I'm building a 1986 Chevy 350 for my 1984 Z28 Project. Right now I'm a long way off, at just 180 HP, So I'm hoping one of you knows a good combo to meet my power goal. I'm not interested in stroking it out, boring it over, or nitrous. I'm going with a carburetor, and I'd like too avoid any form of forced induction that won't fit under a 3" cowl hood.

 

your best bet would probably be to just get one of the "top end kits" that have all the parts already and have been dyno ran.

 

look at blueprint engines on summit,jegs etc for a complete ,ready to run,warrantied crate engine or check with gm as they sell crate engines as well.

 

https://blueprintengines.com/product...lock-bp3503ct1

 

I just bought a GM Performance ZZ6 350ci 405hp. A little pricey, but it’s an all brand new GM motor with a warranty.

 

nice,im basically building my own sp350/357 but i don't have a $5000 budget so there is that!!
i just about have all the parts,until then im stuck driving an lg4 third gen,argggggh.
i do have a spare LB9, a spare L98 so i guess if i get bored i can swap one of them in.

 

I contemplated a crate motor but in the end I decided to build one myself. Seeing these replies that was probably a mistake, but hindsight is 20/20. I don't want to spend more than 1k per part so top end kits are out of the question for now. I've decided on a 750 CFM Carb with an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold and stock Vortec heads. If anyone knows a better pair of heads under 900 bucks that would he great, but I'm mainly looking at valvetrain upgrades and a good cam.

 

I think you’re on the right track for a budget build. Vortec heads are a nice low cost option. Pair it with a good cam (I like the hotcam, but there are many good options) and headers and you will be right around 400hp.

 

a good cam FOR VORTEC HEADS is the lt4 roller or the gmpp 7151,both will work with edlebrock heads
but its recommended to use ls1/ls6 beehive springs and comp(vortec specific) RETAINERS.