[techinspector1]

In my opinion, heads are the heart and soul of a motor. You can do anything else you want to to the motor, but if the heads are crap, the motor's crap. Others might argue that the cam is the most important piece in the motor but I would disagree. I'd much rather have excellent heads and an "also-ran" camshaft than vice-versa.

Consider this combination....
350 block
Check main bearing bores for being round and parallel, correct as necessary.
Bore +0.030" and hone with torque plates. Cut block deck height to 9.000".
Holley Systemax Part #300-503-1 Scroll down to Chevrolet Small Block V8....
http://www.strokerengine.com/HolleySystems.html
Holley 750, vacuum secondaries
Head gaskets- Fel-Pro 1003. (default gaskets for aluminum heads)
1 5/8" long tube headers
This combination will result in 425 ft/lbs of torque at a relatively low 4250 rpm's, where you can use it to accelerate your truck. Forget about hp and concentrate on torque ratings.
Some minor grinding may be necessary to the piston dome or the chamber in order for the 0.125" dome to clear. No big deal.
Static compression ratio will be roughly 10.2:1, Dynamic compression ratio will be 8.494:1, squish will be 0.041".
Intake valve closes at 44 degrees ABDC @0.050" tappet lift.

I'm uncertain as to whether this Holley kit is still available. If not, let me know and I'll find another tractable kit for you.

[vinniekq2]

the post that Tech just made is similar to what I recommended.Hes a little more conservative than I am. His combo would be a daily driver that the wife could drive with out fear and still have the punch you would like when she is not in the truck. That combo above would be very nice.

[wannabehero]

Well this isnt a daily driver. Just a weekend toy/cruiser. Any chance you guys can pit together a parts list so i can get to the ordering . Just want to make sure tho that all of this is pump gas streetable

[techinspector1]

Originally Posted by wannabehero

Well this isnt a daily driver. Just a weekend toy/cruiser. Any chance you guys can pit together a parts list so i can get to the ordering . Just want to make sure tho that all of this is pump gas streetable

Yeah, everything I suggest is pump gas compatible, unless otherwise stated.
Do you like the combination I posted, or do you want more power? I'm trying to watch out for your money too!!

Vinnie, thanks for the kind words. If the OP wants more power, maybe you'll want to chip in with a combo of yours.

[vinniekq2]

The budget is 3,000$.
thats what you posted
It costs me a G note for machine work and balancing.
you go price out the bolt on parts and gaskets,timing chain etc and tell us whats left

[wannabehero]

What cam intake and carb are you guys recommending. Im figuring to go with the scoggin dickey vortecs? Unless yall think id be better off with a different head.

I get gaskets and such for pennies through my shop account.

I want the best bang for the buck power wise. I can maybe stretch the budget to 4g if absolutely needed.

[vinniekq2]

both i and tech posted moderate dual plane intakes.If you want to step it up,try a single plane intake. My engine has a victor Jr. I make peak HP at 6500 with my combo.
If you can find a used intake,then use w/e that is,if its decent.most head manufacturers offer intakes and reasons to use theirs.
The most popular intake is the performer RPM air gap.

price out vortec heads Vs a good Al. , head like edelbrock e tec or dart shp or other heads like these

[wannabehero]

Im gonna get some lists made and post them up for you guys to look over if thats ok? I really appreciate all of your help guys. This is a whole new ball game for me.

[wannabehero]

So ive been doing a lot more reading. And heres what ive come up with

For a cam im thinking a lunati 70104lk
For an intake im thinking either a performer rpm or the air gap
Now for heads i need some help.
Ive narrowed it down to
S/d modified vortec
Patriot aluminum vortecs
Dart shp

What carb and distributer do you guys think?

[vinniekq2]

07104LUN
.490/.490
235/240@.050
290/297@.006
112 LSA
is this the cam you are talking about?
I dont like this cam

[wannabehero]

That was the cam reccomended in the holley kit. Id like to stick with a hyd flat tappet

[wannabehero]

Anyone else?

[techinspector1]

If you want to step it up a little, take a look at the Pro-filer 185 heads. One place on the site, they say 180cc, another place they say 185cc. Whatever. Either will wake up your 355 for a great price (under $1100 for a pair, assembled). I'd go with the 70cc chambers and straight plugs. The recipe I posted above used 68cc heads and I'd rather err on the side of caution with 70's than to raise the SCR and DCR too high with 64's.
SBC 23 Degree Cylinder Heads

[wannabehero]

Never heard of them....i have an idea of what heads i need but i still need cam and carb help. What about my hei setup? Good enough or?

[vinniekq2]

stock HEI is good to 4500 to 5000 RPM in stock form. I think of MSD6 as a minimum