hey. im getting ready to go to college, so im getting ready to build a new engine. I have a 1980 350 out of a pickup. it is just a bare block. now i know that i can use my 305 heads and tpi system that is originally on my IROC on the 350, but does anybody know the best rods, rocker arms ect. for this build? since im going to college i would like to keep the price down around a thousand dollars. Real scary performance is what im looking for. you know, show the civics and ricers whats up!!! Is it possible to get 350 horses out of a combo like this? any help wouold be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you for your time!!

 

It's possible, but you have to be thrifty.

You can put new rod bolts in your stock rods, and resize them, but it's sometimes cheaper to get the entry level new rods from a place like ohio crankshaft. $159, comes with ARP bolts.

Port the snot out of the 305 heads. Even the chambers. Get it to ~64cc. That'll work well with flat top pistons.
Use basic cast or hyper pistons. Flat tops. Block needs to be bored out I assume?

Use any basic roller tip stamped rocker, $100 a set. Or see if you can find a deal on a comp roller tip. I think they have some steel full body ones that go for ~$150. Remember you're not gaining a lot of HP from this part, so if you can get more HP for that $150, spend it elsewhere.

You'll want to port out your intake as well, and find some headers and the rest of your exhaust. I don't know if you already have the headers though.

You'll want a computer compatible flat tappet cam. xe262-14 sorta thing. You should do alright, but I kinda doubt you'll finish it with $1000. Maybe $1500 if you can scrimp well.

 

thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. can i get all of these products from summit or jegs? Do i just use all the remaining parts for a 350 for this build up? Also, does anyone know any sites that could help me out? This one is a life saver, but im an info junkie.

 

This site has EVERYTHING, man. You just have to like crazy and spend hours and hours and hours.

In reality, I think you'd be best with the budget PM (powdered metal) rods from GM like the "pink" rods. They're strong and cheap. Port your heads as stated above and then read A LOT more!

The do it yourself prom section is the best on the net in my opinion. You might do well to invest some cash into a laptop that you can use for college anyway and then a few hundred bucks in chip burning equipment. Then you can run a serious cam and really let the potential of your 350 shine with fuel injection.

That'll show the ricers with their fuel management units a thing or two!!

 

thanks buddy!!! you have any idea how much power i could possibly squeeze out of this combo? also, do you have any idea what program to get to use on that laptop?

 

Yea, get it all from summit. The rods I got from ohio, and I couldn't find a better price anywhere. Not sure about the pink rods.
Jegs is retarded as far as their interface, I avoid them like the plague, until they figure out how to make an interface that's user friendly.

Getting max power out of this will be more expensive with TPI, compared to a carb.