well id like to wake it up.............im a collector not a hoarder

timbuk wrote:

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double bumps, fender exit headers and that tunnel ram stickin out the hood!

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 Agree except the fenderwell part of it. Oh, and also except the tunnel ram.

Ok, let's just say I'd use those heads...........

Seriously, how bad do you want to make it? Those heads, decent cam, carb and intake will make it fun. Our cars are pretty light.

What pistons are you using?

Most certainly.

How about your exhaust? I am NOT a header guy but that would sure improve it if you're bent on power.

nos works good on stock 350'S :)

Sell the camel hump heads and go with a set of vortec truck heads from a 96 - 99 pickup truck. You can use the vortec heads as is with todays gas they out flow the camel hump heads  and an aftermarket intake to fit the vortec heads are available resonably priced. The vortec heads also have the accessory bolt holes. An edelbrock performer camshaft with vortec heads an aluminium intake and a 600 cfm carb will give you around 300 hp with your stock pistons.

Al

Al's suggestion is very good and basically bolt on parts for you.

What is the going rate for a salvage yard Vortec 5700 these days Al ? A swap would work too.

In this area $200 a set. The 96-99 trucks are very popular up north. Buying a used set of vortec heads is cheaper than rebuilding a set of the older style small block heads and they are useable as is. Economically the cheapest way to get hp out of an 80's small block is use the stock bottom end and use vortec heads edelbrock performer camshaft and an equivalant intake and small 600 cfm carb.  The best thing is the increase in gas mileage over the mid 80's smogger engines. No worry about blowing the rings unless the engine is already smoking and a high miler.

Another easy 15 hp is using the oil pan and windage tray and windage bolts from a vortec engine. A lot cheaper than usiing the early Z28 oil pan and  windage tray. The mounting studs between the two engines are the same.

Al

Hey,my engine in my Acadian is a .030 over w/ O E style dished pistons,487 heads w/ 2.02 / 1.60 valves(big chamber heads), Comp 280 H cam (.488 approx) Comp Roller Rockers (easy bolt on 15 hp) old  Ebelbrock TM-1 single plane intake, Quadrajet Marine Carb,and Petronix Distributor. 3.73 gears,3000 stall,350 turbo w/ shift kit.   The double humps will boost the cr a point or 1.5 points. The 280h cam is nice and lopey at idle and screams to well over 6500rpm. This combo in my 84 2wheel drive Jimmy went 13.446@99.9 mph,capped ,no race fuel,no tunning,no slicks,with a posi. I AM OLD SCHOOL  .Have fun,it's a blast.    John , and yes,a windage tray is an easy free 15 /20 hp,dyno proven.

-- Edited by Coined on Thursday 21st of June 2012 12:24:07 PM

-- Edited by Coined on Thursday 21st of June 2012 12:27:34 PM

Taylor55 is giving you good advice. Vortex heads are the way to go. Best flowing heads for the money - period. I haven't priced them in the last 5 years, but you used to be able to buy brand new ones for less than rebuilding old ones. Check out GM Perfirmance Parts. They're 64 cc so you will likely get about 9.5:1. An RV style cam and you're looking at 350+ ft-lbs and 300+ HP. Good useable HP and torque.

Leave the tunnel ram for show or drag racing. You won't make as much torque and unless you feel lucky and don't mind spinning that stock 350 at 6500+ RPM, you won't make the power either.