ok, so i have a 350 4 bolt main, bored .030, its been hot tanked, decked, etc ready to build, i have a cast iron crank, forged pistons and h beam rods 5.7 inch 9.5:1 compression and a choice of heads either z28 heads 1.8 intake and 1.60 exhaust, or world products 2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust, however if i use the 202s i need to machine the pistons for valve clearance i think the cam is 525 or 540 i cant remember for sure, im not sure whether or not to use what i have or sell off the stuff and build from scratch

 

Are you sure the piston wont clear the 2.02" intakes? I'd go for the 2.02 heads if possible, but I'd drop them on the block with a head gasket, but not bolted down. Then turn the engine with a breaker bar and se if the heads lift at all while cranking it over.
If they don't lift, then you can put some modeling putty on top of one piston and do it again. Once it's cranked over pull the head and see how much clearance the valve has by checking the indent in the putty. After doing these two tests you'll know what your actual clearance is.

 

i know the valves wont have the clearance but its not by much so just a little machining to the pistons at least thats what my uncle tells me, i want the 202s, and i may just sell off the rotating assembly and buy a new one if i can get enough for it, it is balanced and everything, also probably gonna sell the z28 heads, should be able to pull some cash for them if someone is doing a numbers resto i would think, do you think 9.5:1 is ok to add a 150 shot sprayplate onto? ive been really thinkin about it

 

No. I think if you want to add NOS you better go with a lower compression ratio. The 9.5:1 is an excellent choice for normally aspirated engines on today's gas, but with 150 shot it will up the compression to levels that may lead to a melt down over the long run.

 

hmm, well thats good to know, i'm still not sure on the nitrous or not yet, this is a budget build and thats why i am using what i have if i can, this way i can put more money elsewhere, the car needs a new interrior, electrical, paint, i am thinking about it has a th350 trans, i am thinking about dumping it and buying a th400 complete from b&m i can get it for 1040, and since i dont really need anything for the motor i think it would be a good investment, especially because i do plan on building up the motor in the future when money is more liquid, so besides the trans also want to put a 4 link in the back with 3.73 gears

 

Sounds like a lot to do on a budget build. Not sure you can do a budget build and still use a 4 link.?

 

i was planning on pulling one out of a vet or sumthing

 

Not out of a Vette! That's a whole IRS rear, so you'd need the entire rear, plus links, plus fabricate all the mounts. The Vette differential is fixed, and the arms and axles are floating. The IRS from a Vette will sell for about $1500-$2,000 used, plus all the fab work you'd need to do to make it fit your car, if the width is even correct.
Better to buy a 4 link system to adapt to a solid rear axle that a Camaro has. At least cost and labor wise!

 

well thanks for that, i didnt know, first things first i gotta get the engine built and decide on the trans, probably gonna have my buddy whos now fully ase certified master mechanic to rebuild the TH350 i have, i still want to put that B&M shifter in the car though its so sweet looking

 

The B&M does look good, and I really like the way they shift. I find myself using it in the "normal" mode most the time, but it's fun using the ratchet mode when you're shooting down a freeway on ramp! My automatic is a full manaul shift, so the B&M gets a lot of work around town!