350 rebuild

[DeputyDan]

Just sent my 350 off to the machine shop to be machined. Need some advice on cams and heads. The block will be .030 over and I was looking for something streetable to mild. I have a edelbrock 600cfm sitting on the shelf I would like to use and the regular performer intake. I was thinking a voodoo cam any suggestions on cam and head size for something mild?

[69Beauty]

I think either the 60101 or the 60102 would probably a good fit for you. if you go to lunatipower.com and type in those numbers it will give you the cam spec sheet.
These are more on the mild side as far as cams go.

[1low]

an edelbrock perfomer cam would go good with your matching intake and carb

[DeputyDan]

[QUOTE=1low;4525055]an edelbrock perfomer cam would go good with your matching intake and carb[/QUOT

Originally I was looking for just a little more pep than stock as I had good get up and go with stock. I pretty much have everything for the performer power package but the performer cam. I have been reading that I should stay away from edelbrock cams. That is why I was thinking a voodoo.

[DeputyDan]

I also was thinking of going with the edelbrock performer RPM or performer heads would they work with the voodoo 60102 or 60101?

[DeputyDan]

I decided to go with the Lunati 10602 since the block is being bore .030 over what would you guys suggest on piston heads that might give it a little more oomph? I have to choose new heads anyway since it's .030.

[1low]

u dont need new heads just becuse the block is bored .030 over but if u want new heads any after market 2.02 would be awsome

[Ticker]

It's impossible to talk about heads and cam seperately...they have to be very carefully matched to make power. If you haven't already paid for the cam...don't buy anything until you select the heads.

You don't need new heads just because of the overbore. What pistons are installed, and what's you're budget for heads? Need to know the piston volume and deck height for CR calculations.

[BIGBLU 72]

A agree stay away form the edelbrock peformer cam. i have on in my 400 sbc will only 1500 miles on it and hate it! it will be being recycled. I would look into the patriot performance vortec heads, seems that they have duel intake bolt pattern, screw in studs, 2.02/1.60 valves, bigger runners and better spring seats than the stock vortecs for not too much more

[DeputyDan]

Originally Posted by Ticker

It's impossible to talk about heads and cam seperately...they have to be very carefully matched to make power. If you haven't already paid for the cam...don't buy anything until you select the heads.

You don't need new heads just because of the overbore. What pistons are installed, and what's you're budget for heads? Need to know the piston volume and deck height for CR calculations.

I haven't picked pistons, heads, or cam. Thats kindof what I was looking for on here. The bore is .030 over and I would like to use the performer intake and 600cfm carb I have on the shelf. I was hoping you all could recommend a good head/cam/piston combo that would give me a better than stock package. my rear end is 3:7 I believe. I have 1500-2000 to spend on heads and cam and can probably weasle another 500 out of my old lady for pistons lol. This is a non egr 350 engine. It would be great to get over 300hp maybe even 310-330 if possible. Is that possible with a performer intake/edelbrock 600cfm, and original GM crank?

[cableguy0]

From what your saying. It sounds like you would be very happy with a vortec headed 9.5-1 sbc with a moderate cam. With a modern grind like a lunati voodoo or the comp xe line you can hope for 350hp give or take. Your budget is in a very good place. You can shop around and come up lower than what you have.

[DeputyDan]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

From what your saying. It sounds like you would be very happy with a vortec headed 9.5-1 sbc with a moderate cam. With a modern grind like a lunati voodoo or the comp xe line you can hope for 350hp give or take. Your budget is in a very good place. You can shop around and come up lower than what you have.

Would it be better to get heads that are in teh 70cc range or 62-64 cc range?

[cableguy0]

That all depends on the pistons your using. Basically we decide on the heads that will be used and move on from there. Heads dictate the cam and also depending on whats available for chamber size of a particular head you choose the proper piston to get the right compression ratio.

[DeputyDan]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

That all depends on the pistons your using. Basically we decide on the heads that will be used and move on from there. Heads dictate the cam and also depending on whats available for chamber size of a particular head you choose the proper piston to get the right compression ratio.

I see so are vortec heads better than the edelbrock performer or performer rpm heads? Thats what I had my eye on with the voodo 60102 cam. The edelbrock performer head comes in either 64 or 70cc and the RPM heads come in 64 or 77cc chambers also. So if I chose one of these heads what would be a good piston?

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by DDixon1000

I haven't picked pistons, heads, or cam.

Wait a minute...your block is being machined and you don't have pistons?

Not possible - if your machine shop is actually boring and honing the block without pistons in hand...find another shop!

If I misunderstood, please correct me.

[DeputyDan]

No you got it right they said any .030 over piston will work that they only bore the block they don't do assembly. I'm assuming I should probably stop them at this point LOL! (first rebuild always bought crates)!

