Classic/Antique Car Repair: pontiac more horsepower, 1972 pontiac lemans, bbl carb

Question
Roger, can you elaborate on the head work and with all these extras will the lower motor hold up?

Thanks,

Paul
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Followup To

Question -
Roger do you consider a cam and lifters part of the bolt on items and if the compression isn't increased along with a cam and lifters wouldn't I be defeating my purpose?

Thanks,

Paul
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Followup To

Question -
I have a 1972 Pontiac Lemans/GTO with a 400 cubic inch engine. I'm told this motor is only rated at 250 horse with an 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. How do I increase this horsepower/performance without major modification if that's possible? I'de be happy with another 50 to 75.

Thanks,

Paul

Answer -
Paul ,
Hi  well you could get a set of headders as that will boost it a bit, and a alum.intake and a  good carb. also a good dist. and coil. and if you put in a larger cam and lifters  that would all boost the h.p. or just re-build the motor but that will cost a lot more. so check out some bolt on items as you can get it to go without  taking the engine out.
ok
Roger

Answer -
Paul ;
Hi, well as far as bolt ons , the cam , lifters is  a little bit more but it would do a lot for you. as far as the compression , you can do a lot more to it without touching the pistons , head work,alum. intake. carb, headers, you can get more horse power doing that. some chevy motors  have the same lower motor but they change the cam, heads, intake and carb, this changes some from 200 h.p. to 275.  h. p. or more.

Answer
Paul;
 Hi ;  well if the lower is in good shape, you could have a valve job. done and h.d. springs,w/ new seals -keepers,retainers, put on that would make it ready for a cam. for street use. you could put that in on a week end . a day really .and with a alumin. intake with a nice 4 bbl carb. and a set of headers  you would think you were in a new car.