Doing all o this work to the intake side is great, but IMO headers and full 3" exhaust need to be done first.

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1992 Camaro RS LO3/700R4
Brand New 3" Exhaust I-Pipe For Sale
Slightly Used Flowmaster 80 Series Muffler With Tailpipes and Tips For Sale
Brand New ZZ4 Roller Cam For Sale

 

Don't skimp on your heads. Those vortecs can push 300rwhp with good tuning, the right cam/intake and a 350 (I imagine a little less witha 305..). Not only that but they get good mileage too. I think you'll pick up more than 20hp with the vortecs.... Those stock 305 heads are probably good for a little over 300 fly wheel with some porting, but they don't really have much potential beyond that... The 350 heads have more potential but would bump your compression too low for your liking. You can also take a look at aluminum l98's. They came on 350's but bumped the compression up so they work nice with a 305 too. I've seen them for as low as 400-500 on the net for a set assembled used. These heads have a lot more potential than the ones you have although they are the same basic design I do believe. Plus you have more selection in intake manifolds... although those vortecs are some really good heads for the money...

 

No SittingBull you didnt run me off I just have been out of pocket for a while, you have been the main source to all my questions and I greatly appreciate that! I do agree that I need to learn more about engines but Im always going or doing something, but Im sure ill learn surely but steady. Im guessing ill stay away from the porting because it seems Im not going to be able to do it and my dad says its not going to be easy and I think he really doesnt want to mess with it, plus I want to get the max HP out of my engine. But about the heads and what to get is still very confussing. About the 350 heads and how they have low compression or something like that, does this mean I dont need to get the vortech heads or not. I want to get a set of heads that will go with my car very well w/o any promblems. Plus I dont wanna pay a million dollars for them either. The first thing I plan on doing is getiing my cam and exhaust done. Then Ill try to start saving for the heads. The only thing im worried about is the labor on getting the cam put in! Im hoping it's not as much as the heads labor or Im going to be screwed. Please tell that its not going to be exspennsive to get it installed. Any other help would be aprec.

Thanks adam

 

Get the heads and cam done at the same time and it will save u a little money in labour. Lower compression = less HP basically. The vortecs are fine on a 305/350. The vortecs have a smaller combustion chamber which increases compression (but still larger valves/intake/exhuast). Vortecs are worth the dough. Sounds like you're shooting for about 300rwhp and thats about what you should be able to pull down with good tuning and other decent component selection.

 

What is the Difference b/t 300rwhp and 300Hp at the fly wheel or is there any diff?

 

rwhp is the power that is actually getting to the ground you lose power to friction as the engine turns the tranny adn rear end. Oh yeah people will tell you to get a 350 TELL THEM TO **** OFF BECAUSE THE 350 IS NOT the best engine ever made. The best engine ever made is one that you do up yourself. I have the exact same engine and tranny in my 85 z that you do and I am gunna try to drop a 454, 502, or a 500 caddi engine in my car. So I say you are doing the right thing building up the 305 unless you want insane power and able to put the money in to a big block.

Did that make sense?

 

Adam,

Sit down and work out your budget. When that is done, post it here for us to look over. Some things are better done first, or in combination with other mods, to make the most of your time and money.

We'll steer you straight

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1986 Camaro Sport Coupe, Flame Red Metallic with Black accents, Red interior and T-tops
LG4 305 V8, Hooker Shorty headers, 3" intermediate pipe into Walker Quiet Flow dual exhaust, Edelbrock Performer intake, Edelbrock Performer 1406 4bbl, K&N filter inside a 305 H.O. dual snorkel aircleaner, Crane vacuum advance kit, Proform 50,000 volt HEI coil, MSD distributor cap, rotor and 8.5 mm Super Conductor wires, TH700R4 transmission with Derale 12,000 lb. gvw cooler
Air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power brakes, power steering, tilt wheel, variable wiper, power hatch, rear defrost, "rare" upper hatch third brake light
Kenwood AM/FM cassette deck, Pioneer 6x4 component front speakers, Rockford Fosgate 6x9 Punch rear speakers
Z-28 front and rear sway bars, styled aluminum slots and Goodyear 225x60R15 Eagle HP tires rated for 200 km/h
247 horsepower and 342 foot pounds of torque gross (cam measured seat to seat) at the flywheel.
_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _
Yea verily, and he did smite the smog heathens from his small block Chevy, even from the air pump to the converter ...
Todd 1:1

 

This isnt really any exact budget but his is how I plan on doing things!!!
1.Most likely Vortec Heads (1,500-2,000)
2.Cam Mostlikely Comp XE 256
3.Full Exuhast Headers, 3in pipe, maybe a new Cat.
4.Vortec Intake manifold if I go with the Vortec heads
5.100 Shot of juice

This is still very rough sorry but still working on prices. I am going to recive $500 or so from an insurance company because or a car wreck, and I get to keep it. So this is were the mods begin what should I buy first with this money. I was thinking maybe a cam and headers but I dont know if this is going to be enough.

