Well I'm going to be picking up a 1991 RS this weekend with a 305. I want to build a 350 but I would like to see what it's going to take both in time and money.
On a budget so would it be possible to build a 350 with around 400+ hp with about Under $800?

Also if this is the wrong section, mods please move it.

 

One word----NO

 

Let's say you get a deal on craig's list or somewhere and actually get a 350 for 150 bucks with heads, block, intake, etc. I've seen them for cheaper occasionally but not by much. Just refreshing the engine at a machine shop would be about 500+ bucks depending on where you go and who you know. 200 - 300 for the block if you do it right and about 200 - 300 for the heads to be rebuilt. Going on the low end and just hypothetically you get the heads and block done cheap and get away with 150 for each that's still 300 bucks plus the 150 you've already spent for a grand total of 450 bucks. That leaves you with 350 left which isn't a lot. That's also just "refreshing" them and not beefing them up, grinding the heads to accept bigger springs for higher lift and a bigger cam. If they're stock heads then they probably won't have larger valves so getting that machined and paying for the new valves will cost you even more. Having cam bearings installed will cost also. You'll probably need new rods to handle higher RPMs and HP and new pistons to give higher compression and a new cam. You can get Scat rods (170), Keith Black Claimer Pistons (100) and a new cam (60 - 80 depending on) for cheap but that alone will eat up the rest of your money without even blinking. Then there's all new gaskets, new piston rings, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor and all the little things that will nickle and dime your rebuild like oil, replacement bolts, hoses, etc. If you want to paint it with VHT, Plastikote, etc. that'll cost you about 6 - 9 bucks a can and you'll definantly use a couple. This is also with you doing it all yourself except for boring, honing and decking your block and having your heads rebuilt. Having someone else do it for you would cost the majority of your money alone just in labor depending on where you go and who you know.

 

I think if you did an entire rebuild there is little chance you would have to get a great deal on a 350 in good enough shape it didnt need a bottom end rebuild do some work to a set of junkyard vortec heads and put like a 270 comp cam in it it might get you sorta close. I have another idea I was going to try, I was thinking about getting a vortec 350 like a 1998 truck one I am not sure about the pricing but if you could find a good one they are already roller cam ready I think you could reuse the lifters get a better cam do some home mods to the heads get an aftermarket intake used vac secondary 750 holley thin head gaskets.. carb and intake would be $200 to $250 cam $150 new valve springs $80... dosent look good I dont think you will find a vortec 350 for $400. I personnally think it would be difficult it all depends on what kind of deals you can make.