I just came across a 77 El camino SS with a 350 in it. so the question is. if i use the 350 block with a different set of heads and a tpi or ram jet fuel injection system will it be all worth it? If so what set-up for the heads should i use? any info would be appreciated

 

i plan to use this setup on my 91 firebird which currently posseses a 305 tbi

 

Sure; it'll be "worth it" to me if you do that.

But seriously....

The "SS" package in 77 was nothing but stickers. The motor is the same L48 that would have been in an Impala, or a Camaro, or a Malibu, or anything else. It's about a 8.2:1 350, with a cast crank (most likely the 442 casting), 882 or 624 casting heads (if they're still original), a 929 cam, and DEEP dish pistons. A very poor foundation for building on top of, without a total make-over. LOTS of stuff to take off and out, and throw in the trash.

OTOH, the BLOCK is a 350 block, same as any other 350 block. Probably a 010 casting, maybe 014. Just as good as any other 350 block as far as that goes. Once you get rid of all the 70s smogger junk, it's just as good, or not, as any other 70s 350 block. I'd be more worried about if it has any of the typical 70s QC issues, that those blocks are so full of; starter bolt holes drilled in the wrong place, lifter bores that don't point at the cam, decks that aren't square, cylinders that aren't perpendicular to the crank centerline, bell housing flange that isn't centered on the crank centerline, head dowel pins that locate the heads improperly over the cyls, severe casting shift so that there's thin or even porous places in the water jackets or cylinder walls, etc. etc. etc. If those types of things are OK, or at least if you check them so you can fix the ones that can be fixed (deck the block, use offset dowel pins, etc.), then it'll be fine. I'd pay ALOT more attention to that kind of stuff, than to which wrinkles were on the sheet metal it used to be wrapped in, or what "dress-up" appearance sticker package that vehicle was equipped with.

I would recommend STRONGLY against either TPI or the Ram-Jet. A better plan would be a Holley Stealth Ram. Decent enough intake, better than either of those other systems, good bang for the $$$. Build the short block with flat-top pistons with as little deck clearance as possible (SRP, JE, Probe, etc.; NOT TRW/SpeedPro, or hypereutectics or cast from ANYBODY), have the block zero-decked to them to eliminate whatever deck clearance remains, and use 64cc aftermarket heads from the vendor of your choice. I'd avoid the cheaper Chinese ones, and stick with the US castings; Dart, TF, AFR, Edelbrock, or Holley, for example.

 

thanks for the reply...all i needed to know was if the internals were good enough but i guess not. and ill take that edelbrock manifold into consideration. once again thanks for the reply

 

Which one?