[El Rob]

I am looking to build a fun street car with no track time. Not really a daily driver but i do put about 300 miles a month (mostly all in one day with the exception of a quick run to town)
Currently 83 El camino, hints the name
350 014 block, most likely stock
882 smogggger heads
7.5 2.73 rear end
700r4 dont know the stall.
1406 600cfm elderbrock

I just picked up a 89 350 10054727 with tbi but not planing on using the tbi. I am thinking of having the block checked out and machined if needed. If the block crank and pistons are good i would like to use them. I am looking for advice on cam and heads. I am thinking more torque then hp as it most likely will not see over 4k rpms ever. (400lbs would be awesome) . I have been looking at cams and heads to the point of confusing my self. I am thinking new heads with the possibility of aluminum. I really dont have a budget but the cheaper the better.

Does larger valves kill low end. I see most aluminum heads on summit has 2.020 valves and alot of iron has 1.94. i have a set of 450 heads off a 305 with the intake punched out to a 1.94/1.50. i know 305 heads on a 350 is a no no for most.

Thanks for any advice.

[vinniekq2]

Dart shp heads or equivalent,9.75 CR (ish) 220 @ 050 duration cam,520 lift, 750 cfm carb or equal in F.I.,probably a performer intake,balance,blue print as best you can afford, 1 5/8 primary tube headers. This will net 400/400

[454C10]

With a 700R you don't need a rear 2.73 gear. I would start by installing a 3.55 or 3.73 gear. This alone will make your car run much stronger.

Put in a 268H compcam, set of headers, RPM intake (not air gap), holley 750 3310, and a set of 180cc dart iron eagles with 64cc chambers.

Next time buy a 96 to 2000 350 vortec engine. These engines come with roller cams and vortec heads. Much much better than a 89' 350. Should be able to buy a complete 350 vortec engine in good shape for around 500.

Would be cheaper just to add a super charger to your current engine.

good luck!

[snakebit68]

If you're trying to build it inexpensively, I would recommend bolting on a good set of Vortec heads. The small CC chamber really boosts compression and they have similar flow numbers to many aftermarket heads at a fraction of the cost. I have used these heads on many builds, coupled with a mild cam, headers and a decent carb and intake...300 hp is a realistic expectation... not to mention you can also obtain near 20 MPG with this combo

[snakebit68]

I would recommend a dual plane intake...Edelbrock...and Edelbrock 600 CFM carb. Anything bigger would compromise fuel economy and give poor throttle response. I've been racing for many years and only used 750 or larger carbs on a small block in all out race engines. In fact, I once had a 750 carb on an engine and a friend suggested it was too much carb for my small block, so we bolted on an out of the box Holley 600 and I shaved .20 off my time. It ran a consistant 12.70 and dropped to a smoother 12.50....and burned less fuel doing it.

[vinniekq2]

Originally Posted by snakebit68

I would recommend a dual plane intake...Edelbrock...and Edelbrock 600 CFM carb. Anything bigger would compromise fuel economy and give poor throttle response. I've been racing for many years and only used 750 or larger carbs on a small block in all out race engines. In fact, I once had a 750 carb on an engine and a friend suggested it was too much carb for my small block, so we bolted on an out of the box Holley 600 and I shaved .20 off my time. It ran a consistant 12.70 and dropped to a smoother 12.50....and burned less fuel doing it.

what kind of car ran 12.5 with a 600 and what was your mph with both carbs?

[snakebit68]

I dont recall MPH as it was several years back. But the car was a mustang with a small block chevy in it. If I recall correctly I think the MPH were faster with the bigger carb but the times were slower. Smaller carb got me out of the hole quicker, better bottom end response...bit did fall flat at the topp side of the track. BUT...a quicker time is a quicker time. LOL I'm only running a 750 on my s-15 now and that has 546 hp without the NOS. It didnt respond to larger carbs, so bigger isnt always better. My s-15 on the bottle runs high 9's...when it can hook up. Working on putting in a ladder bar suspension now to improve launch.

[vinniekq2]

If your previous car had higher mph with the bigger carb then the engine was making more horse power with the bigger carb
If your 383 runs 9s? whats the MPH on that car? and what makes you think ladder bars will hook better?
that 546 hp,is that before the nitrous or with the nitrous?

[snakebit68]

Its in a GMC S-15. Rear suspension is lowered with drag shocks and traction bars. It launches a bit squirrely due to tire size limitations. Ladder bar with narrowed rearend will allow tubbing... hence larger and wider tire. Coil overs will help with weight transfer and launch.

[snakebit68]

MPH is 136 @ 10.16 on motor alone. Have NOS but dont use it at the track due to traction issues. Need to have consistant times in order to win...LOL

[snakebit68]

And TRUE...the bigger carb produced more HP...but HP doesn't win races. The smaller carb produced more torque, which gets you out of the hole quicker. Torque gets the car in motion, not horsepower, horsepower only comes into play at the top end of the track.

[vinniekq2]

If you are going 9.99s with 546 horse power,your truck needs to weigh 2500 pounds
a smaller carb rarely makes more torque. Some people put carbs on that are too big for maximum benefits,though a 600 and 12 second car should be a lot slower than the same v-8 with a 750.
when I bought my 67 Camaro,the previous owner went a best time ever of 13.9. I took off the box stock 600 and replaced it with a box stock 750 and my first pass was 13.4

[El Rob]

I guess i did not really price the vortec heads before but at $335 assembled 060 is not a bad price. 906 vs 060. I do have valves i could use but no springs.
Chevrolet Performance Vortec Cylinder Heads 12558060 - SummitRacing.com
could i use the springs that come with the 060 assembled.

I read nothing but problems with people trying to get headers to fit on 78-87 El Caminos.

The compcam 268h rpm range starts at 1800 rmps. Do you think that is to high? yall would have a better idea then i would. Would it still give you a low end grunt. I am sure the smaller gears would help.

Thanks for the responses.

[snakebit68]

Keep in mind that your camaro probably had a high compression engine from the factory. Most 350's now days are lucky to have 8.5 to 1 compression. And my S-15 weighs in around 2800 plus my weight

[vinniekq2]

snake,your truck has to be making closer to 640 hp to run 9.99,if it weighs 3000 pounds with you in it.