Found that the 305 in my 86 Camaro has a set of 624 casting heads, which have a 76cc chamber. Needless to say the compression is so low on the motor, i could probably install a turbo that makes 20lbs of boost, and be ok. So I have a couple of choices available to me at this point.

1. Clean and install the 601 (similar to 416) 305 heads off the old LG4 that was in my 86 TA. These will need to be tanked, and I'm going to pull the springs off tonight to see if there are any slop in the guides. Probably going to have to get these rebuilt.

2. Throw on some Vortecs. I can get a set for $250, but I'll need a new intake and other parts.

3. Find a used set of 416's, 601's throw those on for now, and take the time to rebuild, port and install 1.94 valves in the 601's i have now.

4. run the 624's and hope it runs well enough to pass etest.

My goals are to get the car running as soon as possible, with decent performance, with a hope of using the same heads on a 350 some time down the road. Cost is also somewhat of a factor. I'd rather do it cheap if i can, but I have the coin to spend if i have to. I think i'll probably get the 601's i have now cleaned up and installed on my motor, and look at getting a set of 416's done when i get the time. The vortec's i don't have yet, and I'm not sure what shape they are in. It would probably be a week at least before i can have a look at them, and I'd like to get the car running next weekend.

Anyone else have some advice or ideas?

Thanks

 

I'd get the Vortecs and matching manifold. They'd probably be worth the wait.

 

does that engine even idle with that super high lift cam and ridicolously low compression? cause that cam is pretty damn radical for a 305, especially a low compression 305. good thing you picked up the new cam.

the vortecs would be nice, but the springs are only good to .450 lift and the intakes are expensive. i have a set of 416s you could have. got any parts to trade or anything, Kevin? let me know. i am around all day monday and tuesday.

 

I also vote for the votecs... as for a manifold, you can get a polished professional products "crosswind" copy of the edelbrock RPM air gap for $150US new on ebay. They as good if not better than the edelbrock version.

 

Are they the stock pistons? Just wondering if he changed them and up'd the comression with them large heads.

Personaly I would go with the Vortec's too. Peeps seem to be have good luck with them

 

Lg4 heads are about the worse heads the general ever made, I think in flow only out done by the 4.3 90 o V6. So I wouldnt recomend rebuilding them. There are a set of Iron L98s that have been decked in addition to other stuff in the classifieds here. That would probably be your cheapest option, but if you want to pony up a few hundred more you could probably get a 1/2 decent set of alluminum heads on Ebay if you want to go that route.

Btw- I bought the only iron L98s off of Accel a long while back off of his GTA and I plan to use them on my 383 IF I can hit the flow ratings that I need, they are decent heads. They are the dumb 'lightwieght' castings that GM skimped on, so check for cracks especially along the deck to exhaust ports and exhaust port to exhausht port. If you do Ebay some alluminum heads, you can be less weary of cracks because a machine shop can actually fix crackes in alluminum heads!