe.

[@shawnrobin6822]

Not rare if you look for the imps and Buick’s wagons!

[@BornToBeFamed]

Best bang for the buck vortec or 5.3 honestly can’t go wrong. Loved that boost!

[@LandonRoy-cv9rt]

God damn it Richard...Now my wifes gonna kill me for ordering twin turbos 😂

[@JusSkott]

Recent machinist channel site, made a valid statement on the 2 vs 4 bolt arguement. When was the last time you've seen a crank thrown from a block. While a 2 bolt, is stronger, due to it has more clamping force material.

[@grulkowski100]

I would love to see a big bang L31 (5.7 vortec), I have always thought the old sbc is a great platform and doesn't get enough love now with the ls and the lt motors. I would love to see how much a stock short block can take in comparison to the new generations of small blocks from Chevy. I would also like to the the shootout to see the difference between the generations.

[@mattcossel29]

I'm with you on the sbc platform, but I like the last ones with the stupid distributor and aluminum heads lol

[@fildavis2024]

Yes please do the shoot out! I’m hoping to see more sbc videos! Cam shoot out in particular!! Thanks for the information!

[@MrOlds1986]

yes do it!!! that will be very intresting since I have both a 350 vortec and an LS engine.

[@erenzoscroggins8056]

I just rewatched this video... I can't wait for Rich to Drop the SBC vs LS because it seems Richard knows something we don't know but we been wanting to Know... "If that made any sense" so the Shoot out will be crazy to see how far a stock SBC can really go with boost and good tuning... And Shut a lot of dudes up who thought SBC can't do this or that

[@juiced71]

Love it ! Definitely want to see what a Sbc can handle ! Love to see how they compare!

[@trevermonk8575]

Do it! Be a cool comparison.

[@johnparrish9215]

The 350 VS LS shoot out isn't exactly fair since aluminum heads are better under boost and the iron SBC heads don't flow all that great. However If you slap on the CHEAPEST eBay SBC aluminum heads on the 350, it just got interesting.....lol

[@derrelcarter9401]

Your shoot out between the 5.7 Vortec and the 5.3 is very appealing to me!

[@garycili6989]

I would also be interested to see how well they compare with a comparable rod and piston package. Apples and apples so to speak.

[@johnboy9769]

Yes yes yes ! As close as possible to the same build i think it will surprise a lot of ls guys

[@paulwells4203]

Hi Richard, big fan of yours. Perhaps you could share some suggestions on how to help the particular engine combo you test survive longer if a guy was going to build it himself. You must see the weak areas of each engine and could make valuable suggestions on how to avoid engine failures when building one at home. You could add these suggestions during your end of segment wrap ups. Thanks for your excellent shows, keep up the good work!

[@richardholdener1727]

Great suggestion!

[@Ezrider359]

iv got a 4 bolt main vortec 350 thats basically a stock short block other than being refreshed with larger ring end gap and larger oil clearances. cut the valve guides and larger springs profiled the exhaust guides and cleaned up the exhaust ports a bit. put stainless valves in. put a lt4 hotcam in it and a weiand 144 blower. spin it too the moon with a 10 rib belt to make 7psi. run e85 to help deal with heat from the small blower. makes pretty good power and have been beating it for probably 5 years now and still holding together

[@michaelblacktree]

SBC vs 5.3 LS shootout? YES PLEASE! 🙂

[@dansimmons1964]

YES! You should do the test. But I would use Aluminum Vortec heads in place of the cast heads for the 5.7L.

[@boblendabarker750]

I have a question, is “boost” an accurate way to measure how much air is being forced into the intake? If I put 10cfm thru a drinking straw it will be at a high pressure, but the same 10cfm thru a fire hose will be at a lower pressure The actual amount of air will be the same but the pressure will be different, so is there a more accurate way to describe the amount of actual air being forced into the intake? Possibly cfm? That would be an accurate number, equal for the gen 1 vs LS comparison and eliminate the whole “ how much boost you running” debate , I realize that you discuss this but it’s still somewhat misleading to some people that think more boost is always good, more cfm is really what we are after

[@xmo552]

Mass air flow sensor

[@stngh8r]

I'm impressed! The old SBC did better than I expected. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to the 5.3 LS vs 5.7 SBC shootout.

