Best way to wake up my 350 with 1500 bucks

[sweetk30]

the http://fitechefi.com/ systems are gaining in use and have not read any real bad yet . few guys here are playing with them in the injection section . go look at there efi .

and vortec heads are 96-end of 88-98-2000 body in pickup/suv and also 03ish van's had them . vans got ls starting in 04. vortec heads are the newer version of the old camel hump heads . bone stock limited on cam size for stock springs. and as said take different intake to bolt on and seal up .

 

[scpaul]

Years ago everybody worshiped Holleys. They were good carbs once you learned how to deal with them. In certain classes we were required to run the same brand of carb others would allow some carb mods. The one thing that alot of guys couldn't understand was that if they ran too much fuel pressure that you would force fuel through the needle and seat and cause flooding and usually other problems.

Don't sell any of the old carbs short. The Rodchesters, Carters, and Motorcraft (looked alot like a Holley) and there was another one that could made to run. I can't think of the brand. Find body that actually knows the carb that you have.They can be made to run.It just needed to be close to the right CFM for the engine and mods that it's going on.

I know that they have changed over the years, so what I'd do would be to try to find an old racer, circle track or drag strip, or maybe an old retired mechanic that knows it. I guess that you could find information on tuning your carb, but it usually takes a while to learn, and each one has it's own strong and weak points.

Good luck, Paul

 

[76k5blazerr]

Years ago everybody worshiped Holleys. They were good carbs once you learned how to deal with them. In certain classes we were required to run the same brand of carb others would allow some carb mods. The one thing that alot of guys couldn't understand was that if they ran too much fuel pressure that you would force fuel through the needle and seat and cause flooding and usually other problems.

Don't sell any of the old carbs short. The Rodchesters, Carters, and Motorcraft (looked alot like a Holley) and there was another one that could made to run. I can't think of the brand. Find body that actually knows the carb that you have.They can be made to run.It just needed to be close to the right CFM for the engine and mods that it's going on.

I know that they have changed over the years, so what I'd do would be to try to find an old racer, circle track or drag strip, or maybe an old retired mechanic that knows it. I guess that you could find information on tuning your carb, but it usually takes a while to learn, and each one has it's own strong and weak points.

Good luck, Paul

I agree with you, only carb I have ever had success rebuilding or tuning is my edelbrock 1406 on the blazer, those carbs are dead simple and I like them for that, just don't know how well that specific carb would do on a 350 hp motor. Probably fine and that is an option to go on top of this motor. Other option is to have SMI rebuild my Q-Jet to spec of my new heads/cam. Holley is pretty much out of the question now.

 

[scpaul]

Edelbrock carb, that was what brand before? I believe that I'd get a kit, maybe 2 if they aren't too much. If the kit for that carb, before it was renamed, is available, it's probably even cheaper. I doubt that Edelbrock has changed it that much. You might have to punch a hole in a gasket, etc. Get a acceleration pump, power valve and whatever else you need. Study and do it yourself. Read and save the DESTRUCTIONS!!! If you have problems on the side of the road, that experiance MIGHT be handy. The gasket kits are probably cheaper than a tow. If you have to, take pic's as you take it apart.

What part of N.C.?

Good luck, Paul

 

[steve zimmerman]

the http://fitechefi.com/ systems are gaining in use and have not read any real bad yet . few guys here are playing with them in the injection section . go look at there efi .

and vortec heads are 96-end of 88-98-2000 body in pickup/suv and also 03ish van's had them . vans got ls starting in 04. vortec heads are the newer version of the old camel hump heads . bone stock limited on cam size for stock springs. and as said take different intake to bolt on and seal up .

i have a gm performance ZZ4 crate motor in my c10 which is a 350 with vortec alum heads roller cam roller rockers and a holly 750 i bought the FiTech fuel inj set up and i took it all out after 6 months of problems now that i am back to the holly 750 the truck has never run better. Buy a high quality carb that will make the most difference imo

 

[rayfin]

Vortec heads, 350hp/327 cam (222/450) and 373 gears... Do your homework on Vortecs before you throw them on. 450 lift max with slight spring mods. They flow really well.

 

[Queasyrida]

Years ago everybody worshiped Holleys. They were good carbs once you learned how to deal with them. In certain classes we were required to run the same brand of carb others would allow some carb mods. The one thing that alot of guys couldn't understand was that if they ran too much fuel pressure that you would force fuel through the needle and seat and cause flooding and usually other problems.

Don't sell any of the old carbs short. The Rodchesters, Carters, and Motorcraft (looked alot like a Holley) and there was another one that could made to run. I can't think of the brand. Find body that actually knows the carb that you have.They can be made to run.It just needed to be close to the right CFM for the engine and mods that it's going on.

