Gathering parts and info for a 350 TBI that I am going to be swapping into an 89 s10 blazer 4x4. I'm not going for an all out high power performance engine, just a gutsy reliable daily driver with decent mileage (at least 15mpg would be nice!). Gears are 3.42, 700r4 and I would get a new TC based on the cam I guess. So far I have an edelbrock rpm intake, and a set of rpm aluminum heads (60889). I know for sure that I want to go roller cam in this. Unfortunately my block (89) isn't roller cam ready so I will have to go with a retrofit cam. Also plan on sticking with 1.5 roller rockers. Thought about keeping the package together and going with the 2201 or 2204 cam. I'm not too sure if this is too much, or what I should be looking for.

 

The 89 block should be able to exept a factory roller cam, you'll have to tap some holes & get the cam retainer, spider,ect.

 

Whoa nelly. That's definitely too much cam for a DD setup, or any streetable car in general. You want a lower duration cam for making power at the bottom end so if you can find any trucks or vans equipped with an LT1 you can pull a cam pretty well suited to your needs.

If you're not too attached and locked into those heads you could consider returning them?? The 193 casting L05 heads are ideal for a daily driver application and make huge amounts of power up to about 4500 RPM- a good port and polish would cost you a good few hundred less than those heads did too. The intake manifold you have bis good though, stick with the Performer RPM.
You'll also want to get EBL Flash to tune everything ( www.dynamicefi.com )- this is way better than buying a mail-order chip and will certainly help get the MPG's you want.

 

Based on what I have read the block doesn't seem to be roller ready, but I will look into again. I figured that cam was too much, but wanted to make sure. The heads are bought and paid for, so they stay :S I got a bit of a break on them as I had no intention of using the stock heads. Finding used heads around here isn't really a viable option. That's why I went new, but couldn't justify the added $800+ for AFR's. I still need to look into the computer upgrade more, but it looks like the EBL flash is user friendly with good reviews.

 

i agree with the LT1 cam,Or you decide to keep the flat tappet the MTC-1 is a good cam.But with the LT1 cam and 1:6 rrs and good valve springs should pull pretty hard.

 

TBI engines never came with flat tappet cams.

And here's an LT1 cam. Great for a DD application. It'll work great on your heads with 1.6 rockers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LT1-stock-hy...#ht_500wt_1287

 

in trucks hydraulic flat tappet cam.if you knew what the mtc-1 is you would have known what i meant.

 

Oh ok, my bad. The difference between camshaft designs has always been something I'm a bit foggy on.

 

Been reading quite a few people are happy with the Comp XR276. Most are using vortec heads, but the ones I have should be in the ballpark.