Well, the 305 in my 85 Z28 puked It's guts, so It's time for a new engine.

I've got a 350 SBC locked down that was originally out of a 72 pickup. It's carbed but I'm going to take the TPi setup from my 305 and swap it over. Now, I'm being told that all I will need to make this work is a new ECM, new cam and lifters and pushrods (Flat tappet, of course).

I've already got some pushrods sourced and I've sourced an L98 cam from an 89 firebird formula. I have the set of stock hydraulic flat tappet lifters from my 305, and I've also managed to source a 165 ECM setup for a 5.7 L98. The guy I'm buying the engine from though mentioned something about bending the pushrods because he used hydraulic instead of solid. Could he have meant he used roller instead of flat tappet?

I realize that using that lifter and cam combo might not be the best idea from a performance perspective, but I'm on a tight budget here and need something that will work for the time being. I won't even be able to get the new injectors until a few weeks from now. Also this car to pass emissions until feb of 09.

I need some answers fast! The clock is ticking on these parts! Thanks guys.

 

Alright. At this point I'm extremely confused. Right when I think I've read the correct information or someone has steered me in the right direction, that information is proven to be wrong.

Saying I bought the 72 350 SBC. What type of lifters would I need? Solid or hydraulic? Flat tappet or roller? What type of cam would I be needing, and what ECM/prom would I be looking for?

Thanks.

 

What about CompCam 12-388-4, new set of lfat tappet lifters from summit and a 1985 corvette (L98) ECM?

 

that l98 cam that you have is for a Roller engine, the 72 350 u have is flattappet, youl need roller lifters for that cam. you would be better off getting a comp cam or something along those lines that are flat tappet becuase your block is not set up for roller lifters unless you use the i think there called retro roller lifters or soemthing like that and those are pricey. someone else will have to suggest a cam becuase i kno nothing about them except what i just told you. although im going to be using either the comp xe268 or xe274 in my 350 but its also carb so i dont kno how those cams will work with a tpi setup

 

I just bought this cam

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Comp-...spagenameZWD1V



Now, I'm going to pick up an ECM out of a 1985 L98 corvette and swap over the TPi setup from my 305.

The only thing left confusing me is the lifters. The guy I'm buying the engine from mentioned something about not being able to set valve lash when using hydraulic lifters. Is this because of his intake and cam setup (The engine is currently carb) or is the problem the heads? He said he used factory specs and bent the pushrods.

 

you dont need a new ecm, it should run ok with the one you have already, but would run much better with a suitable prom. No idea about his cam problem. What heads are on it? You may be better off swapping your 305 heads over if they are 70's smogger junk.

 

you cant set valve lash with hydrualic lifters because there shouldnt be any lash...
we would need to know what cam he was running to guess at why he bent the pushrods though...

shouldnt have bought a used flat tappet cam off ebay... they arent like roller cams especially with "some dyno time"

 

from the pics the cam looks to be in decent shape, though I would agree that buying a used flat tappet cam is kinda silly.. It should be ok with a new set of lifters though..

 

yeah it might work out but when you start losing lobes you will really wish you bought new...

besides dyno pulls on a cam that looks like that.... must not have ran for very long... well probalby long enough to get to 6k

 

I'm counting pennies guys. I'll take what I can get.

I bought a set of comp lifters from the same guy. They look in the same class as the cam does.

6K? Your joking right? That's just about new...

 

hey man if your on a tight budget like me i suggest KEEPING it carbed. its already setup for it and once you get your car setup and want to start making more HP/TQ youll probably end up going to carb like i did thanks to some suggestions from others. the amount of time chip burning and dynoing you will need to actually get good performance out of your car compared to keeping the carb and upgrading stuff as you go such as a new cam,heads, to a 383 or something whatever it may be. like i said im switching over from EFI to carb and if your looking to save yourself money keep your setup and work with that.

 

his car is tpi already.