Hi!

I have a '73 Camaro LT w/ 350 2bbl AT, PS, PB. The AC is removed. Dual exhaust.

The ignition is modified to be pointless, no vacuum advance, high output coil.

I plan headers, manifold, and carb, and ask for recommendations.

It is already very low, and bottoms out easily, so it is important that the headers not reduce the ground clearance. I am in California, '73 cars no longer require smog check, so I don't need the air injection fittings. I see headers advertised for around $100, can I expect reasonable quality for this price?

Use is strictly street, I'm looking for good response and low end power. So a dual plane manifold seems appropriate. I see Edelbrock 2102 for around $100. I like the idea of the Quadrajet, with the little primaries for good response and the big secondaries for power when you want it. But should not the manifold be matched with the carb? Which dual plane manifold works well with a Q-jet? Or should I just go with a Holly? If so, which manifold would be good?

I'm on a budget and don't mind getting used parts. I have seen some on ebay.com, or does anyone have a carb / manifold combo they wish to sell?

Thanks for any advice, help, etc.

You will get many opinions on this, here is mine... Get the "Flow Tech" tri-y's (afterburners) they should help your low end torque big time. You might want to find some shortie (3/4) headers though if you already scraping the ground.

For an intake a factory chevrolet alum hi-rise and a small spred-bore vac sec carb. would complement your combination very well. I have always prefered Holleys but the others are good as well! The EDL-2101 intake as you suggested would be good as well.



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...Dennis
Topless'69 (http://home1.gte.net/ddunio/topless69)
rsss.fun@gte.net

[This message has been edited by DjD (edited 04-22-2000).]

Here's my advice:

Use the aluminum Edelbrock Performer 2101 manifold. It makes great power from Idle to 3500 RPM or so. Throw away that Quadrajet... It's too old. Go with an Edelbrock Q-Jet - it is a brand-new version of the old Quadrajets. They don't require constant tuning. Also, it has small primaries and large secondaries - which match the Performer manifold (Quadrajet-style).

I have this setup on my 69 Camaro that just got a new GM Goodwrench 350. You can't beat the reliability and performance of this setup.

dbrinton

I was thinking of picking up the GM GOODWRENCH 350...how do you like it ?
Is that the engine advertised for $1295 ???

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks
John69ss

The GM Goodwrench engine is great. According to Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, the engine puts out 249 HP @ 5,000 and 304 Lbs/Ft Torque @3,500. Add on the Performer manifold and Edelbrock Q-Jet, they say it should easily make 270 HP. Also, one benefit is that it has 8.50 to 1 compression - you can run 85 octane if you want (with today's gas prices, its hard not to when its a daily driver).

The only thing I don't like is that it comes painted black - chevy orange is the way to go, it won't heat up as quickly.

Also, the engine comes with a factory 36 month/50,000 mile guarantee. If anything goes wrong, anywhere in the US, simply call up the nearest Chevrolet dealership and they'll come pick it up and fix it. After being burned on my last engine by some moron, I can use the comfort of a GUARANTEE by GM - not some back-woods shop.

Here are the exact specs:
350 LM1
Horsepower: 249 @ 5,000 RPM
Torque: 304 @ 3,500 RPM
Compression Ratio: 8.50 to 1
Block: 4-bolt, 2-piece rear seal, 4.000" stroke
Heads: Cast Iron, 72cc
Valves: 1.940"/1.600"
Camshaft Lift: 0.390"/0.410" Hydraulic
Duration @ 0.050": 195/202
Intake: You have to purchase

Hope this helps

TO the post above...those specifications are incorrect.

The GM Goodwrench may be advertised at 8.5:1 compression, but Chevy High Performance Magazine did a compression ratio calculation and came up with 7.8:1

here are the specs

7.8:1 compression
heads are 76cc - 1.94 intake / 1.50 exhaust
the stroke on a 350 is 3.48 inches NOT 4.00
most of the other above specs are pretty much correct

I have this engine in my 69 camaro.
It is a very durable power plant on a budjet

I currently have 60,000 miles on mine (bought in 1995) Since then I have slid in a Comp Cams Dual Energy cam, L31 Vortec heads

my 1/4 mile E.T went from a

14.70 at 93mph (completely stock out of the crate)

TO A

13.50 at 105mph ( with the cam replacement and the L31 Vortec heads.

With the right tires and a Posi my car will easily dip into the 12's (105 mph is in the 12's with good traction)

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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

Oops... sorry to give out bogus info. It's the information I got off of the Scoggins-Dickey Parts Center website. http://www.sdpc2000.com/

69CamaroRS/SS: Could you send me more information about your setup? 14.70 1/4 mile ET is no slouch for a dead stock 350. What rear-gear ratio, tranny et-cetera do you have? How much were the heads?

Thanks,

Daniel

Daniel,

Ok here are the parts and specs
CHASSIS etc........

