I Have a 1980 z28 with a 350. Right now its pretty stock. its got a wieland intake and a edelbrock carb and some cheapy headers also has 4.10 gears. the car is pretty fast as it is, at least to about 95-100 lol. it keeps up with my friends 97 6spd. z28 with borla exhaust/pro chip/headers and air intake. anyways i was thinking about getting a valve job on my heads, was just wondering if that would help any. if anybody had any suggestions post away!!

 

I guess it depends on what heads you have what are the casting numbers? In general heads of that era where not real good performance heads, when you add it up I dont even think the smog heads are even worth rebuilding(new guides springs and valve job) you would be better off saving you money and go aftermarket or vortec. I would consider a camshaft and lifter upgrade though.

 

hey. heres what i would do with my car...instead of just doen a valve job on your heads is take the motor out and bore it .30 over....maybee stroke it. get new heads and chuck the old stock heads (well keep them if u wanna rebuild the stock motor) bump up the compression...i think stock its like 8.5 or something bump it a lil bit and to go along with your carb and manifold do a cam.( you have the motor apart put the cam.) and to top it all off put a fluid filled harmonic balancer. and youd have a pretty nice motor...drop it in put your headers on and va va voom a pretty nice set up

 

where on the #'s on the heads. i cant look tomorrow b/c i have graduation. so i can post the #'s on tuesday. I think i was going to take out a loan and have my motor rebuilt and tranny replaced as well. theres a place called HNH machine shop that said that would would pull my motor and rebuild it for about $2000 bucks. they told me they could get about 300hp out of the stock motor. Im thinking i want to have then but a big cam in it for the noise and the performance. anybody think thats too much? i mean i can buy a 290hp brand new motor from GM for 1400. any more thoughts?

 

I would get the goodwrench crate new, it would be better then the rebuild. With a few more hundred you can get the 350 hp motor.

 

Take the valve cover off the number will be cast in the surface generally we go by the last 3 numbers such as 882, 493, 993.The factory heads had 76cc chanbers The casting will not tell you what size valves you have though, you need to measure them. The rebuild cost will be up to you I would believe for $2000 you would not be getting anymore than what gm is giving you, I would find out what exactly they are planning to do for the money. Big radical cams may sound good but there are drawbacks associated with them one being low vacuum at idle affecting your power brakes and another is that they require increased engine compression to operate properly you may have a big cam but not gain anything from it unless the rest of your engine will support it. Reasearch dynamic compression ratios to get a better understanding of what I am talking apout. . There are several ways to increase compression piston change, increasing stroke, smaller combustion chamber, decking the block, thin head gaskets.

 

i have a 1981 camaro with a 350 4 bolt main engine, elderbrock performer intake, elderbrock 650 4 barrel carb, chrome valve covers and breather, dual exhaust, flowmasters, 350 turbo tranny with B&M shift kit, i just got it a few weeks ago and i just wanted to know whats the cheepest parts to put into it for more power

 

Headers and a cheap set of 'bullet' fiberglassheader mufflers. Don't add anything else to the exhaust. You WILL see more performance....(and by experiance, I can tell you, you WILL see cops in your rearview mirror with the gumballs glowing more often as well......) [sm=bustedsign.gif]

 

I suspect there are a number of reputable engine builders in the DFW area. Check out the for sale boards at the drag strip...
also try racingjunk.com

My advise is to buy a built motor. swap the old one out and keep it as a spare...

Are you running sub frame connectors? if not buy them.much more power than you have now will create future problems...

G