Hello guys, new here but not to Camaros, I have a 1988 Camaro RS, it has a 305 TBI, with a 5 speed. I've always wanted to rebuild a 350 for it since I had it in high school but never really had the money, well I sold my 99 Z-28 and now planning on finally building that 350
I have done some research and talked to a few friends and they shared diff ideas with me
I have a 350 engine from pan to intake that I bought and plan on rebuilding, i was thinking of going with vortec heads of a 96-99 350, mild cam, edelbrock intake, carb, and headers. What should I do to the heads? Port/polish? What size cam and header would you recommend? I was hoping to be in the 325-375hp range
After talking to a friend he recommended going with 305 heads a small cam, he said it would be cheaper and produce same amount of hp,
Which option should I go with? Thanks a lot for your help
Beto

 

Vortec heads will get you up to the hp your looking for, A port and polish, and go with the biggest cam you can fit on them springs, a nice duration. And of course a full exhaust, intake, decent carb. I would choose vortec over 305 heads any day. Although i run 305 heads on my car.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Vortec heads have a couple of weaknesses:
- Poor valve springs
- Limited valve lift capability
- Large valve guide OD which limits valve spring upgrade choices

You can fix those issued by addressing the last two - in one operation: Cut the tops of the valve guides for positive-type valve stem seals, which will improve valve travel and allow dual valve springs.

Or, you can handle it all with one fell swoop by doing this:
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...ter/sd8060raag

You'll get what you need to install upgraded Vortec heads, for a price that you won't touch doing it piecemeal.

As for porting and polishing - leave the intakes alone. You can install 1.60" exhaust valves, clean up the exhaust ports a little; but unless you've worked with Vortec heads extensively, doing anything to the intakes will probably hurt power. And, as already stated, for your power levels, you don't need to do anything to the heads (especially if you get that kit).

 

Thanks guys for the help, I did some research and came up with this ...

·Power CSMHP756-600 - Federal Mogul Premium Engine Rebuild Kits
Part Number: FEM-CSMHP756-600 $299.95
·Hedman Hedders 68460 - Hedman Street Hedders
Part Number: HED-68460 $179.95
·Lunati 06109LK - Lunati Bracket Master II Cam and Lifter Kits
Summit Racing Part Number LUN-06109LK
Cam Style Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range 1,500-6,000
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift 216
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift 228
Duration at 050 inch Lift 216 int./228 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration 272
Advertised Exhaust Duration 284
Advertised Duration 272 int./284 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio 0.454 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio 0.480 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio 0.454 int./0.480 exh.
Lobe Separation (degrees) 112
Computer-Controlled Compatible No
Lifters Included Yes
Lifter Style Hydraulic flat tappet
Valve Springs Included No
Retainers Included No
Locks Included No
Valve Stem Seals Included No
Timing Chain and Gears Included No
Assembly Lubricant Included Yes
Pushrods Included No
Rocker Arms Included No
Gaskets Included No
Valve Springs Required Yes
Quantity Sold as a kit. $199.95
·Summit Racing SUM-226019 - Summit Racing Street & Strip® Stage 3 Intake Manifolds
Part Number: SUM-226019 $179.95
·Summit Racing SUM-M08600VS - Summit Racing Street & Strip® Carburetors $234.95
I plan on getting some vortec heads from the junkyard, will I have to do anything special to them?
Will a built like this get me in the 325-375 hp range?
Also, will all the accessories from my 88 305 fit the 86 block?
thanks

 

I have some 305 heads you could buy super cheap, just sayin

 

thanks but im gona go with the vortec heads, i've done some reading and looks like they are the best bet

 

While those headers are relatively cheap, getting an exhaust system hooked up to them that flows decently won't be. I prefer the Hooker 2055HKR, which include the best off-the-shelf Y-pipe available. You can install cat & cat-back for '86-'90 TPI single cat application from there yourself (no exhaust shop labor required). The Y-pipe that is available for the Hedman hedders is horrible, and getting an exhaust shop to fix it will cost more in the end than just getting the Hookers.

Look, I know you think you'll save money that way, but trust me, the kit I linked is the least expensive way possible to get where you want to go.

Junk yard heads will require rebuilding (read: labor), cutting of the tops of the valve guides to accommodate better springs (more labor), new valve springs and retainers, valve stem seals (more money), and probably resurfacing (more labor) - and all this is assuming they aren't cracked. Then you need to get the rockers, gaskets, intake manifold, and bolts - all of which are included in the sdparts kit.

Yes. If you listen to me about exhaust.

It's the heads, not the block, that typically affect the fitment of the serpentine accessory system, and that's not a problem with Vortec heads. So, yes, they will fit.

Oh, you should also get new push rods. If you have the ones that came with the 350, you might be able to use them, but you can't use the ones from the '88 305. And, it's just a good idea to use new push rods with new lifters and rockers.

 

Five7kid I really appreciate the help, thanks a bunch
I guess I’m going to work over time for those prices, but no one said it would be cheap
If I get that head kit, then I guess I can go with a larger cam?
As for right now I’m going to take out the 305, get the bay ready, get the 350 to the machine shop and buy the rebuild kit ... build the bottom end and save for the head kit
I also bought a rear diff, since mine is a drum I wanted to upgrade to a disk possi rear end, in this swap am I going to run into any problems? The rear end is from the same 86 Camaro I got the engine from

 

Up to .575" lift at the valve.