i have two options. I am buying a thirdgen camaro with a 350 tpi that is the for sure part. The part i dont know is how i want to get it to run 12-13s in the 1/4 mile. And still be able to drive it daily. which for me means i need my power at low rpms and no loapy cams. ""is stuff i know i will do either way"
1) ""rebuild and modify the 350 still using the tpi and bore 30 over"".... the other mods like cam, intake heads, and headers and anything else i may need, i need advice on. in the end i want about 400HP at the engine.
2)""use and rebuild 350 block and tpi bored 30 over but buy a 383 rotator kit."" the other mods like cam, intake, heads, and headers and anything else, i need advice on for a 383. in the end i want about 450 to 500 hp at engine.

i don't have a blower or turbo. and again i would like to keep my power band as low as i can and compression no higher than 11. any help on what specs to get for both engines and who makes the parts and about how much it will cost would be very helpful. thank you. btw i am new to engine rebuilds so try to dumb down the explanations for me a little thanks.

 

Well it depends a lot on your budget, but a set of AFRs, a comp 270 hydraulic roller, shorty headers, 4.10 gears, subframe connectors, LCARBs, and drag radials should get you in the 12s with a pump gas 350. I can not tell you much about the computer or injection, there are plenty of TPI guys on here that can point you in the right direction.

 

well i have about 3000 to spend on the engine but i would prefer to spend around 2000. i also wanted to keep the 3.42 gears that where on the car. the tpi i figured i would have to take to a specialists.

 

What year is the car?

For $2000, 350 is the only real choice. Any particular reason for the .030" over? That's only done if the rings, pistons, and/or cylinders have excessive wear. It isn't done for more power.

Want a good running engine?

Heads: http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...ollerCams.aspx (need self-aligning rocker arms, which, if your car is '88-up, will have)

Cam: Comp XFI in the 268 range. You can reuse your roller lifters and pushrods.

Intake: Holley/Weiand Stealth Ram for Vortec heads. You'll need a different TB for it.

Exhaust: Hooker 2055HKR, Magnaflow direct-fit cat for '86-'90 TPI single cat application, your choice of same application cat-back.

Assuming your shortblock doesn't really need to be rebuilt, that is about $3k worth.

 

my friend mentioned some closed chamber aluminum L98 corvette heads that would fit would it be better/cheaper to get those?

 

Probably not. In order to be cheaper, they'd have to be used. You'd have to get new valve springs in all likelihood. Being used, they probably need to be freshened up. By the time you get all that done, they still won't flow or run as well as the Vortecs.

Oh, and SBC heads aren't know by "closed" or "open" chamber. That's BBC-speak.

 

if i get the vortex heads would i need to replace the original tpi and get new runners and TB? Also do the 89-92 camaros 5.7 come with roller rockers or flat tappets? i would think it cheaper to buy a cam kit with flats on it?

 

The Stealth Ram replaces the TPI base, runners, and plenum. They say you need a different TB with it (LT1 or 58mm).

'87-'92 f-bodies had roller lifters. You can put in a flat tappet kit, but you also have to replace the pushrods and timing set, and it's a downgrade. With a roller cam, all you need to replace is the cam itself (timing set is usually replaced as well because the chain does stretch over time). A ZZ4 or LT1 take-out cam can be found for less money than a flat tappet kit would cost you. The Vortec heads I linked would handle either of those cams.

(BTW, it's "Vortec", not Vortex. Vortex is a brand name for a supercharger company.)

 

would it be wise to replace the original roller rockers seeing as how there will be over 100k miles on the engine? And what good, inexpensive TB would you suggest to fit the Weiand Stealth Ram?

 

Roller lifters are fine to reuse. I have no clue how many miles are on mine, as they were in a rebuilt LB9 when they came into my possession. I've put another 20K on them, including racing, they do just fine. Look them over when you pull them out, check for wear on the rollers, looseness, smooth operation of the rollers, etc. There's about a 90% chance they're fine.

The '93 LT1 TB has the TV cable provision. That would be a good choice if looking for used. Otherwise, the TPI forum would probably be a better source of information than I am.

 

i was curious if i would have to get new fuel injecters/fuel lines with the purchase of the Weiand Stealth Ram or will the ones from the old tpi be good enough "volume wise" to be reused? also just because i may not upgrade the tpi right away.. can the origonal TPI be used with the Vortec heads you suggested?

 

Only if you get a Vortec-specific base, which costs about as much as the Stealth Ram.