[@LIKIN2RACE]

Be nice to do a big bang test, see how far of boost it will go on the stock block..say like 19 psi of boost. Yes do the comparison, even though I know ls will out power the sbc, 15 degree heads for ls out perform,, compared to 23 degree .

[@1967davethewave]

Yes on the shootout. I'm sure the LS would come out on top but the venerable old SBC still has a lot to give.

[@DBGMLV]

In the beginning of the video I thought to myself : I'd like to see a sbc vs ls comparison. But I'd like to see a 350 sbc vs 5.7 ls.

[@fitzeesfabrications]

This is cool. I come from the sbc world. Ran them for years. I think your at a safe limit in power here. Any more your asking for trouble . Now think a fuel rail system and ecu controlled you could push it farther. Having control over timing threw out the rpm range would help make it last.

[@richardholdener1727]

we have full control lover timing and fuel

[@fitzeesfabrications]

@@richardholdener1727 how you doing That? Can you add or take away timing as the engine revs?

[@richardkamowski4656]

Let’s see Junk yard 350 vs junkyard 5.3 vs junkyard 454

[@Knightmare-gz9ls]

350 vs 5.3 but 454 vs. The 8.1

[@fastinradfordable]

The 8.1 is a 454

[@Knightmare-gz9ls]

@@fastinradfordable wrong. 454 is 7.5 liter the 8.1 is 505 if I remember correctly.

[@richardkamowski4656]

Knightmare 1690 8.1= 496

[@austindoud273]

Old sbc had a beauty of a tq plateau

[@paullane7489]

I’d like to see the SBC vs 5.3 LS shootout. Throw the Ford Windsor in there too all three with turbos

[@Link-we8so]

Yes I'd like to see the shoot out expanded to more junk yard motors!

[@prestonedmonds4128]

Do it! I still love the SBC's!

[@blfjr2005]

Just swapped out a warn out 305 with a carbed vortec 350 in my boat and what a difference. Really wanted to do a ls but didnt want to buy new marine exhaust manifolds.

[@rlscustoms]

Do a Vortec SBC vs an all iron 5.3 including heads so we’re talking super early 5.3 like 1999 or something, that way it’ll be fair

[@richardholdener1727]

I think only the early 6.0L had iron heads

[@rlscustoms]

Richard Holdener yes you are correct sir, I could swear the 5.3’s had them too, had to check my sources

[@johncurry3668]

@@richardholdener1727 did you ever do the shoot out?

[@irocman311]

Yes, also do one with an older sbc, some of them came with forged pistons and cranks. 010s have been legendary for years but alot of people nowadays claim they are a myth. Late model vortec will be interesting too.

[@harveybrown5654]

HELL YES DO A SHOOTOUT CHIEF PLEASSSEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[@fastyzzzff]

I'm wanting to do this with a ram jet intake setup with flipped s-10 headers .I've never seen one done like this I'd think it be hot hot hot ! Lol loved this thanks alot

[@jackpinnell3204]

Hey Richard, thank you for ALL the hard work you put in to making these videos for us. I know (about) how much work you put in "behind the scenes" prepping these motors for some thrashing on the dyno and editing these videos. Thank you!!!

[@richardholdener1727]

I appreciate that!

[@michaelsorenson9585]

We apreciate u 2

[@peterlyons4389]

I would love to see that shoot out !! The only thing I would recommend on the 350 is that you use head studs and mls head gaskets. Then the old girl can take some serious boost !!!!! To keep it equal please put the same blow through carb on both test mules. Just for giggles can you put a small nitrous cam, solid lifter set up in the 350 so you can get some rpm out of it. Thanks Richard I love watching all these kind of comparisons.

[@wymansst]

There is a ton of great info on boosting a stock sbc on the turbo forums or what used to be called turbo mustangs.

[@erenzoscroggins8056]

This information is just so Helpful... This set up will be in my next Suburban

[@kyleroyce4365]

Please do it. I have a 97 c1500 rcsb 2wd and want to make some more power but not sure what route to take. Great content keep it up!!

