My goal is to run 13.5-13.8 or so with a 350 in my 83. I NEED to retain my emissions equipment, and CC Q-Jet.( hence, I need to pass emissions). Anyway, I already have a good 3.73 posi and a set of 26x8" slicks. But what about compression? Heads? I have a set of perfect '84 305 heads w/ 1.85" valves. Or I have a set of 76cc 1.94 heads off a 76 truck motor that need to be redone. Any cam suggestions? I heard the XE256 is a good one. Im planning on a 2200-2500 stall eventually. But please, Im ready to go on this. I need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance dudes, (and dudettes)

 

You need better heads, and a better cam. I'd go up at least one step to the XE262, and possibly the XE268. You need some heads with 64cc chambers and some real ports instead of that smog garbage. Look for a set of 186 castings. Forget the 305 heads.

FYI: I have a 305 (yes, that's right, 305) in my car now, with flat-top pistons, those heads (186), a set of Edelbrock TES, a Comp XM264HR-12 cam, Comp 1416 1.6 roller-tip rockers, and everything else the stock L69 stuff. I mean bone stock: the carb, intake, all sensors, the stock distributor, stock breather (L69), stock cat, stock exhaust except the muffler is a Dynomax. The car passed CA emissions, it's so stock. Right afterwards it dyno'ed at 214 RW HP which is about 265 crank HP. Your combo should put out a good bit more power than that, mine is already enough to where it should do low 14s.