Performance options

Old Red · December 3rd, 2007, 09:20 PM

hi there! for my first car my parents decided to buy me a 1966 oldsmobile f-85. the motor is the 330 with a two speed transmission (i think jetway)

my question is: what kind of performance options am i looking at. i know nothing about engines and i am going to get all work done by a local restorer. my father and i are thinking about getting a new carbureter and manifold but will this add very much horsepower?

also, is there any way i can make this engine to have above 380 horsepower? my goal is to get it to be about 400-425 horsepower but i do not know if this is acheivable by my current engine setup.

any help is much appreciated!

Oldsguy · December 4th, 2007, 05:43 AM

Welcome to our site. There are still performance products available for your engine but they will be harder to find. There are some people on this board that have older Oldsmobile V8s and they will be able to help you out. Good luck.

captjim · December 4th, 2007, 02:22 PM

The saying is "Horsepower is in the heads" To get an honest 380 hp, you will need to spend a few $ on the heads. Larger valves and port work. But, it is pretty easily done. The only issue will be manners and streetability. Keep the compression high to keep the low end, and you will need to mix the gas. Lower cr and the bottom end might be a little soft. Good heads, cr around 10.5, a cam in the 225-230 @ .050 range, RPM intake and good headers and exhaust, and you ought to see 375. IMO, it will be tough to ,make much over 400 and still be streetable. But remember, the # doesn't mean everything. You can have 300 hp, lots of torque, and a low-mid 13 second car that is a blast to drive. Some of those Jetways had a switch pitch converter, somebody who knows will chime in, hopefully.

December 3rd, 2007, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Old Red 1966 Olds F-85 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	Performance options hi there! for my first car my parents decided to buy me a 1966 oldsmobile f-85. the motor is the 330 with a two speed transmission (i think jetway) my question is: what kind of performance options am i looking at. i know nothing about engines and i am going to get all work done by a local restorer. my father and i are thinking about getting a new carbureter and manifold but will this add very much horsepower? also, is there any way i can make this engine to have above 380 horsepower? my goal is to get it to be about 400-425 horsepower but i do not know if this is acheivable by my current engine setup. any help is much appreciated!

December 4th, 2007, 05:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Welcome to our site. There are still performance products available for your engine but they will be harder to find. There are some people on this board that have older Oldsmobile V8s and they will be able to help you out. Good luck. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need info/options	Redog	Other	3	May 17th, 2007 07:53 AM
performance upgrade	sean000	Cutlass	9	December 22nd, 2006 07:41 PM
Tranny options	daverbmxer	Cutlass	0	May 24th, 2006 07:18 PM
carburator options	jccc	Cutlass	4	March 13th, 2006 06:02 PM
Performance Pulley Packages	<Rocket Power>	Big Blocks	5	December 8th, 2004 06:44 AM

December 4th, 2007, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
captjim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 378	The saying is "Horsepower is in the heads" To get an honest 380 hp, you will need to spend a few $ on the heads. Larger valves and port work. But, it is pretty easily done. The only issue will be manners and streetability. Keep the compression high to keep the low end, and you will need to mix the gas. Lower cr and the bottom end might be a little soft. Good heads, cr around 10.5, a cam in the 225-230 @ .050 range, RPM intake and good headers and exhaust, and you ought to see 375. IMO, it will be tough to ,make much over 400 and still be streetable. But remember, the # doesn't mean everything. You can have 300 hp, lots of torque, and a low-mid 13 second car that is a blast to drive. Some of those Jetways had a switch pitch converter, somebody who knows will chime in, hopefully.