Hi
I am converting a smog 350 4 bolt main to a TPI I got a deal on some parts and I am happy with what I have so far. If I have shot myself in the foot so be it.

Here it is

350 4 bolt bored 030 with flat top pistons
I beleive stock vortec heads casting 062 1.94
Scoggins dickey vortec intakes
Scoggins Dickey siamese runners

My questions are

What cam

should I modify heads to accept higher lift cam

what trottle body

anything else you can think of to squeeze as much HP out of this

The car has
342 posi
rock solid 200-4r
headers

Thanks

 

Well, you have TPI, so you cannot use one of those massive cams that go to 6500 rpms and such.

Vortec heads, if I am not mistaken go up to .480 lift.

If you want to do no machining whatsoever, then get an LT1 cam and some 1.6 RR's

However, there is a thread about some guy on ebay who makes a spring set that supposively makes your heads handle .550 lift. I would be a little weary about this though, if this was legit they would be selling these on summit.

 

Another question my block is not a roller block( I'm not sure what that is) Can I put a LT1 cam in it? What am I limited to not having a roller block.

Thanks

 

I'm the one who stated that thread. It's pretty much been debunked as any use. I think they work, but not NEAR as strong as if you did it correctly, besides it causing other interference issues you'd hafta deal with.

If you want to exceed .480, do it the right way. Pull them, have a machine shop do it right, and put some scew-in studs.

 

I had my heads worked to accept the .525 lift w/1.6 rockers and installed screww in studs. Also make sure to elongate the pushrod hole.

 

if I might ask what did that machine work cost. I might have messed up I bought new vortec now I have to take them apart and have machine work done. I should have bought used for cheap and had all machine work done with valve job.

 

You could have just bought the ready-to-go Vortec heads (like from Scoggin-Dickey), and been ready to go, for the bigger lift, screw-in studs, etc. That's the way I'll be going.

 

Since no one answered your question, Yes technically you can, straight up as is no. You would need a roller retrofit kit. The price would render the cam useless. You could get a great flat tappet cam, There are pros and cons of both, just stick with what you have.