How to "hop up" an aenemic '74 Blazer ?

[Jesse Jaymes]

I bought a '74. It's quite nice for the $2500 I paid for it. It has 35" tires with 3.73 gears. Edelbrock intake and carb. I just installed some Summit ceramic headers and custom exhaust. Straight back, with flowmasters.

It sounds great, but man, it's a dog.

The tranny is a 350.

I am asking what is the most bang for the buck that I can do from here ?

I am guessing 4.56's would help. I do not have plans to sink many thousands into it, as it runs OK on the street and is very serviceable as is. Meaning, I do not think I will ever run more than 35's on it, and I do not plan on swapping any axels. So I was gonna get some used/cheap lockers and maybe drop the ratio to 4.56's.

Anything else or other avenues to consider ?

For some reason I am really set on the fact that the 350 tranny is a hunk 'o crap.

Am I wrong to think it ?? Also, isn't the th400 a 3 speed as well. I did quickly scan the 400R swap. Is this really an option for my application or way over my head and budget ?

 

[dremu]

Turbo 400's are also 3-speeds and are more famous for soaking up even more power. Then again, it's only the people who swear by manuals that say that kind of stuff

IMHO, your issue is gears. Swapping in another tranny might change the *feeling* of power, but only if you put in one with a lower first gear.

Swapping to 4.10:'s or 4.56:1's would indeed be a good idea.

Oh yeah, and no matter what gears and engine you have, you're still driving a brick that corners like a drunken pig in heat. (As opposed to my crewcab, which handles like a drunken water buffalo )

-- A

 

[thatK30guy]

You didn't say how the motor ran. Other that "it sounds great", that doesn't tell us anything how the motor runs.

Why not put a hotter cam in it? Swapping a different or rebuilt tranny isn't going to make your engine perform better. Lower gears won't do much either. Just take more fuel.

 

[buefchris]

35" tires and 3.73 gears are not a very good combo, regardless how the engine sounds ,I'd look at your gears.

 

[dontoe]

Regearing it to 4.10's or 4.56's will make it seem like a new truck!! That'll be felt in the seat of the pants and your mileage may actually improve.

You may find a used set or even a set of axles with discs you could swap for a pretty reasonable price.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I think it runs great. Oil pressure very high. Standard tune up done. New plugs, cap, wires, etc. Engine rebuilt not too long ago. Doesn't burn oil, and no leaks. I've only been driving it around town on short runs.

I guess I am complaining because I cannot even peel out in the dirt !!! I wanted at least a little chirp out of this rig.

I do have a little bit of adjustment that needs done to the throttle linkage, but I am really looking for "huge" improvement.

The only experience I have with gear swaps was with a CJ-7. Went from 2.73's with 33" tires to 4.56's. Yes, there was a noticeable difference.

Was not or am not sure how much "feel" of difference there will be going from 3.73's to 4.56's, but I figured that was the next step.....

Was looking for additional was to get more HP, for the least amount of money. Exhaust, intake done. Wasn't sure what else could be done to grab the most bang, other than gear ratio swap.

 

[1978Blazerk5]

where is the pictures of your truck?

 

[bear76]

Are you in NW Washington DC? or the state?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Neither, never changed my location. Las Cruces, NM

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Maybe ?

[/IMG]

 

[1978Blazerk5]

"Red X"

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I know, got pist and quit

 

[thatK30guy]

Was looking for additional was to get more HP, for the least amount of money. Exhaust, intake done. Wasn't sure what else could be done to grab the most bang, other than gear ratio swap.

Get a different camshaft.