I know that they have changed over the years, so what I'd do would be to try to find an old racer, circle track or drag strip, or maybe an old retired mechanic that knows it. I guess that you could find information on tuning your carb, but it usually takes a while to learn, and each one has it's own strong and weak points.

Good luck, Paul

Autolite carb?

 

[scpaul]

Autolite and Motorcraft were both Ford carbs and some models and engines had one or the other on them the same year. Sometimes they were interchangeable on the application, even used the same rebuild kit and had different parts left over because there was more models in the same family. When you ran into one of those, it really made you wonder.

The different names/models that went with the other brands were Holley had the dual line among others, Carter had the Thermo Quad, Rodchester had the spread bore or was that Holley, and there was another major carb manufacturer back then. I just can't remember what brand it was, it was another american made carb.

This is going to worry me until I go find some of my old car mags. (that I haven't seen in years).

I'm sorry, I just can't remember, Paul

 

[Queasyrida]

Autolite and Motorcraft were both Ford carbs and some models and engines had one or the other on them the same year. Sometimes they were interchangeable on the application, even used the same rebuild kit and had different parts left over because there was more models in the same family. When you ran into one of those, it really made you wonder.

The different names/models that went with the other brands were Holley had the dual line among others, Carter had the Thermo Quad, Rodchester had the spread bore or was that Holley, and there was another major carb manufacturer back then. I just can't remember what brand it was, it was another american made carb.

This is going to worry me until I go find some of my old car mags. (that I haven't seen in years).

I'm sorry, I just can't remember, Paul

Stromberg carb? Now I'm scratching my head, too!

 

[diesel4me]

Autolite carbs were really just Holley's for the most part,made by Motorcraft,they had some minor differences but were basically Holley's..
Stromberg carbs were often used on tri-power applications and dual carbs on old flatheads and hot rods..the few stock applications they were used on kind of sucked--the 305 and 351 V6 GMC engines used two barrel Stromberg's that were problematic and it didn't take long for Mr.Gasket to make an adapter to bolt on a Rochester 2 bbl or a Holley 2 bbl in their place..

Another brand often overlooked is Webber--they made a lot of progressive 2 bbl carbs and also were who made the first "copy" of the Carter AFB 4 bbls and sold them under the Webber brand name until Edelbrock bought the rights to the design..

Rochester had a bunch of different 4 bbl carbs,the Quadrajets were spread bore design,(Holley also started making spread bore carbs to replace Q-jets,and Carter had the Thermo-Quad ,both were interchangeable with Q-jets..)--they also had 4GC Rochester 4 bbl carbs,I had three of those that ran sweet,better than any of the Q-jets I had..
Some older 50's GM's had some weird 4 bbl carbs that I think were Carter's--"WCFB" ,those worked well but you'd probably be lucky to find one today that is any good..
I liked the Carter AFB's best ,they seemed to give more power and were less prone to flooding that Edelbrocks,despite being nearly identical designs..but on an off road truck I would go with a Q-jet,the Carter's and Edelbrocks do tend to flood easier on steep grades or angles..

I can't think of any other "popular" brands of carbs used on vehicles,there were many brands used on farm & industrial engines like Marvel-Schebler,Walbro,Tillotson,,but those weren't used on any vehicles I know of excepting maybe some ancient antiques..

 

[Queasyrida]

Autolite carbs were really just Holley's for the most part,made by Motorcraft,they had some minor differences but were basically Holley's..
Stromberg carbs were often used on tri-power applications and dual carbs on old flatheads and hot rods..the few stock applications they were used on kind of sucked--the 305 and 351 V6 GMC engines used two barrel Stromberg's that were problematic and it didn't take long for Mr.Gasket to make an adapter to bolt on a Rochester 2 bbl or a Holley 2 bbl in their place..

Another brand often overlooked is Webber--they made a lot of progressive 2 bbl carbs and also were who made the first "copy" of the Carter AFB 4 bbls and sold them under the Webber brand name until Edelbrock bought the rights to the design..

Rochester had a bunch of different 4 bbl carbs,the Quadrajets were spread bore design,(Holley also started making spread bore carbs to replace Q-jets,and Carter had the Thermo-Quad ,both were interchangeable with Q-jets..)--they also had 4GC Rochester 4 bbl carbs,I had three of those that ran sweet,better than any of the Q-jets I had..
Some older 50's GM's had some weird 4 bbl carbs that I think were Carter's--"WCFB" ,those worked well but you'd probably be lucky to find one today that is any good..
I liked the Carter AFB's best ,they seemed to give more power and were less prone to flooding that Edelbrocks,despite being nearly identical designs..but on an off road truck I would go with a Q-jet,the Carter's and Edelbrocks do tend to flood easier on steep grades or angles..

