Best Mods For a New 350

[wilpetty]

As some of you know, my brother is bringing me a 350. Completely rebuilt by GM and it has a new edelbrock intake and M/T valve covers. I want to put it in an old school muscle car. Give me a list of some respectable mods to start out with. Lets put a 1000 dollar limit on it just to stay reasonable. I want it to have balls

 

[crashandburn]

One word..... Heads.

With a good set of heads, or with some head work, you can increase or decrease compression, and with port work and maybe bigger valves, you can significantly improve air flow characteristics. That means power. If there is an engine building shop local, and especially if the guy is old school, he can find you lots of power for a few hundred bucks. And parts for a Chevy 350 are stupid cheap. You can get a cam to match that new airflow for like 100 bucks, not even kidding.

 

[paratrooper307]

Vortec heads would be about the most cost-effective enhancement. They will raise the compression ratio and significantly improve flow characteristics. They are plentiful and cheap used, and if you insist on new a set runs about 600-700 from places like Jegs or Summit. Look for the preferred 062 casting. You will need a compatible intake manifold however.

Roller rockers can reduce friction and free up some power. Don't forget the importance of a good exhaust/headers and a properly tuned carburetor and timing.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Cam
Heads

 

[Bowtie85]

Only downside to vortec's is they cant handle much lift in stock form, but with a lil work they seem to do alright.

We built a set for my 383, used comp beehive springs and screw in studs. If I did/do it again ill just buy a set already machined/set up for higher lift cam.

 

[paratrooper307]

Only downside to vortec's is they cant handle much lift in stock form, but with a lil work they seem to do alright.

We built a set for my 383, used comp beehive springs and screw in studs. If I did/do it again ill just buy a set already machined/set up for higher lift cam.

That is true, I wasn't too worried about it since I use a comp 254H 4x4 cam that doesn't have a particularly radical profile and is biased toward low end torque and lower RPM. Getting the guides machined for more lift wouldn't be too pricey I would think.