So I just bought an engine that I am planning on rebuilding for my 87 camaro. It's a mid 70s 350 four bolt main block bored .030 over, has an "rv" cam no idea as to the specs.

I'm not looking to build a huge horsepower engine just something with a little more pull then what's in there now.

So this brings me to my question, it had a set of heads with the casting number 333881 I believe, what is the max power I can make with these heads? I'm on quite a tight budget and don't know if I will be able to afford a new set of heads, and it's hard to find any good used sets anywhere close by.

 

Those are early-mid 70s smogger large chamber heads. Similar to 333882, which is probably the most common casting # in existence.

With that type of heads, that's good, because it's not going to happen regardless.

Engines with that kind of heads were usually "rated" by the factory at 160 - 165 HP w 2-bbl carb and 180 - 185 w 4-bbl. (at the crank, as installed in the chassis) Depending on the exhaust you have and the cam, you might get 225 or so out of it. Of course, since it's twice the inches of your 6-cyl, you'll get about twice the torque; should be around 300 ft-lbs or thereabouts.

 

Well based on numbers like that I will be saving a little extra for a set of heads. I really want to get it to around 350 or 400 hp, and in that range for torque as well.

With that being said does anyone have suggestions on what heads would work for me? Also what cam I should get? I would be using this car as my daily driver so I would prefer something drive able, but would like a bit of a lumpy idle. I was thinking about a set of retrofit roller lifters, so would need a roller cam, unless you would suggest otherwise?

I have all the tools and the ability to do the job, I have been a mechanic for 6 years, but I've never done anything other then stock rebuilds for warrantee so I'm not sure what parts will play nice together and give me the numbers that I want.

 

Id go with vortec heads and a hydraulic flat tappet cam with around 218-222 duration and 450-465 lift numbers and 112-116 LSA. This is usually a cheap route and get you well over 300hp range. Your intake will set you back a lil but if you can find a vortec specific intake used on ebay or something it would be well worth it.

 

The whole retrofit roller setup will run you around $800; so based on the rest of your post, I wouldn't recommend that.

Vortec heads and a moderate cam are one of the cheeeepest ways to get good power. Very popular. Considerably more bang for the buck in a low-$$$ situation than retrofit rollers.

 

Well I've been thinking and if I'm going to build a new engine I should just do it right. I would like to get it done for about $2000, not including any machining that may need to be done. I can go a little higher if the gains are there as far as power and reliability are concerned.