i am about to start working on an 86 trans am with a 350 already swaped in. The engine needs to be pulled and rebuilt. any advice, tips, or products that can be used to build it up with wld be much appreciated. also I am working off a college student budget. I have the money to spend where needed but wld like to save where i can. Thanks

 

carbureted or injected?
Either way, the place to put the money is the heads. The best idea is usually the Vortec heads, plan on those.

 

thanx. and its carburated.

 

I agree with Atilla, Ive got iron vortec heads on my stroker and they just kick ***.

 

thanx. i have a good idea of sum things we're gonna do but just needed an idea of types and brands of good mods

 

First is a 3" cat-back exhaust. So many good choices, pick whatever you like, then ask us just to be sure, because a few have restrictive mufflers. There's a sub-forum here in TGO just for exhaust, start there.
Second is headers with matching Y-pipe. The Hedmans are popular for their low price, but the matching Y-pipe is too restrictive. Edelbrocks are California legal, but also suck. the best choices are either Hooker's 2055, or the Mac Performance 8692, which is virtually identical in results to the hooker, but stainless steel so it'll last forever.
Mac does a matching cat-back that flows excellent.
From there, we need to know your trans and your axle ratio to help suggest a camshaft. If you're willing to change the axle ratio, you can have a more serious cam, and more power.
Intake manifold depends on your hood and your cam.
cam will also determine flat top or dished pistons.

 

a friend and i are now in the proccess of removing the engine and once we hae everything squared away with that i will get all the info put up here for a better idea of wat i need