[theitalian]

Hi guys i built a 355 with flat tops(9.5:1), comp cam xe 224/230 a set of 64cc edelbrock e street heads and a edelbrock 1406 carb(rejetted) brand new msd dizy. Im not happy with the performance at all, im thinking heads arnt the best....looking for any advise of what to change i was looking for the 375hp mark....thanks alot...
Mark

[68NovaSS]

Tell more. Did you install the cam straight up, what's your timing, what ignition, exhaust? Trans and gears? Vehicle information, weight, etc.

[theitalian]

Cam is on standerd time, base timing 14 total timing 36 , dizy is a msd street fire, intake is a 2101 edelbrock performer. The engine is in a 73 camaro weight......3300 lbs...im guessing th350 tras 2500 stall 373 posi
Thanks

[theitalian]

hooker headers and duel 2 1/2 old flomaster mufflers

[F-BIRD'88]

SBC 73 camaros weight 3650 3700 lbs with the average driver.

Some things you can do.

Port the heads. These are basicly good but as cast entry level aluminum heads.
They will wake up a lot lot lot with some porting to clean things up.
Shave the decks a bit and reinstall with thin head gaskets to raise the compression ratio.

Get a RPM style dual plane hi rise intake and 750cfm carb.

recurve the distributor for 24deg initial and 34-36 total. (10-12deg advance curve limit.)

get a high stall converter. A 10" 3500 stall is not too much. Makes a huge difference.
Degree the cam to verify valve timing points. Move it if nessessary.

Fix the exhzust system. Big 2.5" pipes and turbo style mufflers

The MPH from a 1/4 mile drag time slip will tell you how much horsepower you are really producing. A 375hp engine in your camaro should run a 104 MPH.

If you make the changes I outlined it should go high 12's (worst very low 13's @104 on sticky tires.

Can use up to a 4.56 rear gear.

These heads have 400hp+ potential but may need some sweetening from out of the box form. They are basicly good heads.
Any as cast head improves a lot with porting.

Weigh your car with you in it. Do a simple compression test on the engine to verify it is healthy.

[matts37chev]

my guess would be, you need more cam and a better intake (Performer RPM)
I think the heads are OK, but I'm no expert
there are some more guys with better info, around here

[theitalian]

Thanks alot for the replys, can anyone recomend a good book on porting and polishing heads? The other problem i think i might have is hood clearance with a bigger intake and i dont want to change the hood.

[matts37chev]

Originally Posted by theitalian

The other problem i think i might have is hood clearance with a bigger intake and i dont want to change the hood.

different air cleaner

[the nitro man]

Get a RPM style dual plane hi rise intake and 750cfm carb.

re-curve the distributor for 24deg initial (at idle) and 34-36 total (in about 2,400 rpm.)

get a 10" 3500 stall.

Degree the cam to verify valve timing points. Move it if necessary.

2.5"-3" pipes and flow-master mufflers

i think the heads are fine, i've seen them make killer power out of the box.

[ap72]

the heads will have no problem with 400hp. the camshaft can get there too. the induction and exhaust could use some work. more initial timing will help low end torque but won't change peak HP.

[THE BIG AL]

Heads are not the hole issue.

the carb and cam are moderate. Not capable of making good solid HP.

A better cam and carb will make better use of the heads.


Your build is moderate build, your only going to get moderate results.

IMHO
Al

[tjet]

You need to start looking at other things before you do anything with those heads. Maybe the advance in your new distributor is sticking, or the secondaries aren't working, etc...

You should look for a place that will dyno tune it as it is now

[the nitro man]

Originally Posted by the nitro man

Get a RPM style dual plane hi rise intake and 750cfm carb.

re-curve the distributor for 24deg initial (at idle) and 34-36 total (in about 2,400 rpm.)

get a 10" 3500 stall.

Degree the cam to verify valve timing points. Move it if necessary.

2.5"-3" pipes and flow-master mufflers

i think the heads are fine, i've seen them make killer power out of the box.

i would go with more cam to. the one you have is on the small side for my liking.

[spinn]

The RPM intake is my least favorite. Never made more power than the perfomer on mild engines.

Using the entire Edelbrk RPM package it works like a fine tuned instrument.

The torquer 2 is the -6000rpm low rise single plane. If your build was between the performer 350 package and the RPM 350 engine package, that is my choice. Fits under a lot of the low hoods.

[whyholdback]

Wrong carb, wrong intake. You need a 750 on an RPM AirGap.