Last year I did the following mods to my SS clone to improve the quickness. Swapped the PG to 200R4, switched the gears from stock 2.77 to Eaton Posi 3.73. I definitely saw some improvements in quickness, now I want to add some horses.

I'm looking to do best bang for the buck and want to avoid a large snowball project if at all possible. From conversations I've had and some searches I think cam would be way to go. This is a street car, perhaps an annual trip to drag strip.
Any suggestions on what I could get? Other improvements I should do as well? I'm looking to just compliment what I've already done and add some much need horses.

Other info on my car: 68 SS clone, 350 Crate Engine, 650cfm Edlebrock Carb, Edlebrock intake (not sure of model), 18inch rear wheels.

Let me know if I'm missing any info.

Thanks for the help!

Sure, she will run like a "scalded-dog" if it's CR is up at 9.75, (to right at 10 to 1 like the old L-48 engines are).

Do whatever need's to be done to get her up there so that any number of 268/270/272 and even 274 hy-cams can be installed.

A stock Q-Jet or a tuned 3310-2 on a 300-36 and a cheap set of 1.625" dia., 4-tube, long headers will do FINE.

pdq67

PS., people don't like to hear this, but this is where the old 305HO, -601 and -416 heads come in handy to install on a +12 cc dished 4-notch, pistoned engine that has 76 cc smog heads on it and that is right at 8 to 1.

If your crate engine happens to be a true 9 to 1, then maybe 62 to 64 cc chambered heads and either .015" or .020" thick shim headgaskets will get you there?

RUN THE NUMBERS after cc'ing your chambers!!

a Chevy 350 crate engine could be a lotta things...
Can you get a lil more specific as far as your starting point?

its all pistons and heads. 100+ for the big HP ....headers, etc. 15 to 30 max n/os for the quick fix

A cam and some head work at a good comp ratio would be best.
What converter did you use with the trans swap?

Loose the carb!!! Get a holley on there!! Which 350 crate do you have?

Loose the carb!!! Get a holley on there!! Which 350 crate do you have?

I didn't want to say it first. Thanks sparky !
Sorry to all the Eddy fans out there.:D

Ok, I'm sure what other info you need regarding the engine. It's Crate sbc 350 w/ 350 hp hydraulic cam. What else do you need to know? I'm a bit of a novice. :)

Additionally, I have 2.5 inch exhaust with Flowmaster 40 series mufflers.

Finally, the converter I have is 2200 stall.

I guess what I'm looking for is what type of cam, heads, manifold, etc...to get.

Thanks.

Is it a newer style motor with vortes heads ? Center bolt valve covers ?

I 2nd the Q-Jet. A properly tuned Q-Jet will outperform ANY carb on the street.

Nos!!!!!!

pro charger f1 !!!!!!

That engine is only 9 to 1 isn't it??

So the old 350hp/350 -962 hy-cam is way under compressioned imho. It should really have 11 to 1 like stock if not mistaken.

Again imho, at 9 to 1, a good old Isky 264 Mega is a dandy!

pdq67

NOS is the fastest way and cheap/ HP.

NOS? http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j64/ace377stroker/vinfunny2.jpg
You guys are talking about Di Nitrogen Hydroxide right?

You've either got the 64cc center-bolt vortec heads or the 58cc aluminum heads. Either head would be hard to beat without throwing a lot of money at this project. Without getting carried away money-wise, that leaves changing the cam. Which, depending on how much you change it would involve changing your torque converter as well, effect power brakes, and decrease any gas mileage you currently get.

For the money, NOS is probably the best performance bolt-on for your current mill. Another option is a blow-through supercharger or typical 142 supercharger.

I'm hearing a lot of suggestions for NOS. Is this practical for a street car?

I've pretty much settled on cam. Any suggestions on a good cam? Perhaps a combo package?

Thanks!

Go with a 650 HP Street Holley, Edlelbrock AirGap manifold and buy the GM roller hot cam kit and your looking at about 420 horses if you have the vortecs or fast burns. You won't be disappointed. This will set you back about 1200 bucks or so.

If you're running a Vortec engine Look at "The Best Build"
http://www.superchevy.com/tech/0312sc_355_cid_short_block/index.html
Pretty decent bang for the buck,it's what I'm running basically.
http://image.superchevy.com/f/8859534/0312sc_dm15_10_z.jpg

If you're running a Vortec engine Look at "The Best Build"
http://www.superchevy.com/tech/0312sc_355_cid_short_block/index.html
Pretty decent bang for the buck,it's what I'm running basically.
http://image.superchevy.com/f/8859534/0312sc_dm15_10_z.jpgSo i see you have a few pony's hiding under the hood :thumbsup:. Nice job.

I want more but for now it works until my daughter gets out of the Pharmacy program in college.Thanks Skip

I've settled on adding a Comp Cam, Edelbrock heads and Edelbrock Performer RPM intake.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/60989/10002/-1

Thanks for the assistance.

If you want bang for the buck and an easy installion, consider a 100 - 125 hp nitrous shot. If you keep power low, back the timing up a bit and install a good fuel pump you can have a lot of fun and little risk. Lots of plate systems available and they will give you more torque than your tires will be able to handle.

I have had a nitrous system on my 427 for over 10 years and not had any issues in street use other than wearing out tires. I run a 200 shot over forged internals and have to mix race gas.

If you have any doubts, get a ride in a nitrous car, it works better than advertised!

Good luck,

Is this the 290hp GM 350 crate motor? If so, just changing the heads will produce the biggest bang for the buck short of N2O, and unlike N2O the power will be there all of the time.

Of course, you still haven't told us exactly which crate engine you have...

IMO the way to go for a street driven car is one of Edelbrocks packages. They have done all the research and if you can afford it you will save money in the long run over messing with old iron heads, picking a cam, etc. etc. I did that on an original motor and heads on a '69 but my '68 is getting aluminum heads. You can bump up your compression and still run pump gas, still have vacuum and you will be at 400+hp.

Thought the heads were a smoking deal until I read the las bullet:

*Assembled, Sold Individually

for $1400 I would look into the AFR 180 or something else, there are a lot of cheaper heads that are just as good or comparable for less money. I am no expert, but vortecs can be made to run good and go for $499+ a pair etc..unless you already had those.

SS

Please READ ME AGAIN!

The 350hp/350 cam need's 11 to 1 to run like it should and I would run the old 350hp/327 -151 cam instead and at 10 to 1! And I did as my DD for several years!!

pdq67

Sorry if I was vague on the engine description. I bought the car 2 years ago and I only have a verbal history on it. The guy told me it was a 350 block rebuilt 15K ago w/350HP hydraulic cam. That info could be wrong, it's just what the seller told me, which is what his seller told him.

I've never taken it to a dyno, so I don't know what power I'm generating now.

As noted, I am getting the following:
350-71014 Edelbrock Endurashine Performer RPM manifold
350-60909 Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Cylinder Heads 64cc
249-12-238-2 Comp Xtreme Energy Cam
(Adv. Dur 262/270;Lift .477/.480"; RPM 1300-5600)

Rockers, Timing Chain, etc...

I'm told this setup should have me running 9.5:1, maybe close to 10:1 and add 80-100 HP. We chose the Comp Cam because it was probably best suited for what I want (street driving) to match a 2200 convertor. I basically want something that's quick reaction.

We'll see how it works out. I'll keep ya posted.