For starters I hope I'm posting on the right board. Here is what I want to do I want to build a 355 but I want to keep as close to stock as possible. Where can I find a good stock cam and head set up. Also with the engine block being bored .030 over will I need an aftermarket chip if so what kind. I am old school and never messed with computer controlled engines I have only played with carbed engine that I build for my racecar. Any and all help will be appreciated. One more thing this is gonna be a daily driver that's why I want as stock as possible. Thanks

 

Are you looking to install the best stock head/cams that came in a thirdgen or just keeping stock look under the hood? You could swap heads to better aftermarket ones and reuse stock valve covers. Nobody would know the difference.

Stock TPI was designed for optimum performance on 305 v-8. Stock TPI can still make power on 350 and 383 engines, it just won't be optimal. Diameter of intake runners and manifold don't properly feed enough air to larger than 305 engines. Check out this post where they tested different TPI intakes on a 383 engine with good aftermarket heads and cam. Stock TPI can still make some power on a 383.
http://xtremecarzone.com.au/index.php?showtopic=386

Even though the stock TPI system is a "restriction" on larger cubed engines, changing heads and cam on your 350 will still yield power improvements. Your cars computer is MAF (mass air flow) and it adapts better to engine modifications without tuning your chip. Your overbore will not require a retune. I am not sure of the exact cams but I believe some cams such as LT4 hotcam, etc. will give you better performance without requiring a computer retune.

How much do you want to spend on heads? Vortec heads are not compatible with stock TPI intake. There are some decent aluminum heads that would work but you would be spending 900+ for them. Might be some stock style cast iron heads that would work. I think the iron heads on your car flow around 190cfm at max lift. Head airflow is not everything with TPI intakes but gives you an idea of where yours currently stand.

 

Blackdog you are the man. That is awesome info.I think I'm just gonna try and use a regular set of 2.02 heads nothing fancy with some good springs and rockers. I just really want to stay away from spending money on a chip. Now how do I get that hotcam to work?

 

No problem. I won't be able to give you more specific info, but at least some ideas on what to research. What you are planning has been done a lot on this website so hopefully more people will chime in and you can read up on some other posts.

You should be able to find some decent cast iron heads that flow better than stock. Check out these few links I found:
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128253
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504345

Maybe you can find some good used iron heads that somebody has already upgraded. Depending on what price you get on some iron heads, aftermarket may not be that much more $$. There are some good budget aluminum heads that would save 50 lbs off of front end vs cast iron. With aluminum you want to run 1 point higher static compression. Your stock heads are 64cc. Don't go bigger than that as TPI intakes like small ports to build port velocity.

I don't think there is anything special about hotcams. You just install it like any other cam. Trick is picking a cam that will work with your stock tune. Once you get so far past stock cam specs, you definitely need a tune. I am just not sure what cams hit that limit. I know people go with hotcams a lot to get more power with stock TPI. Try doing a search with that word and you might also get some good info on what heads to use with them!

 

Thanks man. Say I went with a bigger cam and injecters with stocks heads and upgraded valvetrain how do I get a chip to accommodate those changes. What I mean is do I have to call a company tell them what I'm doing and then have them burn me a custom chip or can I just use a hypertech street runner chip?

 

for any type of cam upgrade on stock heads you would want screw in studs and better springs and retainers because stock heads can only take about .470 lift max.. the crane powermax 2032 cam (part number 104224) is the biggest cam you can put in your car without messing with the heads or tune..... i had that cam about three years ago in my other engine and it was a nice little upgrade for sure.... but that engine is long gone now and i went with a new forged 355 block for my car now..go to pcmforless.com and go to the tuning page and go to the firebird part and fill out the forum.. list everything you have done to your car and they will tune accordingly.. i have a tune by pcmforless and they are pretty good... lots of people go there to tune their cars. they are located in charlotte NC... so you would need to get a mail order tune... since im only about 100 miles from their business i will be giving them a visit shortly when i complete my FIRST swap..