Best Heads to pick?

[LoveTrain59]

Hi. I'm rebuilding my 350, and swapping it to a carburetor. I'm 99% sure I want a Thumpr Cam because of how nice it sounds, but I'm at loss at what heads, intake, and carb to pick. The engine is going to be bored .30 over, and the crank will stay the same size. I havent bought anything for the engine yet, and I'm waiting to send in my engine for the machine shop, so any help picking my heads, intake, or carb would be great. My budget isn't to big, around 1k not including machine work.

[Warrens69GMC]

We would need to know what year the 350 is from (casting numbers help), what the head casting numbers you have now, the transmission, rear end gear ratio, tire size(s), AC (y/n), what its going in (pickup/suburban?) and finally, the driving style you want (cruiser, mid range performance, spirited street driving, drag race).

Stay away from the thumpr series of cam, their all sound with no performance IMO.

[LoveTrain59]

Okay, Heres what I got.

Block year/casting #:J183
Date-14093638
Engine ID-K1025Hs0 (last # is either 0 or c) (Also in the middle of the ID, I can't tell weather it's an H or a space. Block is super dirty, even after scrubbing with degreaser. )


Head Casting #: 14102193

Transmission: 4L60E

Gear Ratio: 3.42

Tire size: 275/60r15

AC: No

Vehicle: 1994 C1500 pickup

Driving style: Cruising, but I'm certainly gonna have some fun with it (But I'm not gonna take it to the strip, not yet, atleast.)

[Warrens69GMC]

For what you have and your budget, your best bet is a 383. The swirl port heads, while not ideal, can be made to perform.

If the block has flat tappet cam:

balanced 383 kit:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311604465200...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/e...make/chevrolet


XE256 cam and lifter kit:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet

if the block has roller cam provisions-

either of the 383 kits above-
plus cam
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMP-Cams-Xt...dU~6IO&vxp=mtr

otherwise i would get a 350 new vortec crate motor from jegs. IMO its not worth it to buy used vortec heads then have them upgraded

[LoveTrain59]

Are my stock heads the swirl port heads? If so, what would I need to do to make them proficient?

Also, thanks for linking those kits and cam.

[Warrens69GMC]

The swirl port heads are the 193 castings and are designed to improve Torque from idle to 4000 rpm. To help the heads out, you could do a light home cleanup (video on youtube). The best bang for the buck in your case (IMO) would be to convert to 383 and accentuate the driving range 1500-4000 rpm that you will be spending 90+ percent of your time.

If you wanted to get new heads, get a 350 Vortec crate motor. You can get a new motor for `2000 and an intake from summit from 135.00. Buy the time you bought the heads (`700 ) + cam you are near the 1000 mark (`900 to be exact). For the cost of machine work + your 1000.00 - you could have a brand new motor.

The new motor would have vortec heads and a roller cam (which I believe yours is flat tappet).

[OutlawDrifter]

you are getting some pretty sound advice here. don't pick a cam because of how it sounds.

building an engine is like fine tuning an orchestra. if you want everything to work together, you have to pick the correct parts. most people tend to over cam an engine because they like the the sound of a heavy lope, then complain about it's street manners. an engine is an air pump, it's important to keep velocity in mind. i would do a few months of research before you create a sound budget. read everything you can on building an engine and how different parts effect the power outcome. learn about cam timing events and head flow/runner length. then when you've got your budget put together, add 30% to it to cover the things you didn't think of or that showed up after the fact.

[LoveTrain59]

Ok, you're right. I rather have a good sounding cam that performs great, than a cam that sounds amazing, but performs terrible for my applications.

Thanks for all the help, now I have an idea what I want, and how much I should save up for it all. Y'alls help have been great.

[OJ1988]

What induction? TBI?

[LoveTrain59]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

What induction? TBI?

Yea, its TBI.

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by LoveTrain59

..... and swapping it to a carburetor.

This is what the decisions were made for.

[Tom]

$1000 to rebuild an engine, even not including machine work, doesn't really leave room for new heads. Put the thumper cam in and be happy with the noise. Its just a cruiser.