I doing a very budget L98 swap into a 1985 Monte Carlo SS. Staying carbed but Im hoping to do some budget stuff to make it worth the swap. So far I want to go with a RPM intake (under $100 used), a cam, not sure which one but leaning toward Speed Pro .436 lift and a .224 duration at .050 degrees Lobe centerline is less that 110 cam ($25 local) and some used 906 vortech heads (drilled for traditional 12 bolt intake manifold $230) and a free Holley 750 carb. How does this combo sound?

 

dont use a used cam, the carb is waaaaaay too big. cams is pretty small too

 

the other cams I was looking at was: SUM-K00172 12-314-4 and ZZ4 I figured the carb was to big. Was hoping to make it work being free but Im guessing itll be a nightmare to tune. I may use my stock carb.

 

Is your stock carb a CCC Qjet? If so use that it's a better choice IMO. Also if you have the L69 ECM you would be good to keep it. The only thing you should have to change is the knock sensor to a 350 sensor.

Spend the money and get a good cam it will pay for its self the first few times you fill up at the gas station and preform much better. Those old grinds should be left alone with the old carbs. Don't go backwards in technology here it's a far to common mistake (same with the CCC).

The L98 is a roller block isn't it? Search for "LT4 Hotcam" on Ebay I see them a lot on there for $100 or so.

 

Sounds like a good plan to me. I think you can easily make the 750 work (although a 650 is plenty). You can't beat free! I would look at the Lunati vodoo cams. 220ish duration at .050" is good...but you can use more lift (.480" or so). Work it so the compression is close to 10:1. Probably need a shim style head gasket and a light cut on the heads. I don't think the 1986 are roller blocks...didn't that start in 1987?

The stock carb and computer is another viable route.

 

Using a "standard" intake manifold on Vortec heads is just wrong-headed.

A 750 isn't too big. Probably bigger than necessary, but certainly not "waaaaaaay" too big.