Rocket 350 Vs Chevy 350: Which One Is the One for You?
Which one is worth the money between the Rocket 350 and Chevy 350? Well, the answer depends on your needs. Rocket 350 is your best option if you are looking for speed. However, if you want an engine to maneuver heavy vehicles (such as trams), then the Chevy 350 is unbeatable.
Though both Rocket 350 and Chevrolet 350 are powered by gasoline and are 350 cubic inches, there are subtle variances in torque, engine block, and horsepower that create a great difference.
So, who wins in Rocket 350 vs Chevy 350? Keep reading this article to find out everything about it.
Rocket 350 Vs Chevy 350: Differences at A Glance
Before getting into the details, take a quick look at the differences between the specs of the Rocket 350 and the Chevy 350.
Attributes | Rocket 350 | Chevy 350 |
Horsepower | 160-325 hp | 145-300 hp |
Engine block material | Aluminum | Cast iron |
Average piston Compression ratio | 10.25:1 | 8.0:1 |
Stroke | 3.75 | 3.48 |
Torque output | 380 lb-ft | 360 lb-ft |
Red line | 6500 RPM | 5200 RPM |
Fuel economy | 15 MPG | 18 MPG |
Now that you have seen the basic differences between these two engines, it’s time to delve deeper. A detailed account of what sets Rocket 350 and Chevy 350 apart from each other will help you finalize your decision.
Horse Power
Horsepower determines how much energy the engine is capable of producing. It means having more horsepower means having a faster engine.
Rocket 350 is a better deal when it comes to horsepower. The 160 – 325 hp is undoubtedly faster than the 145-300 hp of the Chevy 350. In other words, if you are looking for a fast engine, Rocket 350 is your pick.
Engine Block
Engine blocks, also known as cylinder blocks, are basically the casing that holds all the components of the engine. The intake/exhaust passage, crankcases, coolant passages, and some other parts are included in the engine block.
The engine blocks come in various materials. Rocket 350 has an aluminum engine block, while the engine block of the Chevy 350 is made out of cast iron.
The advantage of having an aluminum engine is its lightweight. This allows the Rocket 350 to handle the extra horsepower perfectly well.
On the other hand, the Chevy 350 has a cast iron engine block. This casing may not be as light as an aluminum block, but it surely is far more durable. It allows the engine to endure more internal pressure.
If you plan on keeping your engine running for a prolonged duration, get the Chevy 350 because it has an iron casing. But if the speed is what matters the most to you, the aluminum casing of the Rocket 350 is best.
Piston Compression Ratio
According to Sciencedirect.com, the piston compression ratio is the ratio between the volume of the cylinder with the piston at the top and at the bottom position. In simple terms, it is the ratio of the volume of the gas in a cylinder when the piston is at the top and at the bottom of the stroke.
If this ratio is high, it means the engine will generate a greater power output. A higher piston compression ratio allows the engine to generate more energy from the combustion process. A higher compression ratio facilitates the engine to attain a good amount of combustion temperature with a low amount of fuel.
In this case, Rocket 350 is the winner. It has an average PCR (piston compression ratio) of 10.25:1. This is one of the reasons why this engine can attain such high speed. On the other hand, the average PCR of the Chevy 350 is 8.0:1. Although this is not bad, it’s not the best compared to the Rocket 350.
Torque Output
Torque output Is the force of the drive shaft. It is the rotational force the motor can generate. It means the higher the torques, the faster your car moves. But you have to spend more fuel to have a great amount of torque output.
Rocket 350’s torque output is 380 lb-ft, while Chevy 350 has a torque output of 360 lb-ft. It means the motor of the Rocket 350 engine rotates faster than that of the Chevy 350s.
It is also worth noting that having a greater torque output makes the Rocket 350 a faster engine than Chevy 350. This also makes Rocket 350 a less durable engine because a faster torque speed can cause a machine to deteriorate soon. Such engines are also not reliable for heavy vehicles.
This is why, if your purpose includes moving big trucks or trams, get a Chevy 350 instead of a Rocket 350.
Red Line
The red line in the car refers to the maximum speed your engine can achieve without causing any damage. It is basically the limit you are allowed to take your engine to. The horsepower and the engine’s overall efficiency determine the red line amount.
The red line of the Rocket 350 is 6500 RPM, while the number is 5200 RPM for Chevy 350. It means you can take Rocket 350 to a higher speed without worrying about anything. Compared to this, the Chevy 350 has a way smaller number of red lines.
However, this doesn’t mean the Chevy 350 is a slow engine. It can move your car at the speed you can possibly need, but it doesn’t match Rocket 350.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy indicates the amount of fuel engines use. It is usually determined by the amount of fuel the engine consumes to move a mile.
The Rocket 350 has a fuel economy of 15 MPG (Miles Per Gallon), while the Chevy 350’s fuel economy is 18 MPG.
Chevy 350 has a better amount of fuel economy thanks to its comparatively low horsepower. Less horsepower means it doesn’t consume much fuel. This is why this engine can travel 18 miles with a gallon of gas.
On the other hand, Rocket 350 can only go 15 miles with a gallon of gasoline. The engine generates more horsepower to facilitate faster speed. For this reason, it tends to consume more fuel.
If saving money on fuel is one of your top priorities, then getting a Chevy 350 is a better option for you. However, if you need speed more than anything, then it would be better if you compromise a bit and choose rocket 350. Although you should remember the difference in speed is not that significant here.
The General Motors-owned Oldsmobile produced the acclaimed Rocket 350 during 1968-1980. Since then the engine has been a favorite. But Chevy is not any less famous. While both have reasons behind their popularity, only one is a perfect fit for your needs. And you probably now know which one it is.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both 350 and 350 Vortec are small-block Chevy engines. The difference is the 350 Vortec is actually an update of the 350 original engine. In the update, the 350 Vortec got a more efficient intake manifold. Not only this, it is also equipped with a better fuel injection system. This is mainly what differentiates 350 Vortec from 350.
Usually, a larger block is faster compared to a small block. A larger block can generate more energy than a small block. Apart from this, everything else is the same. However, the difference in speed also depends on the cars’ weight, the design of the track, the weather, and the drivers’ skill.
The answer is yes. Chevy 350 has an amazing variable valve timing system to optimize the performance of the vehicle while offering great fuel economy. It at least saves a lot of fuel compared to Rocket 35.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Chevy 350 has the upper hand in terms of horsepower. But Rocket 350 beats it at maximum engine speed. This feature helps Rocket 350 live up to its name. For this reason, if you need an engine efficient in speed, go for Rocket 350.
Unfortunately, this one is not ideal for dragging hefty objects. In case you are planning on driving a heavy vehicle with your engine, then you should go for Chevy 350. Surprisingly, this option will also save the extra bucks you would have to spend after fuel in Rocket 350. The only down-side here is a tad slower speed.
If you have your needs sorted, you now shouldn’t have any trouble picking a winner from Rocket 350 vs Chevy 350.
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