Hi All, I am looking to make some mods to my 326 and I am weighing up the pros and cons. Not trying to melt the tyres but make it a bit more responsive down low. Top end speed is useless now in my opinion anyway as the traffic where I live and the policing prevents it. also I have no desire to die in a high speed car crash. Would be interested to see what others may have done or what they did that didn't work. I've been reading some conflicting info on the net, some saying its waste of time or not possible. I'm not trying to make 500 hP but maybe 350 hP would be good.

Cheers
Jason

I'd honestly say you are closer to wasting your time than making 350 HP with a 326. Unless you want to spent $6k+ US .

If it's a numbers matching drivetrain, consider pulling it for a 400 or 455. (and keep the original for a future Owner)

That would be better $$ spent.

If it's an unmolested car, keeping is all stock would hold the value much better. Keep in mind, with more HP and displacement, then you will notice how bad the front suspensions are on these cars and you'll want to spend even more money on that, then brakes, then more... etc. Not to knock your idea, but these are cruising cars, not street racers.

Given his location, that might be a significant factor in his options.

What do you have now? I'm presuming you don't have an H.O.

Maybe just some steeper rear end gears would give it some spunk if you're not worried about RPM's at highway speeds.

I agree with what Bob said.
Cal

I'd suspect he has a 2bbl car with a ST300 behind it, going for a 4bbl manifold/carb set-up, rear gears and or a tranny swap would be the most economical way to approach it...relatively speaking anyway.

I agree with most of the above. A Performer intake, a good 750 Q-jet, TH350, mild stall converter, and more rear gear will increase the seat of the pants feel, quite a bit.

But, also as mentioned, saving the original, and going with more cubes, is a good way to go. Just depends on personal preference, I suppose.

Nothing wrong with a 326
A turbo 350 and some rear gears and a 4 barrel intake with some good tuning will be fine.

A 4speed auto would have even lower first gear however depending on the rear gear it may not work to well.

For a 326 it will respond to upgrade like any motor. Maybe not 350hp but there are mods you can do.

What I would do is this:
Voodoo cam 213/219
self port the heads (Widen the pushrod bulge, 80% open the throat, widen the short turn)
Port match stock 4lbb intake
headers or Long branch manifolds and dual