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

 

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

 

hooker headers and duel 2 1/2 old flomaster mufflers

 

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 :thumbup:

 

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.

 

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 :thumbup:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

Is your cam the XE268? If so, see the second combo- http://www.ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos1.html

BTW, that's brake HP, not rear wheel HP. No way I see that cam making 400 HP w/o a lot of port work to your heads, better induction system, bigger exhaust system. Or better heads to begin with.

Now, if you have the roller version that's another story. Enough cam for 400-plus brake HP if you have strong heads to go w/it.

What are you basing your performance on? Have you been to the drag strip to get a quarter mile MPH and ET? Or are you judging it by the seat of your pants?

 

I've got those heads and I'm very happy with them performance wise. I even used the performer rpm cam and intake like they say not to do, I just learned that you have to keep the rpms down below 6000, or it'll absolutely destroy the spring dampeners.

Right now with my rev limiter set at 5300, shifting at 5000 rpm in a 1980 el camino with an open 2.73 rear gear I can do 0-60 in 5 seconds. (I hope that's somewhat of an impressive story about those heads, maybe 0-60 in 5 seconds with my setup is too slow)

 

Hey cobalt, yes its the EX268 camshaft. I havent spun the car on the dyno yet...I have a dyno at work i plan on using when the snow melts. Im basing the performance on past builds.

 

Yes, better intake and carb and more initial timing would help.

I like the regular rpm intakes (not air gap) and the holley 3310 (750 vac secondary). Air gaps are very slow to warm up and crap always falls under the carb.

20 to 25 degrees of timing at idle, and 36 total. plus another 10 to 12 from the vacuum advance.

Your cam is a little small for max power, but is a good street cam. If you plan to drive it on the street a lot then the cam you have is pretty good. Maybe you need more cids and one more step up in cam size.

Or maybe a little 100 hp shot of N02 would make it OK.

Your car is much heavier than you think. Go get weighed so you know exactly what you are working with.

 

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

What do u call timing "straight up" r u talking about timing a cam to line up with the timing dots.
Or r u talking about straight up timing?
I realize this has nothing to do with the original question he has already gotten exellent advice on that.......

 

What headers are you running? With a good exhaust your combo should be able to make 400hp at the flywheel. Sure all of these parts could be improved but I think your restriction could be your exhaust.

For 400hp the heads are fine, the cam is fine, the intake is fine, the carb is a little small, but what about the exhaust? Your ignition timing needs tuning too but if your total is correct more initial will only affect it below 3,000 rpm, perhaps even only below 2500 rpm depending on the current advance springs.

 

What headers are you running? With a good exhaust your combo should be able to make 400hp at the flywheel. Sure all of these parts could be improved but I think your restriction could be your exhaust.

For 400hp the heads are fine, the cam is fine, the intake is fine, the carb is a little small, but what about the exhaust?

hooker headers and duel 2 1/2 old flomaster mufflers

whats the smallest tube size on hookers?
the rest is ok, maybe a cross-over or H-pipe would help

 

whats the smallest tube size on hookers?
the rest is ok, maybe a cross-over or H-pipe would help

Flowmasters don't flow so well either. Could be losing 20hp with just those.

 

just because the carb is sized appropriately doesn't mean it's performing up to par.

Also note my neighbors kid had a timing ring that had moved on his dampener....he suddenly found all kinds of power by using a timing tape before replacing the balancer.

Vacuum Leaks and PCV system not up to par can all add up to incremental losses.

Are your Hooker Headers shorties or longtubes

 

What do u call timing "straight up" r u talking about timing a cam to line up with the timing dots.
Or r u talking about straight up timing?
I realize this has nothing to do with the original question he has already gotten exellent advice on that.......

In my post asked if he installed the cam straight up, no question what that means. The next query about timing is ignition related. I suppose it could have been taken another way or confuse some, doesn't matter now. :thumbup:

 

the headers are 1 5/8 long tube

 

Put a set of AFR 195cc SBC Eliminator heads on and im very happy now. I should of remembered you get what you pay for thanks for all the advise guys.