Hey everyone, I've been doing alot of research and reading on this project, but now i have a few questions that I need clarification on. This will be my first engine build out of high school (took automotive classes for 4 years) I have a 91 RS 305 TBI 5 speed. Originally i was going to build the 305, but i scraped that idea for a 350, better decision i think. I am on a tight budget so work with me here. I am picking up a 350 complete minus the cam, bored 20 over and the crank ground down 20 for $300. It came out of a 86 Blazer i beleive, so it is the pre-87 heads unfortunatly and a non-roller block. So i would like to bolt a TPI setup onto this block (speed density for the 90-92). Now would i be able to purchase aftermarket heads and bolt them onto the 350 block, along with a performer TPI intake manifold? I am trying to avoid any elongating of holes, i basically want exact fits. The center bolt heads, is this just a different bolt pattern for intake to heads/valve covers to head or is it a different pattern for the head bolts to the block? As for the ECM, would i just need to get a 91 camaro 350 ECM for the TPI to make this work. I realize there are other parts needed, knock sensor, injectors, wiring, senors and etc. Second thing, i have been reading that the pre 87 blocks are non-roller. I definetly would like to put an aftermarket roller cam and lifter setup in the 350. Particulary a COMP. I am looking into around a 454/454 lift i believe it is. How can i go about this since the block was not exactly made for roller cams. Any help on this project would be greatly appreciated. Also looking for recommendations on heads, cams, intakes, headers etc. I hope i havent sounded like a total idiot here and have some idea what im talking about lol. Correct me if i am wrong on anything i have read or posted. Thanks lol

 

"Budget", "non-roller block", and "roller lifters" do not belong in the same sentence. Retrofit rollers are very expensive, and are intended for racing applications. You'd probably need a custom grind to have any hope of a retrofit roller cam playing well with TPI. There's nothing particularly wrong with '86-earlier blocks, and there aren't huge gains to be had by going to roller lifters. So, just stick with a TPI-friendly flat-tappet grind.

There aren't very many '87-later bolt pattern aftermarket heads out there. World makes them, the bad news is they only offer them with 76cc chambers. It makes more sense to find a set of 083 casting heads and work them over. For the record, '87-later bolt pattern refers to the angle of the center two intake mount bolts (72 degrees). Center bolt covers also just happened to be introduced in 1987, but other heads also have them. Another option with aftermarket heads is to get the TPI base for the Vette - has the normal 90 degree bolt angle for all mount bolts.

Another option would be to get Vortec heads and a Vortec-specific base. This kit Upgraded Vortec Head Kit, Roller, TPI Intake, Headers :: SD8060RATPI - SDPC has all you need - heads, base, gaskets, bolts, rockers (ignore their photo of the intake manifold - it's a TPI base, not a carb intake). Whether it is a "budget" approach is open to argument, but with what you're talking about doing, it's about as good as you can get for the money spent.