I just finished swapping a 350 into the camaro and got it running right. Unfortunately I burned up the trans and that set me back another $1500. I got a 2 yr warranty on the trans now though. Anyway, the 350 has heads with casting number 193. From what I read, these are swirl port junk heads. I have the 081 casting number heads from my 305 though. Would it be an upgrade to rebuild these 081's, possibly a port and polish and larger valves, and put them on? Would I raise my compression too high for regular gas? The 350 is out of a 1994 full size van. I'm almost positive that it has dish top pistons. I'm just curious. I will probably swap them in when I switch to a better cam.
By the way, I was tinking the comp XE256 cam. I know that it is a bit small. What would you guys suggest for a good daily driver cam that would boost me up the most in power? I want to stick to the stock torque converter because I don't think the trans shop will honor my warranty if I start messing with stuff.

 

Doing performance-oriented work to stock heads is getting to be money foolishly spent these days. Aftermarket heads now are SO much better for only moderately more money than tricked-up earlier factory castings.

Vortec heads are obvious low-buck winners. And really fine aftermarket aluminum entry-level performance heads can be had for around a grand.

 

A GRAND! no no no. I'm talking really cheap. I have 081 heads FREE to me. I will do an at home port and polish possibly. That is after I strip the heads down, clean them, and have them madnafluxed. Then, if it doesn't cost too much and there are no cracks, have the valve seats ground to 1.94 int and leave the 1.5 exh. Then rebuild with new valves, guides, and springs. I'm not looking to race, just step it up to as much power as I can on a super tight budget.
I don't want to go vortec just because I just bought a summit non-egr aluminum intake.

 

Do a search for Sitting Bull, he did a thread on porting a pair of cylinder heads for cheap and it seems to be very informative. He specifically mentions 081 castings.

 

any ideas about the cam? How much does magnaflux and valve seat machining cost on a set of heads? Is this project worth my time?