The typical subject:

305 - 350

Ive currently got a 305TBI 5spd. I want to swap in a 350 and parts all for under $3k. Ive done searches and checked options but I would like to see someones Idea of the perfect engine package or perhaps all of are ideas into one! Remember $3k is our goal....maybe $3.5 if we have to.

Im not looking for 9,759 horsepower
just a decent 350 that will be fun and a daily driver..

 

Seems reasonably possible....

What induction? Do we need to include headers and other similar needed but not strictly motor parts? What about emissions requirements?

 

Well I have a 350 in my car that may not be the fastest but total cost of the project was under 1500. I bought an L98 long block from a local shop for around 1000, and spent probably 500 on new injectors chips, and various other things like motor mounts (not necessary) but all in all I have a decent running car for pretty cheap.

 

Ok, Ok

Lets see

Emissions is really not a worry because right now I live on base
and in the near future I will be moving to the good old boonies of Illinois where they cant spell Emiszzinoons. (thats my home so Im not making fun of anyone!)

Headers are ok but not necessary. Im more worried about doing everything inside the engine whereas I wont have to being pulling it out. (cam, pistons,) internal stuff

headers I could do later I think.

I was told the caprice 350s are a great deal but I dont know any thing about the specs. I found a place that has em' but it just tell the price. Anywhoo. Most of you guys are the experts so the best way to learn is to ask, listen, learn, and work together! :lala:

 

Ok, I was thinking

Should I switch to carbed? Is it logical? Would it be better than my TBI unit with 210k miles on it? How hard of a switch would that be?

 

Headers are necessary. The exhaust on those cars is one of the worst thing about them. You stand basically zero chance of getting any meaningful power out of any motor you put in there, with that drinking-straw-size stuff choking it.

Get a set of application specific headers for some other car, such as a TPI 350. DO NOT get anything that will bolt directly up to your L03 exhaust, because it will preserve the bottleneck, namely the tiny little Y-pipe.

Without that, all else is futile.

 

My build was pretty reasonable. All labor but machine work was done by yours truly.

Junk Yard 350 $100.00
Machine work $400.00
New Scat Crank $165.00
Rebuild kit $205.00
Vortech Heads $650.00
Perf RPM Intake $180.00
Holley 600 Carb $200.00

Total $ 1900.00

The scat Crank and engine kit were purchased from Northern Auto Parts. The engine kit included all bearings, Flat top fed mogul pistons, a Crane Blazer Cam (PN 4004, same as perf RPM Cam), lifters, Cloyes timing Chain, Oil pump, and gasket set.

I bought the Vortech heads plain and purchased teh LT4 spring and retainer kit from Pace Automotive. The springs require no machine work and are good to .525 lift.

I also used GM factory metal shim head gaskets to keep compression up. I also modifieed teh oil pump with a high pressure spring.

I was able to reuse the rocker arms from the original block along with the connecting rods, balancer, flexplate, and distributor.....

The car turns a 13.28 at 105 in street tires and exhaust (it does have headers), and passes Massachsetts emissions....

I actuallyhave teh part numbers for all of this if you want /need it.

 

littlebagz....you pass emissions? Impressive!

I actually was planning on just buying a 350 and building from their. I dont want the hassles of going to a junkyard for a block. I know, I know, Im lazy.

What do you guys think about these 3 engines? Which one should I go with?

http://www.chevy-350-engines.com/chevy-engine-250.html

http://www.chevy-350-engines.com/chevy-engine-245.html

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...d=128&pid=105#

I heard the caprice engines have the same pistons as the LT1.

Should I swap out the cam?

I know Im forgetting lots and lots

RB83L69 - What kind of headers do you suggest then? You mean they actually sell headers that dont serve their purpose?!!!!

 

.

 

I guess you could say that....

They sell headers that bolt up to the OE cat inlet, which is the same size as the Y-pipe, which is the thing that's the restriction. The only way to bolt it up to the little cat inlet is for the Y-pipe to be the same small size as the cat. So, if you buy headers that fit your restrictive OE exhaust, then they fit right on and hook right up to everything else, but preserve the bottleneck.

You have to spend a bit more money and do a bit more work to eliminate that, by putting a larger cat and I-pipe behind the cat, to eliminate the constipation. IMHO it's not worth going to the expense and effort of putting headers on at all if you're going to leave the restriction on behind them.

Edelbrock TES is OK; or SLP, is probably the best, but they're $$$. I have some of each, and although the Edelbrocks are a decent product, the SLPs are defintely better made.

 

Hey slow stang lokk at sallee chevrolet they are not far from you they are in Milton Freewater Oregon. 10 minutes from me. They have a new crate 350 for 1575. I dont know the specs but they are worth the try since you could pick it up yourself while your at it you can get what ever else you need they have a lot of stuff there. I am like a kid in a candy store when I go there.

 

Radiate--

You could always pick it up for me:sillylol: j/k

I will have to check it out. I really thought a lot more people would have been into this reply. Its kinda fun in my mind. Its all good though.

Maybe I should just rebuild my 305!! (bet that gets a reply)