Possible Engine Upgrades

jolooote wrote:
RLS7201, we're all SO glad u'r here to HELP. lol

Well I the best I can when incorrect information is given.

Richard

Deano56 wrote:

WILDEBILL308 wrote:

Deano56 wrote:

Jagtech wrote:
Upgrades won't be of much value until you have done some basic engine diagnostics to see why there is a lack of power. A compression check is in order, and check if the exhaust system has a blockage. Only consider the upgrades you suggested after you are certain the engine is healthy.

I would say 230hp and 385 ftpd of torque is not a basic diagnostic problem. Thats a lot of weight to move with that kind of power. Exhaust has no blockage

Hear are some things to look at.
http://bankspower.com/products/show/128/67
I am looking at adding the single shot to my rig.
http://bankspower.com/products/show/474/67
You can improve your intake with a good duel plane intake manifold.
I think looking for a used Gear Venders would pay dividends when running in hills. Bill

no banks for me

Ok Do what ever you want.
Bill

Been down this road with a 88 P-30/Airstream Classic 34.5. As I own a transmission shop first thing was to install a 700R for the OD, worked ok but a little clunky on the shifts and the OD ratio was a little much. Next move was a Gearvendors on the 700, better but still clunky, on the plus side two OD ratios to work with, GV is about 20% 700 closer to 30%, AND lock up torque converter with the 700. Problem with the lock up was in and out of OD with the GV harsh shift @ highway speeds.
Final solution was install of a 4L80E and a stand alone ECU control kit. I highly recommend that modification to any vintage P-30 owner, night and day improvement in drive ability and road manners. Smooth as satin.
Kept the Q-jet as they are a great carburetor, replaced intake manifold with a Edelbrock aluminum piece speced for RV use, Thorly headers routed to the stock dual exhaust.
While involved with this project rerouted the 12 volt supply wires @ the starter and replaced their fusible links with circuit breakers mounted on the coach frame. I find wiring close to the exhaust disturbing.
These mods will be adequate for most people, but if you need significantly more power then the 496 stroker mod will help a good bit.

Deano56 wrote:
wouldn't the fuel be pouring out the carb if the float was saturated? I have no carb problems that I know of

Hey Deano, I am actually surprised that someone else has mentioned this problem. Usually people think I am nutz when I describe that the plastic float actually absorbs a chemical in the gasoline. When that happens, the float still floats, but it becomes heavier then it was before; so it sits lower in the fuel and puts less pressure on the needle and mucks up the fuel delivery.

I've seen this happen a handful of times and replacement with a brass float was the fix.

WILDEBILL308 wrote:

Deano56 wrote:

Jagtech wrote:
Upgrades won't be of much value until you have done some basic engine diagnostics to see why there is a lack of power. A compression check is in order, and check if the exhaust system has a blockage. Only consider the upgrades you suggested after you are certain the engine is healthy.

I would say 230hp and 385 ftpd of torque is not a basic diagnostic problem. Thats a lot of weight to move with that kind of power. Exhaust has no blockage

Hear are some things to look at.
http://bankspower.com/products/show/128/67
I am looking at adding the single shot to my rig.
http://bankspower.com/products/show/474/67
You can improve your intake with a good duel plane intake manifold.
I think looking for a used Gear Venders would pay dividends when running in hills. Bill

no banks for me

RLS7201 wrote:

jolooote wrote:
Oh...One more thing, Those old Q-Jet carbs have a problem that the floats get old and absorb fuel causing them to screw up the fuel level in the carb bowl. Replace em.

That should read:

Oh...One more thing, Those old Q-Jet carbs have a problem that the float gets old and absorbs fuel causing it to screw up the fuel level in the carb bowl. Replace it.
It only has one float.

Richard

wouldn't the fuel be pouring out the carb if the float was saturated? I have no carb problems that I know of

RLS7201, we're all SO glad u'r here to HELP. lol

Do an advanced search for Jim83Itasca . He was a wealth of information on the 454. That's where I learned a lot about mine. He has since passed on but his info lives on. By the way I have the 400 turbo. After the carb and distributor mods I was actually able to accelerate on hills doing 60mph and not have my vacuum disappear. I did put on a set of Thorleys before the mods and that by itself didn't do much of anything for performance. I did get rid of both of my pumps also.

randallb wrote:
Pull it and build yourself a 496 (4.250 stroke and 4.310 bore) using a Scat rotating assembly and a good roller lifter camshaft (Elgin Pro Stock). Top it off with a set of small intake port aluminum cylinder heads (Dart Pro-1, 310cc intake port preferred), headers, dual plane intake and Edelbrock 800CFM, or someone else's slightly larger, carb and you will have a rocket. Go with a TBI system if you have the extra money and you will be extremely happy with the combo. The 496 bore/stroke ratio is as good as it gets without custom one off pieces. You can get every part you need, besides the rotating assembly and heads, with out paying big name prices but with the same or better quality out of the Elgin catalogue.
Randy

This and dump the 3 speed, convert to a late model Allison 2500. Other wise your gains are pretty modest for $$ you spend. The tranny is a double overdrive which allow you to keep your high ratio rear end for pulling and gets you some legs for cruising.

jolooote wrote:
Oh...One more thing, Those old Q-Jet carbs have a problem that the floats get old and absorb fuel causing them to screw up the fuel level in the carb bowl. Replace em.

That should read:

Oh...One more thing, Those old Q-Jet carbs have a problem that the float gets old and absorbs fuel causing it to screw up the fuel level in the carb bowl. Replace it.
It only has one float.

Richard