[@pmd7771969]

Tip, When using studs you have a greater chance for failure as the head of a bolt cannot spin off the bolt. So it can loosen up only one end.

[@IrocinZ]

Yes! Do the shootout!! Would love to see a similar test using a FIRST TPI set up.

[@patobrien2030]

Yes! Do a shoot out Stock Ls 5.3 and stock vortec 5.7..maybe ring gap, rod bolts and cam upgrade. I would love to see how long the sbc will hold up!

[@jeremyames3217]

Seeing this a year after uploaded I hope you did the shootout 5.3LS vs 5.7 going right now to look!!!!!

[@MiHungLo14]

Please do the comparison!! A 350 vortec Big Bang video would be awesome!!

[@pmd7771969]

Tip, many hi hp engines can use a stock block if you have the block filled part way with block fill, have arp bolts, use splayed main caps. Keep the rpms below 7000.

[@TheProchargedmopar]

Yes, Yes, Yes. ShoooooootOut thumbs up!!!!! Or just show us what the sbc can do on full tilt boost levels.

[@philmygroin6601]

I’d like to see a tunnel ram with 2 carbs and trim turbo. Do a hat and turbo on each carb and see what it does compared to other intakes.

[@Sleeperdude]

Yes test those motors all the boost until they blow

[@X1mPuls3X]

Just picked up a 99 Vortec 350 for free. Going to be doing the same mods as the test motor minus the ported heads. So it would be cool to see the comparison of the LS.

[@richardholdener1727]

This thing really didn't need the ported heads

[@drakeolson2539]

Yes!! Yes!!! That will be an awesome comparison!!!!!

[@FastFoxx82]

Great test Very much needed real world data

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Yes do the shootout. I’d also like to see what mods are needed to run the vortec heads and weather it’s cost effective or is a budget set of aluminum heads a better choice. I’m also curios to see how they would respond to no mods, junkyard fresh and just slap on the turbos, intake and carb.

[@khalidrace773]

PLEASE DO THE SHOOTOUT GEN 1 sbc vs LS 5.3 this will stop guys from saying sbc are no longer popular and for the LS guys to have respect for the original small block Chevy. Awesome channel your in depth as much or even more than engine masters🦾

[@thecraftsman8133]

What do you think of running the full stock vortec system? Using the factory Fuel injection "spider" injection system, EXCEPT using the "improved" spider upgrade that has the individual injectors rather than the original single that all the poppets share????? I found high performance versions with 36lbs and HIGHER lbs injectors that plug right into the factory intake! I'm trying to figure out a way to get 550HP-600HP, or close, numbers out of my factory setup without having to go aftermarket intake, carburetor, HEI distributor and related ignition system, ect....and getting a tune. I will run a 4L80E, 3600 stall?? And Shift kit behind the combo. I'm NOT looking for 800,1000+ HP numbers. I just want good solid street terrorizing Horse Power that still has streetable manners. OH! I will also change the cam to help with the Turbo, something that has a nice performance idle and give good power up to maybe 5800 rpm. I want to keep the engine under 6000 rpm to help with connecting rod health! lol, even if it means staying at 5500 rpm, but still provide the power. I don't know if what I am saying makes any sense or if at all possible, but I haven't seen anyone doing what I am describing yet. 550HP is not a big number in the v8 turbo world, but its plenty for me. Whats your opinion? And if you have any suggestions? Or should I just scratch the idea all together?

[@richardholdener1727]

never tried that

[@thomasward4505]

I would definitely like to see that with stock heads and intake only valve spring and ring Gap and maybe camshaft only

[@b.c4066]

You can't get enough injector to allow use of the stock 96-2002 l31 vortec intake.

[@scottbankston3377]

Would definitely like to see more of this, dirt cheap build. Use those two gt45 do it all on the ultra cheap, then push it to the limit. Love the content you keep putting them up there I'll keep watchin em

[@brian6739]

Please please please do this with the Vortec heads. I saved this video as soon as you said you bought a vortec motor.... then my excitement was completely taken away with the other heads. Great video, now I'm hoping for the vortec comparison. 😃

[@robc7812]

who wouldnt want to see that... i say hell yes... love your videos