hey guys,

I have a 78 camaro RS. It has a 350TH trans and a 411 rear diff. I want to build a nice 350 horse street motor for it. I have alot of the parts but I wanted to run them by you guys for advise. Also wondering the best setup for heads? Any input is greatly appreciated! Here is what I have:

1993 SBC 350:
1 pc rear seal 2 bolt main bored .030 over
stock crank checked and polished
stock piston rods cleaned and checked
new badger .030 over pistons w 4 valve reliefs and I believe they have a 9.5:1 ratio
new general kinetics hydraulic cam w 480 lift/280 duration and intake lobe centerline is 108 ATDC

On the cam spec card it says to run 1.5 rockers and 651 springs. Am I on the right track with all of this? Thanks for your time!

 

Aluminum or iron heads?

What do you want (goals) from this engine?

 

hey MK,

Thanks for reply. I am thinking about aluminum heads but not set. I had my eyes on the jegs brand I can get a set for about 500 bucks. Basically I want a good street motor. Around 350 horse and 350 lbs of tourque. Must be durable and reliable! I take my car to shows and drive through town so I want it to run cool at idle. Also Im looking for crisp throttle response at low rpms. Any suggestions?

 

So in other words, you want a nice lobe at idle while having the torque to throw you back in the seat when you want to get on it? Okay, now we got a basis for a plan. Bigger question though, how much do you want/have to spend on such an engine?

 

I have around 1500 bucks to spend for the heads and intake. I was hoping to use one of my old carbs for now. I have a 600 edelbrock and a holley 600 also. Not sure which is better there but I have more experience w the edelbrock. Also the exhaust is hooker headers and flowmaster mufflers. Oh yeah I need to get a new converer as well and would like to fit that in my budget as well but not a deal breaker.

 

With that low of a budget, I'd look around at what others have done. I can tell you what I would do, but it'd require you to trade/return some stuff and might cost a little more.

Are we talking catalytic converter or torque converter?
Here's a good read.
Chevy 350 Engine Build - Super Chevy Magazine

 

Well Im open to suggestions. With all due respect, what is wrong with the parts I already have? I only paid 150 bucks for the pistons and cam. Cant return them though. As far as converter I was talking about getting a 2200-2500 stall.

 

The only thing I don't like about the pistons in the four valve relief. I would have bought one's with two valve instead. The only reason the factory one's were four, was ease of assembly. They didn't have to look to make sure the valve reliefs were in the right spot.

I'm big on the high compression, all engine beasts. I would have shot for 10+:1 compression. But, I've seen 9.5:1 make some decent numbers. But the cam and the heads are going to make you the power. I'd see if you can find a good set of heads to match the cam you have now. Any more info on the cam?

 

It is a hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft.
Valve lash-EX 000 INT 000
Timing-EX OPEN 72 BBDC
EX CLOSE 36 ATDC
INT OPEN 36 BTDC
INT CLOSE 72 ABDC

LOBE CENTERLINES EX to INT 108

LIFT 480/480
DURATION 288/288

Thats all I have on the spec card. I am not against getting better pistons or different cam if need be. Just let me know. Thanks

 

Different pistons is up to you.

What's the duration at .050"?

Went looking through the Summit catalog, and found a set of there heads for $995.95. Aluminum, good for up to 5,500 rpm, 62cc chambers, 170cc intake, 69cc exhaust. Depending on what the duration is at .050, these might just do it for you.