What is the difference between a 2-bolt main 350 and a 4-bolt main 350. Will a 2-bolt hold 500hp?

Answer 1

2 bolt vs 4 bolt main. A 2 bolt has two bolts holding the main bearing caps on. A 4 bolt has four bolts holding the main bearing caps on. A 2 bolt will not withstand 500 HP for a long period of time. note: 500 HP is an incredible, almost impossible amount of HP to get out of a 350. It can be done but you'll need lots and lots and lots of money.

That is an addon yes 4 bolts is what you need !!! Don't even try with two bolts or it is going to blow. Well I have seen this little baby to hit 560 HP with a 250 Shot of Nitrous but yes it will cost a little more to do that

Nelson Racing Engines has a Small Block Chevy 355 twin turbo, putting out 800 HORSEPOWER. Now this is not an all out race engine, it is part of their daily drivers series, it can be beaten every day of the week, driven to work, abused on the track at the weekends, and survive.

Small block Chevy's are some of the most powerful, and toughest engines on Earth. Rod Saboury is putting out 2,400 horsepower in his 1963 Corvette, with a 427 small block, and yes, a 350 can be bored and stroked to a 427 with major block clearancing for a 4.000"+ crankshaft.

Whats the hang up with a 4 bolt block anyway. I have built many 450-600 HP 2 bolt engines.

In fact the stock 4 bolt setup is been proven to be weaker than the 2 bolt due to where Chevy placed the outer main bolts. They are placed in weakest part of main saddle/block and will stress crack easier.

An ARP studded 2 bolt block would be stronger than a stock 4 bolt.

Plus the caps will break before the # of bolts matter really.

If your looking for the strongest setup then you want a 2 bolt block and have it machined for splayed 4 bolt conversion then use billet splayed caps, with ARP studs