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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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Best Heads to pick?
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.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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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.) ![]() |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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 |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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). |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
Yeah. I know that a crate motor is the best option for price, but I'm only 16 and I'm doing it for the experience. If I have to pay a couple extra hindered extra dollars, so be it.
Regardless, vortec heads would be the best heads to go with my build for a price to be performance perspective? |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northeast KS
Posts: 1,777
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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.
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1999 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT, 454/4L80E 1991 Z/28, 6.0L/T56 1949 GMC 250, S10 Frame, 6.0L/4L80E Instagram @aceshighspeedshop |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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. |
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#11 |
Just a car guy
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: New Washington, IN
Posts: 991
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
What induction? TBI?
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1955 belair Blown Pro Street cruiser 1971 Camaro Pro Touring 1973 Vega Drag Car 1970 C20 tow rig |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 14
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
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#14 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,724
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Re: Best Heads to pick?
$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.
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-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
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350, 350 build, carb, heads |
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