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1990 350 motor

I'll look at upping the fuel pressure to try and squeeze more out of it.

I'll also look for some heads, cam, and intake. Probally go the intake way first since those are relatively cheap.

I'm running 33" with 4:10 gears and it feels like a dog accelerating. I just want some more "go" :p
 
my opinion, if you're running 33" tires, and have 4.10 gears, and it feels like a dog?,,,,you have some major issues somewhere with the motor, fuel pressure drop off either due to plugged up filter, air filter problem, exhaust blockage,,,SOMETHING,,,,,don't think it is a "lack of performance issue"

I have 35" tires with 4.10 gears in my Burb, and even with 250k miles, it still gets out of it's own way, you can definately tell it's tired, but still moves pretty good when ya want it to.
 
4xcrazy said:
how does the engine run,,,in general, while idling, regular cruising and such?
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Runs good while cruising and idling but I can't even spin the tires over with 4.10 gears and 33" tires. Also, it is slow to accelearte from like 20-45
 
You must be having some serious motor issues, as I`m running big fat 33s with 3.73s, and I don`t have a problem spinning the tires:D
 
My 91 has 3.73's with 34" tires and I dont have a problem. True I'm not going to race anyone but it's a 4x4 truck:wink1: :rolleyes:
 
Hmm, i was never really ever trying ti spin my tires in a big truck, didn't ever see the point of it i guess, but then again, with the big ass of a Burb, and a speakerbox the size of a coffin,,,alittle too much weight i guess....

But yeah, i still say there is something going on with the motor to create the loss of power,,,,,

change out that fuel filter asap and see what that does for ya, you just might be suprised at how something so small, and fairly cheap can really drain your motor down.
 
4xcrazy said:
my opinion, if you're running 33" tires, and have 4.10 gears, and it feels like a dog?,,,,you have some major issues somewhere with the motor, fuel pressure drop off either due to plugged up filter, air filter problem, exhaust blockage,,,SOMETHING,,,,,don't think it is a "lack of performance issue"

I have 35" tires with 4.10 gears in my Burb, and even with 250k miles, it still gets out of it's own way, you can definately tell it's tired, but still moves pretty good when ya want it to.
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I agree there has to be something amiss somewhere. My 89 TBI 350/700R4 w/ 32's and 3.42 gears, runs like a scalded ass ape. Mine will easly break the tires loose when it shifts into second gear with a healthy pressing on the throttle, and it doesn't have to be full throttle. But the previous owners had it "dealer serviced" it's entire life before I got it, so that may be one reason it's still very spunky. Even still, I would think that yours should be running well enough that you wouldn't have any issue with the power output. I'm used to driving my 97 K1500 with a vortec 350, and my wifes old 01 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I would say that my 89 K5 would give either one a run for their money in a drag race.

before I spent too much time (and money) trying to make more power out of it. I'd make sure that it's producing it's full power first. You may need to spend some time trouble shooting what may be lacking, because unless it's just worn out, it should be doing better.
 
1990k5fan said:
I get 15 but I want more power. It seems so slow to accelerate. My mom's 2001 ford triton runs circles around it. I'm just looking for some bolt on stuff that I can add to give it some more power.

I read that in the early 90's they bogged the motor down a lot because of smog crap.
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That Ford probably has 275HP or so and probably weighs less too. Not to mention it's sequently injected and is modern motor with modern technology.

Your 350 has somewhere around 200HP, you have big tires (33x12.50 IS a big tire, pick one up and lift it up over your head, then do the same with a stock 245/70R16).

If your Mom's Ford couldn't completely whoop on your K5 I'd say your mom's Ford has problems.

It's old technology and lower HP output from these 80's and early 90's engines (late 70's to 90's really) and the 350 really never got fairly decent until '96 with the much higher HP vortec version.

You can do exhaust, intake, spacers, fuel pressure, but the really only way to get some good power is either a supercharger or rebuild the engine with aftermarket stuff.

My stock 350 sucked, I just threw it away and built a different motor.
 