Any help aprreciated

 

Im still not able to find the cam for my car, well I probally have its just I dont know which one to get. I cant find that actually says XE256, or 266 Powermax I find them but all it says is there lift and durations not the actual name of the cam, so this leaves me in the dark. Im afraid im going to order the wrong one so I would aprec. if you could show me the right one.
Thanks

 

OK, the headers come first. On the 305 they are worth 30 hp when done with 3 inch exhaust, etc. Hooker or Hedman. I'm not sure how far you can make the $500 stretch but that is where it must go. If nothing else, get them hooked into your stock exhaust and work on what's left as you get more money.

Second, like I said before, those Vortec heads and manifold are NOT going to cost anywhere near $1500, regardless of what the Chevy parts guy told you.

Vortec heads=$450
Vortec intake=$175
Comp Cams XE256 and lifters=$150
________________________________
Total=$775 plus another $100 for odds and ends like gaskets, etc.

It is best to do the heads, intake manifold and cam at the same time because those parts will all come apart and go together as a unit. You don't want to cover the same ground twice by installing the heads and intake, only to have to take off the intake in order to do the cam later. Right?

There's the game plan.

 

Regardless who you order from, those names are correct. Summit or Jegs or whoever will know what you are looking for. Tell them the year of 305 you have and they will get you the right kit. Don't worry, just get them on the phone with their 1-800 number. You just don't want the roller style because you have a regular old hydraulic setup.

Doesn't Midland have a speed shop somewhere in town? If they stock any cams at all, they will likely have the XE256.

 

This is my Budget very detailed for the most part!!! I found these prices on GMGoodwrench.com and the dealer is "Friendly Chevrolet". I have decided I am going to order everything and have it sent to me, then after I have everything I will get it installed. So here it is.

1.Item #12558060 (Cast Iron Vortec Cylinder Head Assembly)= $224.50
2.Item #12496822 (Eliminator Vortec design Manifold) = $257.95 or Item #12496820 (Vortec design Aluminum Manifold) = $228.35 each requires gasket ($15.96) plus attachment Bolts (?).
I havent decided which intake manifold to get, which one would be best?
3.XE 256 COMP CAM = ($150.00 - +)
Total=
1.$648.41 (not includ. s/h and att. bolts) rounded out to 700.00 for all of that.
2.$616.81 ( not includ. s/h and att. Bolts) rounded out to 670.00 for all of that.

So basically depending on which intake manifold I use it will come near ($670-$700) total. How does this look any suggestions?

Thanks adam

p.s still working on euxhuast budget

 

You are forgetting that you need TWO cylinder heads, so it is more like $450 there. I can't recommend an intake so I'd just get the less expensive one. check out what Edelbrock and Weiand make as well. One might be cheaper.

Either cam will do, they are almost identical. You must get new lifters, too.

The exhaust is first though.

[This message has been edited by Sitting Bull (edited June 19, 2002).]

 

also make sure that those aren't "bare" head castings, meaning, no valves, no spring, no nothing, i could be wrong but $225, seems very cheap for a complete cylinder head

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Pics of the Firebird


84' Firebird, 305ci lg4, 700R4, 288/292 duration .450/.460 lift,Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley 600cfm 4 barrel, K&N, Pacesetter Headers, 3' exhuast, dual tips directly behind the rear wheels, no cat,Motive 3.73's and Auburn Posi
1/4mile 15.17sec @ 92.5mph

 

Yeah sorry about that, I wasnt thinking I had forgotten to times it by two. The cylinder heads come completly assembeled with everything. The pricing just depends on which dealer you order them from. SittingBull how would I put on an Eldebrock Intake manifold with my Vortec heads? I thought you couldnt do that. And yes I still plan on doing my euhxas first just going to get everything first. About the 3 in euxhast how and where can I find this 3 inch. intermed. pipe. If i wanted some more sound coudlnt I get a full cat-back instead of that pipe, or would I still need it plus the cat-back. I kinda want my car a little louder than it is.

Adam