So I picked up a 1985 camaro z28 , with a supposed 350 (swapped) tpi.
Pulled the valve covers and I probably have the worst head casting in existence, 3932441. I'm pulling the heads of today if we can get some decent Texas weather.

My question is why this car has those heads because a google search reveals that nobody else has these heads on a tpi intake.

I'm building a cheap little hot rod/ daily driver and i feel my weakest point already is the heads. My compression ratio is gonna suck, so what is yall's recommendation?

The short block im swapping in is a 2 bolt zz4 block (350) that has been rebuilt. The vortec adapter plenum is 400$ and I cant afford that. I can salvage some parts to go carbureted with some vortec or maybe camel hump heads, but I drive 100miles daily so I need to think about mpg aswell. The tpi will get me around low 20mpg while making close to 300hp (if I port runners and intake and decent cam) but can the carbureted set up do the same with more hp?

 

Best bet would be to save money then pull the heads. Vortec heads are awesome or you can get some cheaper aftermarket heads.

Why do you do something crazy like list a budget that might help people suggest stuff.

 

Well my budget is pretty tight right now, lets say 600$. I really cant justify getting a short ram intake for the vortec heads because in the next year or so I want to go super charged or turbo charged.

 

isnt the ZZ4 motor a 4bolt main?

and my 2 cents, a cam is gonna burn more fuel, but you can do that, a mild crane 3032 cam (check for my video on this page "need help with my startup"). a lot of people here like vortec heads, they seem pretty available and people have good success with them. in my opinion, do all the headwork, and lower engine work now, then later on do the intake manifold, it'll be easier to do it that way

 

My father bought the motor from gm and was put in my grandfathers suburban, it was already assembled when he put it in. He never went through the motor until last year and found out it was a 2-bolt. I looked up the serial number and its the same as the zz4 blocks. It has all the roller cam stuff machined into it, along with coated rods and flat top pistons so who knows ?

I'm having a hard time getting one of the front passenger bolts out (one of the six intake bolts with the star head) so im thinking I might just say screw it and find an intake and carb to use with my hotcam. I mean with vortec heads and a good carb i should still hopefully get around 20mpg? I know I can get closer to 350hp with the carb but how much of a hit will I take ditching the tpi set up?

The only reason I was even considering keeping the tpi was for turbo ability years down the road.

Here are some rough pictures

 

I wouldn't worry about casting numbers or if its a zz4 block. My block came out of 1 ton van and it's casted the same # as a zz4. A two bolt is fine for your average build. The important part is the roller cam provisions.

In my opinion, just make the current build run. Save money. Do a real, thought out build.

 

if you're going to ditch the heads, then just try what you can for the stuborn bolt. if it breaks, then oh well if you're putting on new heads. and yes, a 2 bolt main is plenty strong for these cars. if you have all the parts for a tpi, then go with that in my own opinion, plus they look cooler.

 

Well so far all the injectors are going to need new seals and I'm taking the one head off and I will pull the plenum and other head together so I can take it to my grandads shop.

So my part list for TPI is

TB gasket
Runner gaskets
Injectors are pretty torn up so I would need to get 8 used or 8 new

Depending if the heads are still good I could re use them with tpi but if one is bad I would have to find some tpi heads at the junk yard.

So Im looking at 40 bucks plus alot of parts cleaner, If the heads are good.


For a carb set up I have a set of camel hump heads with aftermarket springs along with a decent hot cam, but I need to purchase an intake and carb so thats 200 ish $ along with a pick up tube in the gas tank witch will run me at least a 100$


Things I need regardless of witch set up I choose are,

Radiator
power steering hoses
Transmission seals + any other crap I see worn out.
Good set of door handles
window + door seals + back hatch
wiper blades
paint job


So it does seem I need to go for the tpi set up for money, but carb is going to be more of an instant gratification.

 

If your heads are junk I got 2 sets of 350 tpi heads. I'm in nj so if you wanted to pay for shipping and maybe a couple bucks they're yours. No one around here wants them anyway lol. Pm me if you want them.

 

Pm'ed for casting information.