Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get some ideas on how to build a 350 that looks and sounds like a 302 with the "140" (?) off road cam. The previous owner made a half hearted attempt at cloning my #'s matching base model coupe into a Z/28 :mad: . Since the fenders are spoiled with the emblem holes :( and the car having just been painted, I figured I'd mothball the origional drive train and build a spare 350 I had laying around and put the muncie I was saving for my Chevelle in place of the Saginaw. I think I have the right heads for a 302 and locating a "472" intake and correct carb shouldn't be a problem. I can get the parts to make the cowl inducted hood functional. The only thing I would change would be to keep the headers. My biggest Q's are the ignition and cam. I want the 302 radical cam sound even though I'll never need the performance it would give me. (Everything would have to hook up on 245-60 drag radials and a 3.55 gear.) Will a stock GM ignition keep everything lit up okay through about 6500 RPM? Sorry I ran on so long, but the searches didn't really give me what I was looking for. BTW, I don't plan on selling this car. From what I gathered here, cloning is generally accepted as long as there is no attempt to deceive a buyer. Right?

Thanks - Matt

I too have somewhat of a clone. My 69 even has an automatic with air conditioning ! Somebody, before me installed the emblems etc. I personaly would not even try to make a perfect clone. I have installed many non-original parts that IMHO, are much better than a Z28 or any other original 69.

My ignition is basically a stock points setup with the exception of an Accel Supercoil and I can run her up to 6800 with no problem (I think it will turn even more RPMs, I'm just a scaredy cat). Who knows, maybe I'm just lucky. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

Marty

Matt the stock distributor will work. Use Blue Streak point set and have a good ditributor man set it up for you. I've run several 302 beyond 8,000 with the GM distributor, once the points start to go it won't go up there any longer, fresh set of points and you're good again.

I don't think you are going to like the 140 cam with 3.55 gears, especially if you have an M22 or M21 close ratio trans. I'd recomend at least 4.11 gears, probably can get by with 3.73 and an M20 wide ratio. You'll also want to run a high compression piston with the 140 cam, Chevrolet says minimum of 12:1. I love the 140 cam with a 302, but I'm not sure a 350 will be a good match due to the longer stroke and lower rev limit, not without spending a LOT of cash on the bottom end and valvetrain. I've destroyed my share of 350s trying to turn them like 302s. I guess what I'm trying to say is you can make it sound like a 302 with the service package cam and look like one, but you won't be able to take it to 8,000 or 8,500 rpm on a regular basis like a 302. I'd look for a more current grind cam and keep the rpm to 7,000 and be happy with it. A 350 will run great, just need to decide if you're looking for usable performance or just the sound.

If you're shifting a 302 at 6,800 you're missing out on half the fun! (considering you got to leave the line at 4,500 -5,000 with the little motor to make it run).

Or roll the little bugger outta the hole kinda easy and once she's above 3500rpm, nail her AND hang on while she goes over her torque peak!!!

Keep holding her down until you get scared and then shift!!

Right, SY1??

pdq67

install a crane #110921 cam in that 350 youll get the sound and performance your looking for (CHECK ALL CLEARANCES)
http://dab7.cranecams.com/SpecCard/DisplayCatalogCard.asp?PN=110921&B1=Display+Card