how to build a mild street 350
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From: delaware
Car: 1985 camaro z28
Engine: v8 lg4
Transmission: 5 speed
how to build a mild street 350
right know i have a 1985 camaro z28 with the lg4 305 with 120,000 miles that has a rebuilt transmission with a stage 2 center force clutche and a rebuilt stock rear end with 3.73 gears. i know that everyone says the it would cost to much money to rebuild & to make the 305 fast, so now i want to build a 350 that makes 300+ horses for know but that i can soup up more down the road if i want to but i dont know where to start i am hoping to have it in by middle to end of the winter at the latest. all help would be useful
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From: delaware
Car: 1985 camaro z28
Engine: v8 lg4
Transmission: 5 speed
Originally posted by daverr
id say buy a zz4 350.
id say buy a zz4 350.
i want to build it not buy a creat engine and it also got to be street legal
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Valley of the Sun
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: Al LT1 headed LG4 305
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi with spacer
Well there are a million ways to get 300hp from a 350. First what is your budget? Do you want FI?
Tell us a little more about what you want other then 300hp, please.
Tell us a little more about what you want other then 300hp, please.
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From: Elgin, IL
Car: 1997 Corvette
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73 IRS
For 5g's you could get probably a bit more than 300HP out of a 350...
Buy a ZZ4 and supercharge it
Or get a 350 roller block, 9.0:1 .030" pistons, port stock L98 heads, get a nice cam (I don't know much about cams though), and a stealthram. Then supercharge that.
Or buy a 383 kit and make a 383 out of a 350 roller block.
Or buy some really nice AFR heads and go all motor.
Or do both the above
There's a ton of options man. What are you going to use it for most of the time, what kinds of track times do you want, how much streetability do you want, what other supporting mods do you have, etc.???
Wish I had 5 grand to spend on a motor. Hell, wish I had 5 grand to spend on anything. I'd be happy just not to owe $2k to my dad right now for my car so far.
Buy a ZZ4 and supercharge it

Or get a 350 roller block, 9.0:1 .030" pistons, port stock L98 heads, get a nice cam (I don't know much about cams though), and a stealthram. Then supercharge that.
Or buy a 383 kit and make a 383 out of a 350 roller block.
Or buy some really nice AFR heads and go all motor.
Or do both the above

There's a ton of options man. What are you going to use it for most of the time, what kinds of track times do you want, how much streetability do you want, what other supporting mods do you have, etc.???
Wish I had 5 grand to spend on a motor. Hell, wish I had 5 grand to spend on anything. I'd be happy just not to owe $2k to my dad right now for my car so far.
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From: delaware
Car: 1985 camaro z28
Engine: v8 lg4
Transmission: 5 speed
i want to run 12s in the 1/4 and it to be a strip/street car how much horsepower would i need to do so and whats the best bang for the bucks things i should get and what compassion ratio would i need
Last edited by 1985bluecamaroz; Jul 25, 2004 at 06:47 PM.
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From: Elgin, IL
Car: 1997 Corvette
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73 IRS
Well, carbs are nice for high HP, but fuel injection is very powerful too if you tune it right.
Have you considered starting with a 400 block instead of a 350 block?
If you're interested in a supercharger, get some 9.0:1 forged/hyper pistons and high-strength rods.
If you want to go NA, get something like 10.5:1 pistons.
Port stock heads, or pick up a set of AFR 190/195s or Trickflows.
Another option would be a 383 crank for more torque and displacement.
Get some 1 3/4" headers.
Intake...either go stealthram/superram/converted LT1 for fuel injection, or go with a good carb intake (I really don't know much about carbs either)
I don't know anything about cams either, so someone else will have to help with the valvetrain recommendations.
Do you have any other mods on your car so far?
Have you considered starting with a 400 block instead of a 350 block?
If you're interested in a supercharger, get some 9.0:1 forged/hyper pistons and high-strength rods.
If you want to go NA, get something like 10.5:1 pistons.
Port stock heads, or pick up a set of AFR 190/195s or Trickflows.
Another option would be a 383 crank for more torque and displacement.
Get some 1 3/4" headers.
Intake...either go stealthram/superram/converted LT1 for fuel injection, or go with a good carb intake (I really don't know much about carbs either)
I don't know anything about cams either, so someone else will have to help with the valvetrain recommendations.
Do you have any other mods on your car so far?
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From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
If he already has an LG4, then a carb swap would be alot easier to do, and a carb can be just as reliable and more powerful than EFI. And its alot less complicated to get working IMO.
This is how I would build a mild 350 on a budget:
- 350 block bored .030"
- Flat top pistons (forged is good, but not necessary)
- Stock rods with upgraded rod bolts
- Stock type oil pump
- Perf. RPM 4bbl intake manifold
- Headers (1-5/8" primaries reccomended)
- L98 heads with cleaned up ports
- Holley or Qjet 4bbl carb (non-CC)
- Factory HEI dissy with a few upgrades (non-CC)
This is how I would build a mild 350 on a budget:
- 350 block bored .030"
- Flat top pistons (forged is good, but not necessary)
- Stock rods with upgraded rod bolts
- Stock type oil pump
- Perf. RPM 4bbl intake manifold
- Headers (1-5/8" primaries reccomended)
- L98 heads with cleaned up ports
- Holley or Qjet 4bbl carb (non-CC)
- Factory HEI dissy with a few upgrades (non-CC)
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: delaware
Car: 1985 camaro z28
Engine: v8 lg4
Transmission: 5 speed
right know i have a 1985 camaro z28 with the lg4 305 with 120,000 miles that has a rebuilt transmission with a stage 2 center force clutche and a rebuilt stock rear end with 3.73 gears.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Gary, In USA
Car: '85 Camaro
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: T-5
If you are trying to run low 12s you need at least 400 hp with a good chassis setup, preferably 500hp. It is easier to do this with more displacement. If you plan on building a 350 you can probably build a 383 for similar cost.
