Hey guys and gals,

Pretty new to this site and to the third gen world. I have found a lot of great info on here, and now feel that it is time for me to take a dive to the deep end of the pool. Now I am going to say right up front that I have never done anything close to this. I just got into cars in the last two years, but I love tearing things down and fixing them. I learn quick, but dnt know all the lingo, so be patient with me.

I am looking to change out my 89 305 TPI set up with a 350 and have some upgrade questions.

I picked up a 350 block casting #14093638, roller block, that has been bored .30 over and the crank is .10 under ($60.00). No heads, cam, or lifters in it (short block). Guy I got it from pulled it from his 76 Camaro he was restoring. Said he believes the motor has less than 60k on it. Here is some info I found on the pistons. Looks like they come from Flatlander Racing, and they are TRW pistons.

Specs:

Part #H631P-30
CID 355
Comp Ratio

58cc-10.41
60.5cc-10.11
64cc-9.73 -With the 906 heads this is where I should be.
68cc-9.33
72cc-8.97
76cc-8.63
Comp. Dist-1.560
Piston Shape-F/T
Price/Each-$28.00

I wanted to build it up a bit but not sure where to go. I dont want a speed demon, just want to spin the tires, and maybe beat a couple of college kids off the red light.
Maybe 300-350 hp? I have a budget of 1k-1500.

Picked up a set of 906 vortecs that are in really good shape. Planning on porting them to them to the best of MY abilities. Think of doing 1.5 roller rockers with them.

Looks like from what I am seeing the heads stock should take up to a .450 lift, so I am thinking about going with the Edelbrock 2103 cam. Duration 288/288, Lift .442/.442.

Now my current car has a 305 TPI in it, and I have purchased a complete 350 TBI, with wiring, harness, and ECM for 250.00. Im trying to decide if I want to get a better intake and use an adaptor plate for the TBI, trying to use the current TPI, or just carbing it.

A vortec intake for the TPI is crazy expensive, but I feel like I would get more performance from it. On the other hand the TBI setup looks like it can be just as good with the right combo.

Right now the car is pretty stock, except some cosmetic changes. It does have a posie, but Im pretty sure it has 2.73 gears. I am planning on changing them out, and adding better lower control arms, panhard bar, and frame supports to stiffn up the underbody.

Car has a stock 700r4 as well. Seems like the previous owner may have installed a stall converter, but not sure until I pull the 305.

Am I in over my head here? Please guide me old wise ones! LOL

 

As far as the induction. You need to decide which you like best and go from there. IMO.

 

I think for cost right now I am going to use the TBI set up. Wondering if I need to go with bigger injectors?

 

most likely and custom tuning which is all more $$$

 

So here is my parts list so far:

The block and pistons listed above
906 stock heads-that I am going to port alond with the intake
Edelbroc 2103 Duration 288/288, Lift .442/.442 Flat Hydro
Comp Cam 2100 Double Roller Timing chain
Headman Hedders 68460
Summit Racing intake and carb kit-Dual Plane 0-6000 Idle range Intake Manifold, 600 CFM Carburetor with electric choke, Air Cleaner, Fuel Line, Gaskets, Bolts

What do you think? Worth it? Am I going to reach that 300-350 hp range?

 

I would go with a decent roller cam. It would be a pointless downgrade to use a flat tapped cam in a roller block.

 

i would switch it out for a roller cam. its much much better. theres no muckin about with setting valves every damned month

 

I would love to go with a roller, but they are kind of a budget killer. For the same cam it is 349.00, not including the roller lifters. And thats for the same duration.

 

I also wouldnt run an edelbrock cam. I'd also stay roller. I switched, am regretting it.

You dont have to adjust valves on a flat tappet camshaft every month either tho.