I have read a lot from 305 to 350, lt1 and whatever searches, but now I'd like to know what you think:

what I've got:

350 bare block out of a 92 g20
LT1 cam out of a 95 LT1 caprice
new valve springs
weiand 7525 intake manifold
overhauled lifters
new timing chain
hooker headers
carsound high flow cat
hooker muffler
newer cooler
180 thermostat
air dam
oil cooler
complete engine gasket kit

what I (think I) need:

new pistons and rings
350 knock sensor
350 esc module
350 injectors
custom chip
afpr (make myself)

my other mods:

see my sig

I will stay at the grumpy stock heads, because I don't have any more money

so, what do you think? did I forget anything?
will I need just a new chip or should I also change the ecm? what kind of do I need?

what do you think will be the output/times on the quarter? car is really light weight, no a/c, no power windows, mirrors etc. only t-top and some 17" wheels (10lbs lighter than the heavy 15" cragars with big tires each rim) pics will come soon.

I think that could be a good thread for every 305 to 350 or LT1 starter.
greetings

S!MON

 

Well your list seems pretty good to me. I am glad that you are aware of the junk heads and the chip burning. Chip burning will be the key here. The stock ECM is fine for now but you may want to start learning how to it now. That way you will know what to look for along with what changes to make when your plans go into action. You may want to at least look for a set of 416 or 081 heads from a 305 to toss on there in the meantime. That shouldn't take your budget much higher. Don't forget about gaskets and such.

 

I agree, get some better heads.

 

hey, one guy in our german message board, will sell his 350 heads from his 92 ta in a few months, cooool.

I think, when I will get a good tune, this will be something fast
greetings

S!MON

 

Awesome Simon!-
I have to agree about the heads. Would it be possible to buy some good heads and put off exhaust components for the time being? Maybe it would be easier to install (down the road) new exhaust components than replace the heads when more money beomes available?
Just a thought-
S-D

 

like I wrote above I maybe can get some '92 350 trans am heads. a little work on them and maybe some larger manley valves...

eehhm, will I need a better fuel pump or can the stock one handle it?

and what kind of 350 esc and ecm do I need? just from any 87-up 350 sbc?

another thing: will the lt1 cam (and maybe some 1.6 rockers) still be fine or is there any other easy-to-tune cam which can make more power and bring the 350 to its potential? nothing radical, still good for driving everyday to work.

thx for your advices so long...

S!MON

damn, at the beginning I just wanted a new exhaust system, then I get that lt1 cam cheap and had to buy all the stuff around it and now, now there is laying a 350 in my basement and everything starts again...but when it's done you will see me walking around like that:

I now have 2 jobs, so maybe I can ship these parts to germany (most of them are laying at my aunts house in the us ;() an get that thing started.

 

A 350 esc isn't necessary. In fact, the best esc modules seem to be that of the old ccc 305's which have a more complex filter. The knock sensor should be that of a 350 though.
The Lt1 cam is definatly mild but it's better than stock by a good 20-30hp and requires very little tuning to get running well. The bigger the cam the more work will be requied to make it run right.
With "good" heads I'd go with a flat tappet cam kit with around 210/216 @.05 and lift over .450" and a 112ls at least. The only reason I say go with a flat tappet is because of the mild engine. Only aftermarket heads with good ramp rates really take any advantage of the roller design. Most stock rollers like the Lt1 is too tame to tell the difference. Maybe 5hp just from friction!
The more cubes the larger the cam, that's a general rule that only really applies to pushrod 2 valves per cyl motors. So with the 350, lt1 cam, you're only looking at maybe 260hp, on a 305, it's like 240-250 (with decent heads), and 220-230 with swirl port junk.
I don't know how much tuning you want to do and if you want to invest in larger injectors is another factor that needs considering.
As for the fuel pump, stock is junk. They dead head with any increase of fuel pressure. I wouldn't trust a stock pump with 260hp if I had to raise the fuel pressure because of small injectors. If you had large BBC injectors you might get away with it since you can runn lower fuel pressure. The lower pressure doesn't put as much of a strain on the pump and it'll flow more fuel.
Walbro pumps are always a good idea and for $90 they're a good deal. I've also heard of people using the 96-98 vortec 350 truck pumps that they've picked up for less than $80 at a parts store. Those pumps were designed for higher fuel pressure so they can support more horsepower at TBI fuel pressures.

 

In addtion to what JP said you may want to stick with the LT1 cam if you are leaving your heads untouched. The specs on the cam (especially with 1.6 RR's) put you close to the limits of the heads. You should have the seats machined to go over .480" lift.

 

@JP: thanks, that helps alot.

@shifty: do you mean the stock heads, or the 350 heads? caus it's pretty sure that I will get the 350's

greetings

S!MON

 

Doesn't matter. Virtually all stock GM castings are limited in this way. So even the really good GM heads (416, 081, L98, vortec) still have these limits. It is always good to have a shop check out any used set of head to make sure there are no cracks and such. It becomes a good idea then to have them do some seat work and possible install larger valves and or better valve trian components.