A long time I had built a 350. This motor right now has +6.1 cc flat top pistons, performer intake, 600 cfm carb and an unknown cam. The heads that are on there are some junk 624 castings with z24? springs and new valves and such. I lost the cam card a long time ago because the engine wasn't fired for about 8 years after it was built but the guy that helped me said it was about as high lift as you could go with those heads. It has a nice lumpy idle to it.

Since I've dropped the motor in and ran it I know that my bottom end is fine but I'm in the quest for some more power. I'd like to pick up some heads but there are so many options. Some options I'm considering are:

1.) I have some 416 heads and a pair of 083 heads. $300-400
2.) New stock vortecs $600 plus $200 for an intake
3.) Vortec upgrade package from sdparks $1100 http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...formerRPM.aspx
4.) Summit racing brand heads $1000 http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
5.) Trick flow racing heads http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
6.)GM Fast Burn http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I could probably afford any of these options and get a different affordable intake. Any extra money though could go to rear end and gears. What do you guys suggest?

 

1) not a significant gain in power. But at least you can keep your tiny carburetor.(2) A noticeable gain, but still iron, and you have to buy an intake. (3) if you're sticking with the cam you have, no improvement over (2). (4) Those are 200cc, so they're gonna like a bigger cam than whatever worked well with 624s, then you're gonna want at least a 2000-stall converter and at least a 3.23:1 gear. (5) same comments as for (4). (6) 210cc, poorer flow than (5), so less low-rpm torque. So here's option 7: go to www.competitionproducts.com, and spend $575 on a new bare pair of Patriot 185cc aluminum heads, $80 on a new set of stainless valves, $26 on a set of 98111 valvesprings, and $15 for a set of valveseals, plus about a $13 handling charge. That adds up to $709. That's cheaper than all your options except the first one. Reuse the retainers and locks from your 624 heads.