[1985cutlassmuscle]

I am new to all this engine building and I just need some help. I have a 350ci sbc that is bored .40 over, has a Edelbrock performer intake, 650cfm Holley carburetor, headers and the block a 1 rear main seal it a block that wasade between 1988-1994. Anyways I got it rebuilt about 5 years ago it's got 12000kms on it so low mileage. I want to switch the heads on it and cam. Or if there are other ways of making good horsepower I would like to know as well anything will help. But to start what would be some good heads that I can just put on as well as a nice cam? I'd appreciate the help and it it mated to a th350 with a shift kit and I am not sure how much power I can pit to it without bad thongs happening. Anyways please someone help as I said just starting out in this and I would love some help.

 

[bigdog7373]

What is it in? What is it used for? Current cr? Head casting number? Rear gear ratio? What cam does it have now?

 

[74_camaro]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RHS-12024-02/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60103LK/

These are the heads and cams that I would probably suggest for you, or another head similar to this one. This is the setup I plan on doing on my car whenever I get the money together for them. They will work just fine for a street car and be quite fun! Put a 2200-2500 stall on the tranny and you should be good to go. Also might want to think about some 3.73's or something like that for the rear end as well.

 

[Richiehd]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RHS-12024-02/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60103LK/

These are the heads and cams that I would probably suggest for you, or another head similar to this one. This is the setup I plan on doing on my car whenever I get the money together for them. They will work just fine for a street car and be quite fun! Put a 2200-2500 stall on the tranny and you should be good to go. Also might want to think about some 3.73's or something like that for the rear end as well.

I like that cam, but you might be better off with the Dart Iron Eagle heads. 195 intake runners, 2.02s, flow better than any stock head and less money, around $500 each. Just right for a street car.

 

[bigdog7373]

How can you guys suggest parts when you know almost nothing about the engine or the rest of the car?

 

[cool rockin daddy]

"How can you guys suggest parts when you know almost nothing about the engine or the rest of the car?"

Was thinking the same thing, Bigdog. That "recommended" cam might necessitate changing the converter if automatic. 195 cc heads are right on the ragged edge of being too big for a street car. 180 cc volume heads would be a better choice, but the best heads for a street car would be 062 Vortecs or the Bowtie 180 Vortecs. But as you said, it's all useless without knowing the details of the car and it's intended use.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Go there I don't know what heads or cam are in it now, because a guy rebuilt it for me. I know the block was a 350ci built from 1988-1994. I have 3:73 gearing in the back. I have a b&m quicksilver shifter it is automatic but I hav the ratchet shifter so I can use it for manual shifting too. If you need the casting number for the heads where do I fond that number on the heads I have? The car is a 1985 cutlass supreme and I drive it maybe once or twice a week and I want a fast car so am looking for food hotsepower numbers. I am just curious what to do with the heads and cams I hope that helps. I'll check back later

 

[bigdog7373]

So its a street car i assume? How much do you want to spend? Stock torque converter? Would you want to upgrade? Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to get some info so me or someone else can give you accurate suggestions.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Well I presume it's a stock torque converter. Yes it's a street car. Well I am just trying to decide wether to go with a procharger for power or just build the engine. Oh and the compression is 9:1. So I am willing to spend about $4000 either way. Just trying to figure out my best bang for my buck. Thanks for the help and I understand why you have to ask all the questions. You are helping me so totally cool. I appreciate all the responses.

 

[bigdog7373]

Well if you want to use forced induction you will have to build it deffiently, ie: cam choice, cr, pistons, etc...
If your'r going to stay n/a then i'd get a good set of aluminum heads. I'm not sure what heads you have on there now and what size combustion chambers they have, so i cant suggest some. But difinitely aluminum, save weight too. If you can get the head casting numbers then i could tell you what heads would be good.
If you want to make serious power then you will need a decent sized cam. Would you want to keep the stock converter or would using a higher stall one be something you'd want?
One thing i can tell you for sure is that you will need a new intake and carb. The performer is best on stock engines. For performance you'll want to look into a performer rpm. The 650 carb won't be enough. You'll need a 750. I'd stay vaccum secondaries for the street.
You'll need headers and dual 2.5” exhaust with good flowing mufflers if you dont have that already. And h pipe would be a good idea too. For mufflers, i like thrush. Their turbo muffler sounds real nice, a little quiet for my taste though. Their 2 chamber sounds awsome with a big cam, not too loud, but you will definitely be heard.

 

[caaraa]

That "recommended" cam might necessitate changing the converter if automatic.

 

[bigdog7373]

Anything over 1500+ rpm range will need a new converter.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Thanks for all the suggestions I will get the number of the heads tomorrow and then hopefully I can get a better idea of where to go. I have headers and dual exhaust with flowmaster exhaust. They sound really nice. Have a good night everyone and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

 

[Landshark928]

For $4K you can get a complete 383 crate engine at around 400+HP. Plenty of them on the net. Why not swap the whole thing out?

You should be able to get decent heads and cam for well less than half of that.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Well I was thinking about the 383 but I was just seeing if I could get that type of horsepower from what I've got and I am working to become a mechanic and I would love to get more experience working on the engine I have as well as I wouldn't have to get rid of my engine I have nowhere to store it. I live in a condo. Thanks for the suggestion though. When I got this 350 built the guy told me after that I should've made a 383 I was like why didnt you tell me that earlier. Anyways I will get the casting numbers up tonight for my heads thanks guys. Have a good day everyone.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Hi everyone well I got the cylinder head casting number which I'd 14102183 and the block number is 14093638. I hope those are the right numbers anyways hope you guys can help me.

 

[bigdog7373]

I'd go with something like these for heads. http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot-Performance/723/2169/10002/-1?parentProductId=. They'll up you comoression just slightly too. And they are a great deal. Havent head anything bad about them.

As for the cam i would use this http://www.jegs.com/i/Lunati/638/00012LK/10002/-1?parentProductId=746614. With a 2800 or 3k rpm stall converter.

 

[1985cutlassmuscle]

Awesome thanks for the reply. So my question is how much horsepower do you think I will get with that? Also can I use a procharger with this combo. Just for future reference.

 

[cool rockin daddy]

You need to go to the Procharger site and get their recommendations for using one of their superchargers, specifically compression ratio. You CANNOT slap some new heads on an engine now with the idea of supercharging it later without knowing the type of pistons you have, how far in the cylinder they are a TDC, and what the cc of the chamber on heads are. You have to PLAN your engine out, especially if you want it to live with a supercharger.

 

[bigdog7373]

You'll be hitting the 400 mark most likely.
You'll need a 750 carb and peeformer rpm intake too if you want to get anything oyt out the engine. Make sure you change your timing chain too. I'd go the double roller route. And no, you cant use forced induction with it. The compression will be too high.