I just bought a 1981 Z28 with a 350 4 barrel. I want more horsepower but i am limited by a budget. My goal is 400 horsepower at the rear wheels. So far i plan on headers + full exhaust, new valves, cams, heads, pistons, and the rest i can't decide on. Any suggestions?

 

Go check out the V8 modifications disscussion forums and check out the 350 modifications. In that you get a lot of posts on moding a carbed 350

 

Well my friend if u have a low budget ur gonna waste ur time. ur in the wrong hobby

 

Install a set of Dart Iron Eagle Heads, the 200's should work fine. A camshaft with about 230 degrees @ .050" valve lift, a decent single plane intake manifold ( IE: Edelbrock Victor Jr. ), a 750 cfm carb and a good ignition. Get the headers. You should be able to do this for $1200-$1500 and get in the horsepower area You want. I think 360-380 would be more realistic. Also put a 1" carb spacer if You have the room...worth anywhere from 10-25 Hp. Don't go any taller on the spacer, it'll hurt HP. If it's a 350, run about 34-38 degrees or total timing and make sure the carb is jetted right. Read a bit more, An 350 engine don't have Cams ( it only has 1 ) unless it's an OHC ( a 350 isn't ). If the short block is in good condition, just have it honed and deck surfaced w new cam bearings and freeze plugs. Put new rings and bearings ( don't replace the pistons if they're in good shape ). You should be able to do the short block pretty reasonable unless it needs boring and pistons. Good luck with Your project.

 

I have a intake manifold for sale

 

Well the engine isn't running...the guy i bought it from said he heard a bang and stweam started coming uot from under the hood and all the check engine lights came on. He said he had it towed to his house where it turned over but ran very poorly. So im going to get the block tested. If it's good i'll probably use it but otherwise i'll probably buy a crate engine and go from there. And my budget is more than $6000, i just don't want to spend more than i have to to get 350-400 horsepower.

 

roll with that budget

 

LOL...my uncle just put me into the idea of an LS1 crate engine...any thoughts?

 

LS1s are fast reliable and one hell of a motor to mod. The only thing about putting it in an old car is you have to get a computer to run the whole thing.

 

I would. If you get the LS 1 from GM performance it should come with the computer needed to run it.