Carbs vs. FI - A LOT of people know how to do a carbed motor and the parts tend to be cheaper as there are fewer small pieces. FI allows you to in general have a more flexible engine that can be smoother running in broader climate conditions to due computer modualtion if you can find someone to program it correctly.
I am trying to decide how to go about the same thing. So far I have come up with buying a used TPI thirdgen for $2k and transferring the computer stuff and other parts I want. Then I can get a 350 to put under the TPI stuff for $350. I can drive that around for a while I get the SuperRam and AFR heads. That gives me time to get the 383 stroker kit while still driving a progressively faster car.
Carbs vs. FI - A LOT of people know how to do a carbed motor and the parts tend to be cheaper as there are fewer small pieces. FI allows you to in general have a more flexible engine that can be smoother running in broader climate conditions to due computer modualtion if you can find someone to program it correctly.
I am trying to decide how to go about the same thing. So far I have come up with buying a used TPI thirdgen for $2k and transferring the computer stuff and other parts I want. Then I can get a 350 to put under the TPI stuff for $350. I can drive that around for a while I get the SuperRam and AFR heads. That gives me time to get the 383 stroker kit while still driving a progressively faster car.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,852
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From: Valley of the Sun
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: Al LT1 headed LG4 305
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi with spacer
Stroke it bigger is better when it comes to engines. Get some good aftermarket heads, there are many good ones out there. Edelbrock RPM intake, 750cfm carb and a roller cam like a XR274. You should be in the 12's with a combo like that.
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From: Oklahoma
Car: 1991 Trans AM GTA
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Originally posted by 1985bluecamaroz
its for a 350 how much horsepower would i need to hit the 11s
its for a 350 how much horsepower would i need to hit the 11s
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Gary, In USA
Car: '85 Camaro
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: T-5
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Posts: 1,840
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From: Tigard, Oregon
Car: '86 Berlinetta
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
Why not get an LS1 engine, can probably nab one for about 2k, fab up motor mounts, get a new wiring harness for it, probably 100 dollars. Grab yourself a Tremec T56, I think they're like 1500 or so if you get it off eBay. Add shipping and handling to all this you'll have yourself at say 4k. Then 1k in mods, those LS1's respond very well to mods I hear.
You can go to Camaroz28.com to check out what people do w/ their LT1 and LS1's. Plus, then you can run around saying that you've got an LS1 3rd Gen. How cool is that?
Just thought I'd put that out there since no one else has yet.
You can go to Camaroz28.com to check out what people do w/ their LT1 and LS1's. Plus, then you can run around saying that you've got an LS1 3rd Gen. How cool is that?
Just thought I'd put that out there since no one else has yet. Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
From: Gary, In USA
Car: '85 Camaro
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: T-5
Where does one find an LS1 for $2k?? And how much of the LS1 is it? I haven't figured out how to do just the stock swap for less than $7k. If that is true then EVERYONE will be going for that, the market on LT1s and L98s will plummet and it will still be WAY cheaper to do a "regular" 350.
Originally posted by ME Leigh
a roller cam like a XR274. You should be in the 12's with a combo like that.
a roller cam like a XR274. You should be in the 12's with a combo like that.
i always hear of this cam xr274 .i was wondering who here has used this cam and are in the 12`s NA, timeslips ??.
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
Car: Z28
Engine: Sb2.2 406
Transmission: Jerico 4 speed
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.60
Not to mention the ZZ4 isn't a blower motor. At 10:1 comrpession, it wouldn't be my first choice. Nitrous would be ok, IF you set it up right.
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From: Cypress,Tx
Car: 89 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 carbed now
Transmission: World Class T5
Axle/Gears: Peg Leg w/ 3.73's
This combo should go mid 12's easy
roller 350 bored .30 over
Performer RPM heads
Performer RPM intake
LT4 hotcam
Holley 750 Double pumper
1 3/4 headers and 3'' exhaust
2400 stall
Built suspension
Rebuild T-5 to handle 400hp
and a good set of sticky tires.
Performer RPM heads
Performer RPM intake
LT4 hotcam
Holley 750 Double pumper
1 3/4 headers and 3'' exhaust
2400 stall
Built suspension
Rebuild T-5 to handle 400hp
and a good set of sticky tires.
In my sig is a very easy to drive and well behaved engine that can be built on a tight budget. No real numbers to back it up yet it should be good for a 12 second pass. Once it warms up you can drive around in traffic and it acts like a stock moter unless you get your foot in it.
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From: Oklahoma
Car: 1991 Trans AM GTA
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: This combo should go mid 12's easy
Originally posted by IROCaholic
2400 stall
Rebuild T-5 to handle 400hp
2400 stall
Rebuild T-5 to handle 400hp
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,552
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From: New Jersey
Car: 86 Corvette, 89 IROC, 1999 TA
Engine: 350, 350, LS1
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.07, 373, 4.10
after you dump all that money into the engine your gonna need a tranny and a rear end that can handle it.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,521
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From: Cypress,Tx
Car: 89 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 carbed now
Transmission: World Class T5
Axle/Gears: Peg Leg w/ 3.73's
Re: Re: This combo should go mid 12's easy
Originally posted by White91GTA
I think you are slightly confused here...his car is a 5spd so why the hell are you telling him to get a 2400 stall and then rebuild his existing tranny?
I think you are slightly confused here...his car is a 5spd so why the hell are you telling him to get a 2400 stall and then rebuild his existing tranny?
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