Have a swapmeet/car show coming up locally soon, and this will be my first year going to it and having a v8 which is what they mostly have. Yes, this is my first v8 after 16 years of owning cars, so I'm learning still.

I have parts on the way to convert my car from 350TBI to 350TPI. While I'm down that far, I'm thinking about maybe looking for some heads, and exhaust manifolds.

I plan to look soon and see what heads I have.

Why manifolds n not headers? Ive had nothing but problems from cars with headers.

So, what are the best heads, and in what order. And what exhaust manifolds would go best with them heads? What is a fair price to pay?

In some quick searching I found...
062 vortec heads (will need new lower base)
113 Alum 350 TPI heads
083 steel 350 TPI heads
081 steel 305 TPI heads (will they work on 350? or to high compression)

What else should I look for, and where would it fit on that chart?

manifolds?
I know the vortecs take different ones then regular heads. What will fit, and work best?

 

The Vortec TPI base is unique, and has only one manufacturer, Edelbrock. Also sold by SDPC, but it's still the Edelbrock.

Aluminum 113 heads require a Vette base, or '85-'86 base, or modification to '87-'92 base. The center two intake mount bolts on each side are at 90 degrees like the rest of the bolts, while those two on '87-up engines are at 72 degrees.

305 heads will work, you just need to chose pistons, head gasket, etc., to accommodate them and keep compression reasonable.

Get aftermarket tubular headers. Don't bother with stock manifolds. Good headers cost more, but are worth it. You won't have any problems with Hooker 2055HKR's, for instance. But, if you insist, just get TPI manifolds. I don't know for certain, but most likely truck Vortec exhaust manifolds won't fit the 3rd gen chassis.

 

ok, I have 810 heads. Appear from quick search to be 93+ truck heads, 1.94,1.50, 65cc, swirl port designed for torque which is what I want.

So your saying, go to vortec and swap intake, or stay with 083 heads.

 

Up to you. The Vortec route is certainly the most expensive, but would probably yield the best ultimate results.

Swirlports with an otherwise stock TPI isn't all that bad an option.

 

so unless I find some vortecs, or 083's for a stupid cheap price, stick with what I have?

You said TPI manifolds are best? :edit: found info