I'm looking for some suggestings/help as to how to build the 350 up for my '91Z28. I've got 3K to spend on parts, and I would like to try to stay within that price range.....if it goes over by a bit, it's ok, just don't want to spend an extra 1 or 2 grand over budget. I live in Cali, so, I would like to try to keep it as "smoggable" as possible, i.e., I don't mind bolting on cats, etc., just to pass smog, then yank them after that...just as long as I don't have to do anything major to get it to pass.

Basically, what I would like to have is a daily driven (reliable) car. I would like to bolt on some slicks and make at least some high 12 sec passes, bolt on my street tires and go home and be ready for work the next morning. I would also like to be able to squeeze no more then a 150 shot of laughing gas just for "***** and giggles," if you will I know that obviously, if I've got the motor apart, might as well and build a 383, but I remember someone telling me that I don't have to build a 383 for a TPI, being that it already produces lots of torque. I don't mind a 383, and wouldn't have a problem building one, what do you guys think?

As for parts I currently have, the stock heads were ported and polished by the original owner (I bought the car back in '00, and it spun a rod bearing a week after I took ownership and as been sitting ever since!), the stock runners have been ported, I believe the plenum may have been ported, but I'm not too sure, I've got Edelbrock shorty headers, and the stock cam was regrinded back in the mid 90's (yeah I know, it's WAY outta date and could use a new cam!). I believe that's about it. The original owner told me that he used to run mind 13s with cheaters, but supposedly, a friend of his had put some slicks on it and almost broke into the high 12s after the original owner had did something to the car (which happened some time after the mid 13 sec pass).

So yeah, I'm looking for any and all help, suggestions, etc., for a great daily driven, reliable, build up for my '91 Z28, thanks in advance, and I look forward for everyone's helpful information!

BTW, if for any reason my expectations are too far fetched with my budget, please let tell me, and let me know ideally and realistically, how much I'd need to have a 12 sec daily driven ride, thanks agian!


Edit: Rear end has 4.11s, and tranny has the stock converter

 

You can keep the 350 internal, put new headers on, aluminum heads with a 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust, a 2500 stall converter, stealth ram intake manifold, and 30 pound injectors along with 150 shot of juice would put you deep in the 12's

 

I would like to run 12s on motor alone, then if I choose to, squeeze a 150 shot or nitrous....or maybe later on down the road slap on a Procharger and run 11s. Any cam suggestions? What size, brand, lift, duration, etc? Is the Stealth Ram 50 state legal? A while back I was dead set on getting a TPIS Mini Ram, but found out that, obvioulsy, it's not 50 state legal.

 

there a recent thread on this exact question, it has a tons of options to run in the 12s on the motor.

 

Please excuse me if I sound "helpless," but, where/which thread? I did a search and all I came up with is a few threads of guys selling their F-bodies, a guy who was thinking about putting a Caddy motor in his ride, and a few various others...but none were recent threads and/or informative. Maybe I used the wrong wording in the search funciton?

 

no problem here it is

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...t=#post3537857