Looks like I might not have to go with a budget 305. My friend has decided to sell his extra 350.

L98 short block, 60K original miles.
It has an LT4 Hot Cam, 218/228 .525/.525
The cam is pretty much brand new. He wants $500 for all that.

Then I will add my ported L98 heads, Performer intake, Performer 600 carb, and still use my 3" exhaust.

Good street setup? I want a car thats pulls real good from like 40-70mph. And Im also gonna add in the future a 75 or 100shot of No2,just for insurance

Now for a tranny. Im not going to use the T5. Im gonna be switching to an auto. My friends have gone through too many 700r4's behind mild setups like this one, so I dont think I should use one of those. My price range for a tranny is about $500. So Im thinking just use a TH350? Cheap and can handle the torque.

Suggestions?

 

You got a good deal on the short block w/LT4-hotcam. Have you had anything else done to the heads beside port and polish? You may want to go with screw in studs and guide plates but if you’re using self aligning rockers then omit the guide plates. If you are going to use 1.6 rockers, you will a good set of springs to handle the lift.

 

Have the heads been milled for more lift? And you are sure the block is good? If yes and yes, then yes you are good to go.

 

I am thinking about having bigger valves put in the heads, and I am gonna use self aligning rockers. As for the screw in studs, I dont wanna pay the machine shop to do it for me, and Ive helped do it on a set of heads before and have no interest in doing it again myself, was too difficult. If the heads need to be milled for more lift my friend can do it for me.

What amount of power might it make? I just did alot of reading and it seems most people say the Hot cam is desgined for the Lt1 , and dosent work as well in other engines. My friend had ported and machined Vortec heads with this engine, and it didnt seem real fast to me, but he also only had a 2.75" exhaust,mabey that was why...

And putting a TH350 behind it is a good choice?

 

You really need to take care of those studs. Either roll pin them, or have them tapped for screw ins. You will be sorry later if you dont.

 

At least 350Hp? Can a used 700r4 handle that? And what is "pinning" the studs?

 

You drill a hole through the head and the stud, and hammer a roll pin through it, this keeps the stud from pulling out.

 

I guess like any used transmission it's taking a gamble. I have a friend with a pretty stout ZZ4 motor running a T5, he has run low 13's and admittedly does not powershift it. I think your T5 will be fine if you resist the urge to sidestep the clutch at five grand.

As far as a TH350 yes they are cheaper to build, and cheaper to make durrable.

How much are you going to drive this car? Are long trips in your future plans? Expect to loose 2-5 mpg with no overdrive.

I swapped my S10 four years ago, and do not regret going with an overdrive even though I spent $500 on one that was "rebuilt" (cough! ahem!) that never worked right and later spent $1395 for a Pro Built. Had I put a TH350 in that truck I'd seldom drive it.

Eric