After getting my head out of the clouds about building a monster motor I decided to get 074 aluminum L88/L89 heads for my resto. I found a pair on ebay that are bare. What valves and springs would you reccommend and about how much should I spend? The block is a 454 stroked to 481 cid. For intake I already have a stock 3885069 2-hole Open Plenum aluminum manifold and holley dp.

My builder quoted me $460 for some "decent" budget valves and springs but I suspect he may be marking up some of the very same parts I can buy on my own. Although I dont mind supporting his business I am trying to maintain a budget.

For a cam my builder is suggesting:
Comp 11-242-3
Xtreme Energy XE268H Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft
Lift: .515''/.520''
Duration: 268°/280°
RPM Range: 1600-5800

Even though this is a resto not a racer I still wonder what sort of HP can I expect? Any help is appreciated TIA.

Tim, I have those heads. Cam's too small. 'Think' L88. It'll run better. Of course my L78 ran great too. I'm not familiar with that manifold. Two hole????
And I suggest comparison shopping at Summit.

Let the cam specs determine what springs and work from there.

I keep hearing that about the cam. And I dont mind spending 4 or 5 hundred on the valvetrain so long as I am getting what I paid for. As far as a cam what is a good brandname cam (model # please) that would compliment this build? I am leaning toward the CompCams brand however. Do I need to go roller?

Oh, My intake is the same as this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/66-67-68-Chevy-BB-396-427-alum-intake-3885069-Chevelle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34202QQihZ012Q QitemZ220186137058QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)but the center divider is untouched.

I keep hearing that about the cam. And I dont mind spending 4 or 5 hundred on the valvetrain so long as I am getting what I paid for. As far as a cam what is a good brandname cam (model # please) that would compliment this build? I am leaning toward the CompCams brand however. Do I need to go roller?

Oh, My intake is the same as this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/66-67-68-Chevy-BB-396-427-alum-intake-3885069-Chevelle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34202QQihZ012Q QitemZ220186137058QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)but the center divider is untouched.

Comp cams is good, same with Iskenderian. Roller will be a bit more expensive, but will give you a much wider power band and lower oil temps. If you can afford it, I would go with a roller any day.

You can get one of the full "K" kits from Comp Cams that comes with Cam, Springs, Lifters etc, saves quite a bit of money from buying them separate. That is what I did with my 489.

I was checking the CompCams website and this 11-600-8 (http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CC&Product_Code=TMPRBBC&Category_Code=Thumpr) Thumpr caught my interests again. I remember another TC member using this cam with a really nice build. Anyone using this cam? Ive heard some people trash it. But once a car reaches 38 years old perhaps its not all about big HP numbers.

This cam gives the sound of a lopy idle but is more streetable than a truly hot cam.