84 Chevy K10

Hey All, i have an 84 Chevy K10 custom deluxe with a 4 inch suspension lift with 35 inch Ground Hawgs. I have a 350 bare block that i'm going to have punched 30 over. I've built motors for cars before but nothing really for off roading. I was wondering if you could share some ideas on building a great offroad engine. Like witch parts to use, brands to use. and any thing like that. I've got an idea on how i want to build it i just don't know the best way to do it. Thanks Jeff

hi there,

one thing i can tell you is that you want torque for an off road engine! i could suggest you a set of headers that work well: doug throlley tri y headers, they produce low rpm torque which is a good thing!

(another question for you, you run 35´s on a 4" lift, did you have to trim the fenderes any? or does it clear the tires on full compression? cause i´m thinking of either a 4" or 6" on mine with 35´s, i have a 78 k20 chevy)

You will loose of idel responce and torque with headers. They will not start to help until about 2500 to 3000 RPM.

With my 35's i havn't trimmed any thing. i do have a little bit of tire cut on the front but no problem on the back. i'm thinking about just rounding the front edge of the front panel to get by with no rub.

and if u have ne more pointers on my truck or motor please reply... Thanks Jeff

One of the best upgrades for a motor being built is a lumpy cam. Try a comp cam. They are good and if you have a good exhaust it makes it sound Viscious!

Better use some really deep gears with a "lumpy" cam because it will murder your low speed torque and responce and MPG will go right out the window too.

Antoher thing you will want to consider is your fuel delivery. While carbs are easy to build and will serve you well, fuel injection has many advantages! Also, many companys produce cams build just for 4x4s, may be worth looking in to!  

i would suggest going to fuel injection and the most simple fuel injected motor to put in there would be a tbi 350 out of a half ton because the compression is better and the tbi is a very simple and cheap motor to build. i had one in my 1991 and it was 284whp ad 462footpounds of torque at the wheels.  

try comp cams extreme energy cams and try calling jegs and tell them what you intend on doing and they will work with you