Hi Guys, I'm new to the game but I've always loved working on cars. My old man was a mechanic. He passed away three years ago, and I'm keeping the passion alive. He had a few cars that we used to wrench on, but they had to be sold. So, I've gone and picked myself up a third gen Specifically an 84 z28, a really good car to start with (frames great, interior etc.) So, I put together a 350 from and old truck (0010 block, 4 bolt main) I went with slightly bigger head allowances (.194 intake) and a bigger lumpier cam my buddy was using in his 383. All the goodies to go with as well (comp push rods, new valve springs, and crane roller tip 1.5 rockers, comp double roller timing chain) Up top I have a spread bore edelbrock performer (Still gotta get a carb, the Qjet on my 305 isn't working properly, thinking Edelbrock 600, or 650).For exhuast, I have hedman shorties and y-pipe, followed by 3" Flowmaster cat-back. SO, my question is guys, what am I forgetting? I am getting all new belts, spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor/coil, and a/c delete box. I know i'm forgetting stuff, I always do. Let me hear what you guys think, these boards have helped me a bunch of times

 

Instead of buying an Edelbrock carb, why not have the Quadrajet fixed?

Its not hard to change jets and metering rods in it to get it set up for the 350. Quadrajets are great carbs and I wouldn't ditch it, even if its computer controlled.

You also need to change your ESC for a 350 piece. Search this forum for the ESC part numbers that you will need to make it run right. I have read quite a bit on a few different threads where 5-7 kid made his computer quadrajet run great and kept the ECM and wiring in tact.

Let us know how your progress goes!

 

Sorry to hear about your dad. I bought Berlinetta #1 the week after my dad passed away. He was the catalyst for my car passion, and it took me several years before I stopped thinking I needed to give him a call to tell him what I had done to one of the cars lately.

Unless your car had an L69 originally, a Canadian '84 305 would be a non-computer q-jet. I agree that fixing it would be a better choice than an Edelbrock.

What are the cast #'s on your heads? Most heads that came on 010 blocks were better boat anchors than performance engine parts. 1.94" intake valves were standard on most passenger car heads, so if you had to go "slightly bigger" to get to 1.94", then you probably started with old truck heads that will never be able to keep up with the cam (more details on the cam would be good as well).

Other than that, what else could you be forgetting? Well, these cars weren't built to handle a lot of power, so I'd suggest you install subframe connectors soon. A lumpy cam and a stock torque converter aren't going to like each other, so you should consider either a different cam (which might not be a bad idea anyway, since it probably isn't a good match for your intake manifold), or a higher stall torque converter.

 

Also, maybe your old 305's heads are actually BETTER than your current heads. Because they are both small blocks, you could put your new 1.94 valves in them too.

I've heard plenty of guys on this site say the old LG4 305 heads are great for mild to decent 350 builds.

You should put up the casting numbers for those, too.

 

Thanks very much guys, you have been an enormous help already. I've been pricing out Qjet rebuilds, or kits to do it myself. The 350 0010 was an old truck block, so I imagine you're right about the heads being pretty low. The other set of heads has the 1.94", but I didn't know that came pretty standard on passenger cars. I have also been told that vortech heads work great (given that you swap to a vortech ready intake as well). I will get back here later on with all the casting numbers, and see what other ones I can find (maybe rebuilding other heads would be a good idea?) Also, i'm told the cam came out of a truck, so it'll be good for torque...but does that mean a bigger torque converter too? I'll see what I can find. And finally, you;re right about the canadian qjet, no computers! Just a terrible choke (doesn't work, not sure how to fix it...maybe a new diaphragm or elec-choke unit) Love to hear your thoughts guys.
Ian

 

How radical are you trying to get?

You can, for no money whatsoever, gasket match and port out your 305 intake manifold. Later on you can get a used aluminum intake off of eBay.

I think you will most likely find that your 305 heads are gonna be great for running the RV style cam. Gasket match and lightly port those out and it'll be great.

You shouldn't need a different converter for an RV cam. If you're running a HOT cam that moves the power band up, then you'll need a higher stall converter.

In the end, as far as the Quadrajet goes, there are people you can send it to and have it rebuilt to any power level you want. Jet is one company, but I am sure if you go to the carburetor forum you'll find tons of people who do it.

If you take your time, you will do a great job.

Now, 84 may not have a Computer Controlled Carb, but do you still have ESC? Does your distributor have a vacuum advance or not?

If you don't have it, then your ECM does run the advance, and you need the 350 ESC.

 

Yes, my distributor has a vacuum advance, and the qjet has electric choke. I already have an aluminum intake on the 305 (Weiand 8004) and have an older Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake on the 350. I'm wondering what the benefit would be to using the heads from my 305 with the 1.94" valves over using the heads I currently have on the 350 which have the 1.94" intake valves. Forgive me, I don't have the casting numbers with me, I will post later. I'm looking to have a good street/strip car, I know i'm not going to be winning the streetcar nationals anytime soon, but I'd like to be confident in saying that I have one muscular car. I love doing the work, so time and elbow grease are not an issue. I think the 350 set-up can provide that kind of car. I've double checked, and I think the flexplate on the 350 should match up with my tranny. If I have to get a higher stall converter I will, but I hope the stock one will hold up (anyone know what a stock converter's numbers are?) Any opinions are appreciated. Also considering running a 75 shot of Nitrous, but I haven't looked to far into it, more worried about the motor. Thanks Guys

 

The LG4 heads have very decent flow numbers for the intake ports, and smaller combustion chambers which will put your compression ratio up in a more favorable area. Your factory smogger heads for the 350 will probably be near 8.5 to 1 compression ratio while those LG4 heads will be more like 9.5 to 1.

The ports have a better shape and flow a little better. They clean up better with a dremel by hand and "elbow grease" and can still accommodate the larger valves.

Either set of heads should still get some "beehive" springs at least, and a gasket matching with the dremel. Ditto your intake.

Good luck man!

 

If you decide to keep the QuadraJet it might be worth giving these guys a call, they're supposed to be the QJet experts:

http://wildgooseperformance.com/index.php

They're located in Stoney Creek.