Okay, my Trans Am is currently the LG4, but thats for now. Here are my planned modifications:

1971 350. New crank, 100,000 miles, but motor uses no oil and looks solid from last time we took it apart. Has like 50 miles since taken apart. This motor is out of a blazer, but it was the same motor used in the Corvette that year. It was a 350/300 gross horse motor. My father says the heads are one step below the Z28 heads. Motor probably runs around 9.5:1 compression.

Comp cams xtreme energy camshaft. 224/230 @.050, .477/.480 lift. I want a nasty sounding cam with maximum horsepower.

Stock qjet carb, modified with springs and tab filed to allow more air flow.

Team G street ram series manifold or other ones with EGR. Problem is this seems to be the only one that would pull to 6 grand with EGR. Any recommendations?

Hooker cat-Back system.

Edelbrock Tubular exhaust system headers.

B&M shift kit.

Car has 700R4 in it, 3.23 posi in the back with stock torque converter. I need the stock torque converter. Car would have 235/60/R14's on it when first completed, hopefully moving to 265/45/R14's later. Hopefully adding 3.73's later on. Stock cat.

WIll the car be fast? I'm just hoping i dont end up dumping this kinda money in to have a car that will only run low 15's high 14's. Im hoping to run mid 13's with the car. Do I have the power to do it? I know I dont have the rubber. Will the motor pull to 5800 or 6000 no problem, or will I fall off. I just dont want to have the car run out of breath when the cam finally rears its power curve.
Do you think Ill have 300 net horsepower with this? Is everything matched up well? Thanks in advance.

 

My engine revs to 6000 (even had it to 6300 once - didn't intent to) with my EGR manifold.

TES? I've never used them, but from what people have said about them, I'd think another choice would be better.

That cam and a stock torque converter spells very sluggish off the line. Kiss 13's goodbye. Mine is a rebuilt/restalled unit by a local wholesale outfit - love it. ProBuilt would recommend a smaller converter for the sake of the transmission.

I don't know what you call a "nasty sounding cam", but HP means more to me than sound. Mine is very kind to the computer, but leaves the "nasty" to WOT. You might want to consider it (listed under Crane computer-compatible flat-tappet cams in the Summit catalog, the most lift/duration available - $134). Or, is your car a non-CC Canadian versioin?

If the engine truly is a 300 horse 350, compression is closer to 10.25:1. I took my first drivers test in a '69 Impala with that engine. Unless changed by someone sometime in the past, the heads are hardly "one step below the Z28 heads". Most any aftermarket replacements will be much better.

I've never heard of 14" tires in those sizes. But, I suppose it's possible.

Overall, you're on the right track. You may want to reconsider some of the details.

 

I agree the motor sounds like you've got a solid plan.
The Truck heads were generally large CC heads. But they may have the 2.02/1.6 valves. If you don't want new heads, a vavle job, some pocket porting, and bowl work would benefit them greatly, and generalyy is under 400 bucks.

As for the TES.. iv'e used them, they worked very well on a mildly modded 305.. but on a fairly strong 350... you'd probalby want something els.e

With that cam your going to want 3.73 gears, and at least a 2200-2400 stall converter. As five7 said. the remaned units work fine.. i myself have used them.. they aren't a killer converter but for a street car they work very well.

The cam.. that's a great cam, but as far as having a CCCqjet on it, it may be a lil much for the comptuter tod eal with. it really needs to see a steady 15" of vacuum.. and that's pushin your luck a little. the XE-262 cam may be a little easier on the computer, and still give you great power.

I'd stay away from the Crane flat tappet Hydraulic camse. they use a soft material for the core and the lobes tend tod disspapear even when broken in properly

 

I was wondering about that cam, and am now starting to look at options that are less radical. I am planning on getting the heads done over, how much does that usually run?

As for a torque converter, I need stock. I tow with the car occasionally, but the boat is light (1200 lbs). I tow it with my camaro no problem, which is a 2.8, and i know the frame and brakes can handle it. You cant use high stall converters to tow so that lmits it.

What would you guys recommend for exhaust up front? Im planning on hooker cat back for the rest.

Can I still run that XE262 efficiently with the stock converter?

 

If you're towing the same thing with this engine as you did with the 2.8, a higher stall converter should be no problem. Use synthetic ATF (guess which brand I'd recommend) and add an aftermarket cooler. A higher stalling converter can make all the difference in the world, and having to plan the rest of the package around a stock TC is first, unnecessary in your case, and second, very limiting.

I wouldn't bother with those old heads. Sure, they can be reworked and improved, but the bang for bucks just isn't there. Get some Worlds and be done with it.

I like the way my exhaust came out, but SLP's are probably better. Dual cats are very nice.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the converter lock up in overdrive? So is the stall speed an issue?

I've had a 2500 stall before and it's no big deal. Just use a good tranny cooler.

 

I am starting to look at the XE262 as a better cam choice. I really dont have the cash for new cylinder heads for a long time. motor is actually a 305/270 horse as they dropped compression in 71. But then again the motor has flat top pistons, which arent on the 8.5:1 motor. It also has 1.94/1.60 heads.

Could you guys explain to me exactly how that torque converter would work. Would it only drive at 2500 rpm or higher? Thats what Im assuming, and it would be very difficult to tow and drive in the rain for that matter with something like that.

I appreciate the help guys.

 

Your perception is wrong. A 2500 stall is not bad. I drove with one for a year in a 68 El Camino. All you need is a good tranny cooler. It appears like you think all your going to do is spin your tires. Not unless you stuff the throttle!