Getting real close to buying parts, got cash in hand and all but cant decide on the best option...

First, let me get this out of the way, my car is a raging peice of **** and i dont want to dump lots of cash into it. With that out of the way i think we can move on...

I was previously looking at getting a set of vortecs but i hate the thaught of having to buy a new intake in addition to the heads. Of coarse, lets not forget to mention that the added flow at teh intake will be counteracted by the poor flowing tbi. I still have the stock one and i intend to keep it unless i can score a real good deal on a used 454 tbi. Even with the 454 tbi, though, id still have less then steller flow.

My other option i was thinking of is getting a set of S/R Torquer 305 heads that are bare (yes, 305 heads) and transfering the almost new valve components, which are pretty much the same stuff that the vortec heads have, over to the torquers and for around 600 dollars total id have a semi-decent set of heads on my engine. It sounds crazy but my gut feeling is that, with all else equal, theyd probably give the same performance given the fact that the tbi will be the dominating restriction in the setup. The only thing i really dont like is running with around 9.8:1 compression. That could cause some problems with the diluted, overpriced garbage they dish out at the pumps these days. I think i might be able to get it down to a more reasonable 9.5:1 cr with a thicker gasket.

Does this sound at all reasonable?! Even if i bought junk yard vortecs, throwing in a decent new vortec intake id still end up paying just as much and have to deal with any problems the junkyard heads have.

 

The 305 Torquers will not change your compression. The stock head and the Torquer has a 58cc combustion chamber. Thats why they call it a 305tqr.

Steve

Opps, just saw that you have a 350 not a 305. If thats the case then you don't want the 305tqr heads you need the regular torquer heads for a 350. Same head just bigger valves and combustion chamber.

 

I think he's talking about putting the 305 torquers on a 350. Why not just go with the standard Torquers and not the 305 ones?

 

for us poor as hell folks the extra 300 dollars really means alot. I want to do this as cheaply as possible. To put it this way, i dont even have enough money to be broke . If i can manage to scrounge up the extra 300, then yeah, ill spring for the standard fully assembled torquers. Im not saying im definatly going to consider this, just an idea. I might still jsut go with junk yard heads but the older heads will probably need some R & R which adds more cost, specially if theyre warped or damaged.

 

It's not a good idea to use a thicker head gasket to lose a little compression. Why not buy a set of Aerohead heads? There rebuilt but for the price and new parts they come with (the spriings are good for .525" lift), look like a good deal for a near stock engine. Their add in ChevyHiPerformance say the'll do a bowl port job for an additional $100.00. Look for one of their adds in any good car mag.

Steve

 

id definatly agree that the small cc size killes the whole idea alltogether. Hmmmm, aerohead heads... ill check it out.