Hello everyone, This is my second camaro, my first one was a 4th gen v6, 5 speed now I have an 87 Iroc z-28 auto. I bought the car for 1000 bucks in non running condition, I put a carb on it and drove it home. The car has a Holley 600 CFM carb on it, a mysterious intake with no numbers or markings on it, a unspecified Lunati cam that lopes very well, hooker shorty headers, Mallory Hyfire 6 digital ignition, a Holley red top electric fuel pump, a vacuum canister for the brakes a roll cage, relocated battery, and racing seats. I was wondering how much hp do you think this thing is putting out? Also today I was driving it home and it started making a horrible racket from the right valve cover and it seemed like it was running on 6 cylinders. I am going to rebuild the entire motor while I am messing with it and I am looking for some affordable suggestions to make my goal of 400 horsepower at the crank. The cam I think has something like .420 lift? I was maybe considering a set of vortec heads with a weiland intake? Thanks guys.

 

That's like telling you I bought a set of Nike shoes and asking you what size I wear. Your information is extremely vague, and even in that case - I highly doubt you're making anywhere near that HP number currently if you're not even sure what you have.

You need to figure out what you have first, THEN ask a question like that.

 

Search "400hp vortec build" on google and check out some of the builds there. Sounds like a decent deal for a grand

 

Well I wish I could give you more info but I cannot get the cam info from the guy before me because he moved and changed his number. The intake manifold is unmarked and when I pulled it tonight the only words stamped on the bottom was MADE IN CHINA so i guess it wasnt so good. I am going to pull the heads off and put some fresh vortec heads on there with a weiland intake.

 

I think it's reasonable for this formula to work:

400Hp X $11.25 = $4,500.

Is what it will take once it is all said and done.And that is somewhat conservative.

 

I dont see how it would cost $4,500 to get 400 hp. I have read all over the place that you just need the vortec heads, a cam, and exhaust and a good carb . I am just trying to piece it together correctly because the guy who had it before me mismatched all the parts.

Here is what I am buying so far.
vortec heads for 150
Edelbrock air gap intake for $380

What can I use for the rocker arms? I want to buy something aftermarket. Also, I know that have to be self aligning with the vortec heads or could i just use guideplates?

 

I am fairly new here but I have always heard 2 grand for the first three hundred hp and another thousand for every hundred hp over the 300..

 

$380 for intake?

Better have those heads magnafluxed and a valve job at the least.

 

Plus rebuild and machining costs for the higher valve lift needed to run a bigger cam

If you swap to guideplates you also need the special hardened push rods that plates require

 

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...e_roller_cams/

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...cam_355_build/

 

I pulled the head in my car and it turns out that I have a 305 and not a 350 like he told me. I am planning on getting a 350 somewhere and dropping it in. Does anyone have a 350 they want to get rid of? I am looking for a cheap motor it doesn't have to be complete either. I was looking on craigslist but everyone wants the engines weight in gold for their motor.

 

I've heard this story before, something about a whopper of an engine and a super built up car that turns into a frankenstien of the worst aftermarket parts thrown haphazardly at a cheap and abused third gen.....

I think it ended up sitting outside my neighbor's trailer.

I would guestimate that the $4500 is certainly on the conservative side of 400 hp, and considering that you will most likely not re-use the old 305 your expences just jumped up a notch. Plan a savings account and stock it up for a year or two and drive it like it is until you can afford a good motor or rebuild, then tackle the engine build and swap with all the parts necessary to make a running car. This will save that patch of grass on your front lawn from developing a camaro-shaped bald spot, and keeps you behind the wheel until you have the combo of your heart's (or wallet's) desire.