so i just finished getting my car back together and running. with the 305 vortec heads, edelbrock performer rpm vortec intake '95 lt1 cam and 350 injectors. i couldnt get it to run properly the first couple of tries and then i realized i had to set the valve lash. so now it's running fairly well on the stock tune, except for the fact that it will backfire with part throttle but not full throttle. i'm going to check the plug gaps and make sure they're right . i really need to get headers and a full 3" exhaust on there and then burn a chip to complete the package but i'm pretty satisfied with how things are going right now!

 

Congrats on getting it up and running. Looks really good.

I'm curious about the heads, though. Why did you decide on 305 Vortec heads, vs. regular Vortecs?

 

if i had used vortec heads off of anything bigger than a 305 like a 350 my compression ratio would have dropped since my engine is just an lo3, and i found these heads on ebay for $200.

 

I have 059 casting 305 vortec heads on my 305 in my 1991 G20 Van. Runs great.

 

That's interesting. Every time I've seen those heads discussed on here, the consensus has been that they don't fow nearly as well as the 350 Vortec heads. I'm really curious to see what he ends up getting out of these when he gets the car sorted out.

 

compared to the tbi heads i had on there the vortecs flow a lot better. and it sounds pretty decent through the stock manifolds and my modified stock exhaust which is cut off after the rear axle and has a glasspack in the Intermediate pipe. i can't wait to see what it sounds like through a set of headers and a 3" catback though. i'll have to check my heads and see what castings i got today.

 

Well, I wish you the best of luck. There's nothing cooler than a black '89 Formula.

 

i've got the 520 castings, i've got it all set and running pretty well now but now it's making an odd noise and smoking, i'm afraid it might be a cam bearing, but i'm not experienced enough to be able to tell.