Bow-Tie-Boy said:
Well then I have news for you. If your old stock pump can't put out what the stock pressure regulator is "set" for, then yes, putting a new pump on would up your pressure. It wasn't the regulator that was limiting my pressure, it was my crappy old pump that had it limited. I would probably have the same pressure with a new OE pump as I do now. But as soon as I do install the new adj. regulator, I will be able to up the pressure a tad bit more.
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Now it all makes sense. I was under the impression that you installed a higher than stock pressure pump and were saying that increased your fuel pressure. Now that i understand what you did and why you say your fuel pressure increased i totally agree with you that a stock pump that is failing cannot keep the correct fuel pressure and installing a new factory pressure pump made your fuel pressure increase.

It's all in deliverance. :D
 
Where is the fuel filter located exactly? I bought a new one at all parts tonight but didnt know where it was located.
 
Passenger side inner framerail about half way between front and rear axles.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Passenger side inner framerail about half way between front and rear axles.
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Is there any tips to replacing it? Anything I don't want to do or anythign I should be aware of?
 
I say forget about bolt on stuff... sounds like your motor either has big issues, or is just not enough for you. Adding 20 hp with bolt on crap is going to cost $$$, and won't put you in a much better place in a race against a newer/lighter/higher horsepower truck.
One thing I will throw out there... A friend of mine picked up an early '90s LT1 out of an impala or cop car ar something. It was just the motor without any of the wiring or MPI stuff. It had about 45,000 miles on it, and he got it for about 750.00. Weekend project...swapped the TBI intake and accessories from his 89 burban onto the LT1, and dropped it in. This swap gave him a better head design and a roller cam. There was a very noticable gain in power, and a small increase in MPG. More power at the tire, and the LT1 really rapped up quick. In my opinion about the best bang for the buck.
That truck kind of reminded me of driving my buddy's '97 Z71 with the 5.7 Vortec, although the vortec still would have won in a race ( but keep in mind the burb is pushing a bunch more weight). I think the LT1 would do great in a Blazer.
 
scouthead said:
I say forget about bolt on stuff... sounds like your motor either has big issues, or is just not enough for you. Adding 20 hp with bolt on crap is going to cost $$$, and won't put you in a much better place in a race against a newer/lighter/higher horsepower truck.
One thing I will throw out there... A friend of mine picked up an early '90s LT1 out of an impala or cop car ar something. It was just the motor without any of the wiring or MPI stuff. It had about 45,000 miles on it, and he got it for about 750.00. Weekend project...swapped the TBI intake and accessories from his 89 burban onto the LT1, and dropped it in. This swap gave him a better head design and a roller cam. There was a very noticable gain in power, and a small increase in MPG. More power at the tire, and the LT1 really rapped up quick. In my opinion about the best bang for the buck.
That truck kind of reminded me of driving my buddy's '97 Z71 with the 5.7 Vortec, although the vortec still would have won in a race ( but keep in mind the burb is pushing a bunch more weight). I think the LT1 would do great in a Blazer.
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I can't afford to do an lt1 swap right now either thou. If I was going to go through that hastle, I'd go for the 6.0l iron block or the 5.7 ls1.

lol. I just want to get this puppy back in good stands.
 
Have you replaced the CAT yet? Those can get plugged and rob all your power. If you haven't already replaced it get yourself a hi-flow cat and have it put it.
 
I guess my point was to hold off and save a little cash for a while. Start keeping your eye out for a motor after you are sitting on a couple hundred bucks.
As far as the 6.0 and 5.3 or any new third gen motor... I would do the same thing if money were no object, but an LT1 can be had fairly cheap now, and you can reuse ALL of your existing computer/wiring/access/EVERYTHING!
It would be very easy to spend 7 or 8 hundred bucks buying headers/holley throttle bodies(like $400 by itself)/TB spacers/computer chips, and I still don't think it would run like the LT1. (The LT1 would be even hotter if you kept it MPI, but once again $$$)
 
1990k5fan said:
when replacing fuel filter?
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Yeah, don`t tip it when you have it all out, there`s gas in there:rolleyes: It`s a real easy change, just a couple wrenches...
 
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