i'm coverting over to a carb this winter, and I picked the intake...i want the performer RPM intake...i've been looking at heads and cams, and I can't really make sense about the specs of them...can you guys tell me good combos of heads and cams...i was looking at the perfomer rpm heads, they look appealing, but then again, what do i know...can you big HP guys help me out...its going on a 1990 350, its gonna be a street car, mostly daily driver, i'm guessing around 350 HP would probably me enuf for me...maybe a bit more..who knows...

 

You obviously figured out who Edelbrock is. Check out their crate engines. If you want 350hp, use the same parts they used for their 350hp crate engines. If you want 425+, use the parts they used for their 425+hp engines. The E-Tec 170cc and 200cc heads are better than the Performer and Performer RPM heads. Newer technology and much larger ports with the 200cc heads. An RPM air Gap Intake to match the Vortec bolt patern of the E-Tec heads is part # 7516. Get the GM Vortec Fastburn intake gasket to match the ports. use the Hyd. Roller camshaft that edelbrock also uses(Which is a pretty nice/agrressive design), etc,etc.

More power will always cost more money and you could always go with a more wild package with larger AFR, Dart, or Pro Topline heads, a single plane intake, a bigger hyd. roller camshaft, etc. Goodluck!.

 

ok how about this......edelbrock e tec heads....they have 2 choices, the 170 that gives about a 9 to 1 compression or the 200's which give you about a 10 to 1 compression, which one would be better for a street car??...then the performer rpm intake, with say a holley 670 carb....i have no idea about a cam tho...

 

The E-tec heads are very nice.....

For cams try looking at the Comp Cams Xtreme Energy line. They use a lot of new fast ramp technology to build low end torque.

- Justin

 

ok...if and when i get my heads...i'll prolly get etec heads, 670 street avenger carb, rpm airgap intake, then a cam to match....i'm sure that'll make some realy good HP....

 

i got another question....if i buy those etec heads from say some place like jegs for 550 bucks...that includes everything except rockers and gaskets right??? then i just need to buy a carb, intake, heads, gaskets, cam, distrubitor, and rockers..right?? how much do you guys think i can get for a TPI unit, computer, all sensors, wiring harness, stock distruboter with new parts, and aluminum vette heads???

 

stick it on ebay. u might wanna try to sell the heads seperate,but who knows.

btw,if u go w/ the Air-gap intake,u better be putting on that aftermarket hood u have in ur sig. b/c that intake ISNT going to clear that hood.

 

yes my hood is going on this winter along with all the engine parts....it will clear an SS hood won't it???

 

E-tec heads and an Air Gap RPM+Carb will fit under a stock hood. Using a 2 or 3" drop base and a 3" K&N+K&N Extreme lid will also fit with roughly 1" clearance. I wish I knew what drop base I have because I'd reccomend it to everyone. It's a big drop, very rounded inside and even fits with a big HEI cap. Put it this way. My 1" Nitrous plate even fits but it requires 2 hands to get the hood to shut.

Goodluck!

A 750 or larger carb will do nicely. Larger wouldn't hurt anything, especially with a dual plane intake.

Oh yeah. Consulting with a more experienced engine builder and you can make a lot more power for the same cash by not using the E-Tec heads or the Air gap. Going with larger heads, larger carb, more compression, and a Vic Jr Intake gives even more hood clearance and more top end but again that's just my 2 cents since you probably like hearing different opinions.

 

okay thats what i need....different opinions...i have no idea which heads match with which intake to make good power..i'm 17 years old, i haven't been around as long as you guys...all i know is that i want a 350-400 hp motor that is very driveable and isnt' gonna break down on me all the time..i would love some combos, and some links to some heads and intake that would be great too..thanks guys...

 

the combination u have setup right now is a GREAT street application. its close to whats in my sig. and it runs pretty good (even for a 2.73 rear). bad thing is,ur already speeding before halfway into 2nd...wreckless driving after 3rd lol.

once u go with an intake such as a victor jr. ull be making power way up in teh powerband for a street car and u wont like driving it at all...unless its at the track.

the e-tec heads are just like vortec heads that i have,except they are aluminum.

i dont have a drop base,im just using a cheap *** 1" filter that i found on my shelf in the garage,not even a K&N in it lol. theres about 1/4" or so clearance to the hood.

good luck man,and converting to carb is the best thing u can do to get cheap/easier HP !

 

rice killer you got any pics and numbers??? i still wanna see what autoroc posts

 

This is a good head/intake package that can save you some headaches and cash vs. E-Tec heads.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...2172&pid=89540

This cam should work well but it would be more streetable with a higher stalling torque converter.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...686&pid=123556


We're missing some information but buying a crate engine is always the best bet for what you're looking for. It'll save down-time, comes with a warranty, etc etc. A set budget is nice to know before selecting parts, and none of us know each others talent as far as wrenching goes so reccomending all of this stuff is kind of pointless still but fun none the less. That's my final combo. A mean enough camshaft(like the Edelbrock Roller or even more aggressive) with an Air Gap intake, 350 cubic inch with those specially prepped(bigger springed) Vortec heads can make well over 400hp. It's been done many times. It will be cheaper than any of the E-tec or other aluminum heads.

Lets break it down.

$940 for Upgraded Roller Vortec cylinder heads #SD8060RA, head gaskets, head bolts, stamped steel rocker arms, Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap intake manifold, intake gaskets and 12 point intake bolts.

$210 for the cam itself
$90 for some good new pushrods(chromoly steel)

E-Tec heads alone will be $1000+ and then shipping and they don't outflow Vortecs by that much. My E-Tec 200's flowed 35cfm less than Edelbrock advertised. I dumped money into portwork, a better valvejob, bigger springs, titanium retainers and in all honesty I should have just picked a better head from the start to match the combination and saved money.

You'll like this combo. Unfortunately it will surpass your 350hp goal. Minimum 750cfm carb.

Sidebar: Money saved from not going with an expensive cylinder head can fund a more suitable torque converter from Mid-West, Neal, Precision Industries or whoever. BONUS!

 

Do it....Do it...

(For the Starsky and Hutch fans)

 

so get that package...a new distributor and a 750cfm carb and a few other odds and ends and I'm set right??