I recently aquired a 350 from a 79 camaro. I plan on building up this block, but I have a few questions. I was planning on getting World Products S/R torquer heads(64cc chambers), and either a comp cams XE 262 or XE 268 cam. I also plan on using my current TPI setup on this motor. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of power this would make? I read in an old magazine that this setup with a carb would make about 400 hp, but I was wondering if this is about right for TPI. Also, any problems with this setup?
Thanks, Dan.

 

ttt

 

Any of those 400 ponies that come after 5000 RPMs with the carb would be lost with the TPI. Unless you spend the bucks to raise the TPI's RPM band. So, those cams may be too much for you. The computer may also not be happy with a wild cam, so make sure you pick one that'll keep the computer smiling (to paraphrase, "If the ECM ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...").

Otherwise, you need to make sure you get the heads in the '87-later style so your intake base will bolt up. Also, the older block will have a two-piece rear main seal, so you need a flexplate for an '82-'85 3rd gen.

You didn't say what you plan to do for exhaust, but headers will be quite helpful.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess I should clairfy what I want to do. I want to build this motor for torque, and not horsepower, but if I were shooting for around 400 hp, then I would have gobs of torque too. I dont have a problem if there isnt much power after 5000-5500 rpms, cause its gonna be purely for the street anyway, but I would like to see mid 12-low 13 second quarter mile times. I do plan on porting the base and the plenum, and probably get new runners and possibly a 52mm throttle body too. I realize the issues about the intake base and the flexplate. I can always just redrill the holes in the intake if it doesnt fit, and I already have a flexplate that will work. Also I do plan on using headers, but after the engine build up, I'm sure that i'll be out of money, so i will go with cheap ones for now. I guess i kinda answered my own questions a little, but any more help would be appreciated.