69 camaro

TH-350
Stock Torque converter

3.55 (non Posi)

tires- 225/60/15

ENGINE
Stock out of the crate Goodwrench 350

Edelbrock Performer 2101 intake

Quadrajet Carburetor (750 cfm)

Flowtech 1 5/8 inch primary Full length
headers with 3inch collectors

2 1/2" with 2 chamber Flowmasters with 2 1/4 inch tail pipes out the back.

That Combo gave me a 14.70 at 93MPH at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma California.


Believe me! I was suprised when I saw my time slip.

I got great Gas mileage also, around 17 to 20 MPG on the highway (with my foot out of it), which was rare.

Next, about 20,000 miles later I felt the need for more power. Out came the stock cam and in went a Dual Energy Comp Cam. A higher 2500 stall Torque converter and a 650 Holley Spread Bore Double Pumper.

My 1/4 mile E.T went to a best of a 14.15 at 97 MPH

Just recently in Janurary 2000 at about 60,000 miles I put on the L31 Vortec Heads with a steel shim head gasket (to raise compression) and a new Edelbrock performer intake, which was need for the vortec heads

With everything the same, Chassis, Coverter, Carb, Rear Gear, etc.....

13.50 at 105MPH (no POSI = no traction)




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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

Oops.... I forgot

The price of the heads were around $450 a pair


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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

hey 69camarirs/ss,

did you get the re drilled ones or the stock Vortec heads? what manifold did you use if you didn't get the redrilled heads. also i'm sure that you needed to get new valve covers and rockers. i know that he rockers are around $50 for the whole set, but i have seen the for @ $400 plus shipping. now the cost you gave, is that for the heads and the rockers, or just the heads plus shipping? then there is the question on the valve covers. i am currrently hoarding parts for such a conversion on my 350 in my truck. i have the same crate motor, bought in 96, and i am planning to do a power upgrade. i snaged a pair of vavle covers from a friend who took them off his 91 caprice for chrome ones, and i have the slotted rockers from a 92 camaro. eventually i will have enough to purchase the heads(hopefully when my tax return arrives), but i have been kicking around the idea because of the fact that i will probably have to buy a new intake.(another $200) if you did buy the redrilled heads, how are they holding up? are they worth it, and how was the fit with the older intake manifolds?

thanks, Jesse :eek

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The heads I purchased were the standard L31 heads (they weren't drilled for the older intake manifolds. I think that only a dedicated intake should be used, because vortec heads use a taller intake port, the old style intakes wont seal correctly. I used a Edelbrock performer RPM 7116 was the part # I think?.
The intake cost me $175
The rockers I had from the stock Goodwrench 350( which were the guided style)stamped steel 1.5 ratio (stock).


The heads are holding up just fine.

Just today I took it for a long drive, I filled my gas tank to the top, drove 133 miles and it only took 7.5 gallons to fill it to the top. THATS 17 MPG!!!!
I was very suprised, I drove 65 mph (3000 rpm) and a little stop and go traffic. I could probably get 18 to 19 if It was strictly freeway driving. thats with a pretty stout camshaft.


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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

Hey Jesses,

the valve covers I used were the same ones used on the 330 horse crate engine

they are chrome with a red chevrolet bow tie
with a two holes and a oil filler hole

any centerbolt valve covers will work fine, I just wanted the durability of the GM valve covers, plus I wanted the chrome.

Hey by the way I use to live in Ewa Beach on Oahu.

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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

hey 69camarors/ss,

that is one hell of a drive way huh? you must miss the morning traffic from there.

any way what are the specs on the cam you are running. i am eyeing up the Comp Cams 268H form y truck. that with a performer manifold, and 600 vac sec Holley, should be fine for the street, my bud in LV says. but i am hung up on the Vortec heads. like you said, the center bolt covers will work. the ones i got from my friends caprice were black, but i plan to HOT COAT them with the "almost Chrome" powder. i heard that he rockers need to have the alignning notch on them to work? is this what you are running? or did you go the roller rocker route.

Later, Jesse http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

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Ok Jesse,

I am running a Comp Cams Dual Energy 275/277
Im pretty sure this cam has the same intake lift and duration as the 268H that you mentioned, but it has more exhaust lift and duration.

here are the specs.

INTAKE
Duration at .50
219 degrees
Lift
.462

EXHAUST
Duration at .50
229 degrees
Lift
.482

110 degree LSA


The rocker arms im using are the guided rocker arms that came stock on my Goodwrench 350, they are stamped steel non roller.

Soon I will be changing the rockers to narrow body full roller 1.6 ratio to bump up my lift .30, which should give me another 10 to 15 horsepower.

With the vortec heads you must use a guided(self aligning) rocker arm unless you machine the heads to accept guide plates and screw in studs.


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1969 Camaro RS/SS
350 Goodwrench Vortec Heads

thanks for the information, i will keep that in mind when i finally get the all important tax return.

later, Jesse http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

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