[cableguy0]

The performer heads in my opinion arent worth spending the money on. The performer rpm is a pretty good head though. If I went with the peformer rpm I would choose the 70cc chamber and run a flat top piston with 4 valve reliefs to get somewhere around 9.5-1 compression. its impossible to give you a dead on compression without knowing deck height head gaskets etc etc. But thats pretty close. With the performer rpm heads You could upgrade to the lunati 60103. It might be out of the range your expecting horsepower wise. But 375hp+ isnt out of the question. More than likely higher.

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by DDixon1000

No you got it right they said any .030 over piston will work that they only bore the block they don't do assembly. I'm assuming I should probably stop them at this point LOL! (first rebuild always bought crates)!

Bad shop for sure - move on. Now.

Pistons are very different from brand to brand and type to type in terms of the clearance they expect...and how that clearance is achieved.

Rings vary dramatically in terms of what they expect the finish to be. If they hone with a 400 grit and you show up with iron rings (which you shouldn't, but that's another story)your rings will NEVER seat.

No shop worth a dime is going to bore and hone without pistons and rings in-hand.

[cableguy0]

Bore has to be matched to the pistons. You cant just generically machine a block and call it good. It all depends on the application. The finish hone is what matter and varies greatly from piston to piston and even the rings used. You should be using moly rings and definately not cast. Hypereutectic pistons are probably the best choice for your moderate build.

[DeputyDan]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

The performer heads in my opinion arent worth spending the money on. The performer rpm is a pretty good head though. If I went with the peformer rpm I would choose the 70cc chamber and run a flat top piston with 4 valve reliefs to get somewhere around 9.5-1 compression. its impossible to give you a dead on compression without knowing deck height head gaskets etc etc. But thats pretty close. With the performer rpm heads You could upgrade to the lunati 60103. It might be out of the range your expecting horsepower wise. But 375hp+ isnt out of the question. More than likely higher.

Ok I guess I blew that one lol I called the guy and the pistons and shortblock assembly are included in the machining he just didn't make that clear. I guess when he said any .030 would work he meant brand. He said when he gets to a customers block he measures it then calls with measurments and goes over what is possible after measurments. Sound right? As far as flat top pistons with 4 valve relief am I looking for an alluminum,cast, or something else? Also will a 600cfm and performer intake with adapter plate be good enough for the RPM heads, lunati 60103?

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by DDixon1000

No you got it right they said any .030 over piston will work that they only bore the block they don't do assembly. I'm assuming I should probably stop them at this point LOL! (first rebuild always bought crates)!

Bad, bad shop. Don't walk, run away.

[cableguy0]

I would upgrade to a performer rpm intake. The performer isnt a good choice for the rest of the parts. The 600 would be fine but if it was me I would upgrade to a 670 street avenger. Lets worry about that after you make a final choice on heads and cam.

[DeputyDan]

Heres what I'm thinking at this point then tell me if you see any problems.

SBC Block .030 over TH350 rebuilt trans 3:7 rear end
Edelbrock 600 cfm (because its sitting in my garage)
Edelbrock RPM Intake
Edelbrock RPM Heads (70 cc chamber, 185cc/65cc 2.02/1.60 .575 lift)
Voodoo 60103 Cam (227/233 .489"/.504")
Hypereutectic flat top pistons with 4 relief valves

Will the pistons fit on stock 350 rods or do I need to get different rods?

[cableguy0]

Looks like a good choice. I personally would ditch the edelbrock for a holley but theres no reason you cant run the edelbrock for now.You will need about 2400 stall converter as well. Stock rods arent a problem. I would however have the rotating assembly balanced. This combo is going to want to turn at least 6k rpm.

[Ticker]

Assuming that the math all works out for the heads and the right CR, I have a few thoughts.

Carb size and intake are right on; the Edelbrock carb isn't as tuneable as a Holley, but it'll work.

Hypereutectic pistons are the right choice.

I'm not a major fan of Edelbrock heads - especially the Performer series. They have less flow than a stock set of GMPP Vortecs. I would look to a set of GMPP Vortecs on the low end, Brodix/RHS/Edelbrock E-Street in the middle and if you really want a beast and have as much cash as you noted for heads a set of AFR 180 Streets at the top end.

I'll have to think about the cam - do you know what your CR will be?

Just about any piston will fit on the stock rods. Get a price on what you're paying to resize the stock rods with new bolts...you may find a set of aftermarket SCAT rods are about the same price or cheaper.

Also consider what you're paying for grinding the crank - a new 383 crank sells for around $250 or less.

More information on what you have, the machine work that's being considered and the costs would be a big help with planning this thing out. You're kinda giving us information in little bits and getting narrow answers...and that lack of an overall picture can lead to bad individual answers as everything really needs to match well to make good power.