let me start with this so you get an idea of what im trying to achieve..like i said im basically a newbie..id like to basically do everything on the car...engine/trans/exhaust/and other small odds and ends...but the thing is id dont want to go too crazy with spending alot of money...if you say that i could achieve about 350 to 400 hp thats sufficient enough for me...if you say that block is cool then i trust your judgement...so you say that with the pistons and rods i should just keep them and not get different ones or bore the block cause that wont make too much of a difference..right? well then let me ask you a few questions...with the heads..what do you suggest i take a look at..should i stick with dart but get like you said something smaller like maybe 215cc? (http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku) cause they dont have any smaller than 215cc and im looking to buy it as a combo/kit. for this kit i chose the hydraulic roller tappet camshaft style option like you suggested...does that seem like its a little bit of a better investment? also if that setup is cool in your opinion then what cam would you suggest i get?

 

i was curious...how do i decide which heads to choose for my block, what specs should i look at...by that i mean why go with a 215cc instead of a 200cc..or why is 230cc way to big,and id be better off with a 200cc or smaller...what id like to know is how do i take the specs and calculate/crunch the numbers to make a flawless choice? and i was also curious once i have selected a head...how do i match it up to a cam? like what numbers do i have to calculate/crunch from the specs in order to match them together perfectly?

 

can some one break it down for me in cold hard facts and not just opinions..how do i choose heads and a cam to match it based on the specs...if i take a 350 and wanna get heads...how do i calculate..depending on the heads im looking at what i am to expect out of the engine...power wise...and also getting the right cam.(taking the cam specs while looking at the head specs and calculating which cam id be better off getting).

 

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Basically, in reference to the runner sizes on heads, you have to pay attention to velocity, not just runner size. If it's too big, it gets the stuff to the motor but slower. You have to get just the right size to get the most amount of fuel to the combustion chambers. Too small and it like sucking through a straw.A bitsmall is better than too big though! Don't over-do it on runner size!

 

okay..well then let me ask you this...how do i know what the velocity should be..and how do i calculate the velocity?

 

Hm, you know I'm not really 100% sure on that, anyone have some input?

 

i made a phone call to a tech and they suggested the afr 65cc heads (AFR-1034) XR282HR cam(08-432-8 or 12-432-8 [10]) or 280h cam (08-430-8)..said 3.73 gears sound good...and a 2300-2500 stall converter non-lockup...also i think the edelbrock performer rpm air gap mainfold..they also suggested trick flow...but im kinda leaning towards afr..and i asked them about switching to carbureted...they said i would have to see if i could do that, based on emissions..or the regulations in my area...or something like that...anyone want to chime in and offer an opinion on the setup that they suggested...good/bad?

 

305/350 you will get comments all over the map about why a 350 is better;however, the 305 has got plenty of potential. Go to the enginemasters.com web site and muddel through until you can find, pull up and print an artical entitled "Hate Me". This artical has excellent specs and insight to the "bore/stroke" issue along with shrouding of the valves etc. They took a 160hp 305 and got it to 375hp without using a cam that requires a 3:73 rear end and 3000rpm stall converter. Go to your book store and find a S-A Design Wookbench Book by Larry Atherton & Larry Schreib titled "How To Build The Smallblock Chevrolet". I took a carbed 305 and 700R4 out of an '84 and put it in a '91 after removing the FI V6 and the in tank fuel pump. I was going to build & stroke my 305 to 335 but I did not want to have the car out of service for that long. I found a 350 4 bolt locally on craigs list for $200 which I can now build at my own pace. The 305 will love a set of GM 601 or 416 head castings. I have a set of 601's which I am porting and polishing along with comp beehive springs. I will swap the heads and cam next spring and run it until it blows up while I'm building my craigs list 350. If you could find a running 305 to put in your car for now at least you could be driving it while you "build" its original engie. Find the Engine Masters mag at a good book store, our SavOn drugs carries them but I believe they are published every three months. This is a great engine building magazine and far outshines any other hotrod magazine when it comes to detailed engine bulding and power secrets. I've done "everything" except a complete bottom end and to dothis correctly the first time it will take some time and patience.
Good luck to you and keep your 305 if you wish, this hobby is all about creativity and doing it "your way".

Roy

 

chevy hi performance magazine did a 13 secound rebuild of a stock ( not the HO) 305 for an 88 camaro. maybe it will help you out. all the articules are on line at that site