Help me make some chevy power!

All great replys, thanks. I think i would rather not use 305 heads as getting them, and having them overhauled would not be cost effective for me. So what cam would you guys recommend for vortecs and 9.5-1 compression flat tops? Bearing in mind i want a reasonable bottom end to pull well.

Steve.

 

You may wish to recheck that compression calculation. Most 64cc head manufacturers claim around 10.2 compression with flat top pistons. Good luck

 

Thanks shifty, should be ordering parts next week so i'll check that out.

 

Too many differences in opinions on this question that's for damn sure ! Got a Jeg's catalog or know where to get on line ? Vortec heads are great lower HP street heads with just light port matching and a small amount of pocket work . They already have hardened seats . I would buy a set of one piece stainless valves since they are cheap now . I like the KB Hyper. pistons because they will handle a little Nitrous if you decide to add a little dope plus if you don't spray anything over a 150 shot you don't need to worry about the extra ring gap needed for higher Nitrous use . Edelbrock "AIR-GAP" intakes are a great street intake ! I would use a Holley HP series 650 DP because it has the best bang for the buck but the fall back is they have no choke horn so you would need a block heater where you are at . Msd ignition , timing retard box if you do like the Nitrous idea since you need to retard your timing 2 degrees per 50HP as a starting point . You will have well into a 400 HP range without a ****load of money in it . Any cam over the suggested 260H will need a stall ! A low-end to mid power cam for that much weight is a must ! Torque moves weight , NOT HORSEPOWER ! Lot of good advice I read , and alot of dip****s too , just my two cents for what it's worth but my last pump gas 434 SBC put out 617 at 6400 RPM and ran 10's in a 3200 lb. 68 Camaro all day long in street trim . My only screw up was I grouted the block for extra strength and the street driving didn't like it at the lights . Other than that , super unleaded with a dash of VP C12 added and never had Nitrous on the car ! I've built more engines than most people change underwear in a year ! LOL

 

Hi CamaroKid, thanks for your reply. I was looking at ordering every thing from summit in one order and liked the look of their rebuild kits which come with these speed pro hypers http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=STL-H345NP30
Would these be a good piston, they should put compression at 9.5-1 with 64cc heads. Would they handle occasional nitrous if i ever felt the need!?
I'm quite confused at which cam to get as theres just soooo many! What would you suggest? Heres some i've been cosidering:

VOODOO 60102; http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=STL-H345NP30
COMP 268H; http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA-12-210-2&autoview=sku
COMP 4X4; http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA-12-239-3&autoview=sku

And also been looking at the comp extreme cams but just aren't sure which would suit my needs. I don't mind stepping up the stall to a saturday night special 2000rpm stall. Would the edelbrock rpm air gap rob any low down grunt or would normal performer suit better?

That 68 camaro you had sounds awesome- i'd love to have a late 60s camaro one day but there mega money and mega rare over here Steve.

 

Here`s a proven recipe for a 350 Chevy :

Vortec heads, RPM Air-Gap Intake, 750 vac secondary Holley, SRP dished Hyp pistons, Comp Extreme 274X cam. You`ll have 9.5 compression with a nice lopey idle that`ll run on pump gas.

I had this combo in a S10 with 2200 stall and 3.89 gears. It would deliver the mail.

I`m like CamaroKid --- I`ve built more engines than I care to count. Not trying to sound smart ***, but there is plenty of dumb advice in this thread.

 

DonMan and me are on the same page here for you ! Those Vortec heads work well without alot of work . Cams are ground on different centerlines depending on how much spray you may want to use . Those pistons are fine . Just buy a descent set of one piece stainless valves like I said , have some mild port matching and bowl work done , I like the "Air Gap" intakes for lower HP engines as well such as this build . Nitrous likes a little tighter stall and less gear because it torques the car through the 1/8th or 1/4 instead of RPMing it through like some have suggested . The 274 is a bit choppy but I would need to research the centerline before I suggested it for Nitrous and I don't have the specs right here but no more than you would probably decide to spray it should work well enough to get you out there with some punch . Just don't ever cam and over carb. an engine which is the biggest mistakes I see most of the guys do that don't know how to put combinations together for a specific application . I sit the people down in front of me wanting an engine built and we go over it's intended usage time and time again until we usually come to a medium that all can live with . High Compression , Big cams ,HIGH CFM flowing heads , and Big Carbs aint user friendly on the streets ! Stay reasonable and stay away from the "Village Idiots" that could care less about watching you ****ter an engine in front of them and thier beer drinking buddies !

 

Back again! Finally got my engine to the machine shop on Thursday and he was amazed how worn the bores were! He phoned me this evening and said has to bore them to +40thou as 30 wasn't enough. He hasn't taken them right out to 40 yet as he wants my pistons to do that. He measured my crank and it is standard size and he thinks it will be fine with a polish but will let me know for definate on Monday.
I'm hoping to be placing my order on Tuesday or Wednesday so really need to decide on which engine kit and which cam to use. For engine kit i was gonna use this:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku

For a cam i was thinking about a Lunati Voodoo as i read loads of good stuff about them, and don't make as much valvetrain noise as the xtreme energy cams. Which cam do you think would be more suitable:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...K&autoview=sku
or
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...K&autoview=sku

I would like the bigger cam as that would make more power but i don't want it to bog off the line, what do you guys think? I don't mind running a 2000-2500rpm stall. And i also don't mind modifying the Vortecs with springs to achieve more clearance.

Just to remind you, This is for my 60' Apache panel running a 3.23-1 posi axle and 27" tyres.
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Heres some more about those cams i mentioned.

Lunati 60102LK - Lunati Voodoo Hydraulic Camshafts Details

Mid-level performance street cam with excellent drivability. Exceptional replacement for ''muscle car type cams'' with automatic transmissions. Works well with stock type exhaust manifolds and dual plane intake with mild 4 bbl carb. This is an AWESOME 4x4 and Performance Marine cam where ''DRY'' exhaust is used. Improved valve springs and roller rockers are recommended. Excellent in oval port engines.
Advertised Duration : 262°/268°
Duration @ .050 IN/EX : 219°/227°
Gross Valve lift IN/EX .468''/.489''
LSA and ICL 112/108
RPM Range: 1400-5800


Lunati 60103 - Lunati Voodoo Hydraulic Camshafts Details

The most awesome ''268'' cam ever produced! Out-powers all others! This high performance street cam likes 2400 RPM stall, 700 cfm carb, dual plane intake and headers. Makes un-equaled power to 62200 RPM with proper valve springs. If you're looking for a very strong cam with great street manners for you ''crate motor'', this is it! EFI motors need custom chips / tuning.
Advertised Duration : 268° /276°
Duration @ .050 IN/EX : 227° /233°
Gross Valve lift IN/EX .489''/.504''
LSA and ICL 110/106
RPM Range: 1800-6200

All help much appreciated, Steve.
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