I can't think of any other "popular" brands of carbs used on vehicles,there were many brands used on farm & industrial engines like Marvel-Schebler,Walbro,Tillotson,,but those weren't used on any vehicles I know of excepting maybe some ancient antiques..

Talking old carbs, the Carter WCFB had a smaller manifold bolt pattern than the AFB. I had one on my '56 Y-block Ford than ran much better than the stock Ford 4bbl. I had read back then WCFB stood for "white cast four barrell" (zinc), and AFB was aluminum four barrell. I think we have covered all the "popular" carbs except Amal, Zenith, Solex, and SU's which were European made......

 

[diesel4me]

Ever see a Holley 3 bbl carb ?...

Friend had one on a '68 Charger with a 383,that thing really "booted" when you floored it!-..sounded better than any 4 bbl did..some 60's big block Vette's had them factory too..

 

[handloader90]

The LS swap just seems to nickel and dime you to death. I will be in it for more money than if I spend a little on the small block. I'm looking at probably another 1000 bucks just to get it in my truck and running. I agree on the gearing though, and I may try to find a 700r4 to run, so I can go to 4.10 gears.

I bet you could get that LS in your truck for under $1,500 easily.

It's definitely a nickel and dime process but a lot of the stuff is just as cheap as SBC stuff.

The most expensive part would probably be the wire harness and computer, if you can do the harness yourself you can save about $300. A lot of places will do flash your computer and put a base tune one there for $100, enough to get you running decently.

Motor mount adapter plates, you don't have to go all out on a crazy crossmember, the stock one will work (may need a little persuasion but it will work).

You need a baffled fuel tank, about $90ish on RockAuto for a '91 K5.

Lots of little odds and ends but If you already have an LS waiting why not throw some money into that vs. an old small block?

I don't know what your plans arw for the small block after the LS swap but it's getting hard to recoup money from a built small block, everyone wants a $300 350 on craigslist and complete LS engines are selling cheaper than what a lot of people are asking for their small block that they've dumped money in.

You get a full roller cam from the factory, no distributor or timing to mess with, no carburetor, no flooding on hills, factory fuel injection, no worries about different jets and metering rods that need to be swapped in for different elevations if you plan on a road trip or exploring.

I would definitely go with the LS.

 

[Queasyrida]

View attachment 222891 Ever see a Holley 3 bbl carb ?...

Friend had one on a '68 Charger with a 383,that thing really "booted" when you floored it!-..sounded better than any 4 bbl did..some 60's big block Vette's had them factory too..

I've heard of it, first time I think I've ever seen one. Wonder why they didn't catch on, secondaries too big to get a smooth transition in street use?
Just googled Holley eight barrel, no listing. I know I saw a picture in Hot Rod magazine. It was on a racing Mustang if I remember correctly

 

[diesel4me]

"Smooth transistion" and "Muscle Car" rarely go together !...more like boot & scoot...throw your head back into the headrest and hang on kind of transition..TOOOO-HOOOOOOP!....

Never heard of an 8 barrel Holley,there were dual quads and quadruple 2 bbl manifolds available back in the day though..

Here is a rare inline 4 bbl carb Ford made a few of--they were offered as a factory option on some Boss mustangs ,mounted in pairs...
Seen one setup on a Boss 429 years ago at a car show,didn't get to hear the car run though...




While its true the "old school" small blocks are rapidly becoming scarcer ,I still like them a lot...I'd rather be able to file the points and do tune ups ,not rely on some "sensor" that might crap out far from home and leave you in a bind..


The LS engines do have every advantage listed above,but a lot of us older guys would rather stick with an engine that bolts right in,without a lot of money spent on motor mount adapters,crossmembers,etc...and stick with what we are familiar with and know well...

I see several LS engines "complete" with the wiring and all accessories on craigslist for 500 bucks or so often...the fact you'll need another 500 before the LS is in your old square body,never mind the "tuning" issues you may confront,discourages me from wanting one...the younger generation who grew up with these newer engines are much more familiar with them and the electronics doesn't worry them as much..

 

[Queasyrida]

"Smooth transistion" and "Muscle Car" rarely go together !...more like boot & scoot...throw your head back into the headrest and hang on kind of transition..TOOOO-HOOOOOOP!....

Never heard of an 8 barrel Holley,there were dual quads and quadruple 2 bbl manifolds available back in the day though..

Here is a rare inline 4 bbl carb Ford made a few of--they were offered as a factory option on some Boss mustangs ,mounted in pairs...
Seen one setup on a Boss 429 years ago at a car show,didn't get to hear the car run though...

View attachment 222892


While its true the "old school" small blocks are rapidly becoming scarcer ,I still like them a lot...I'd rather be able to file the points and do tune ups ,not rely on some "sensor" that might crap out far from home and leave you in a bind..


The LS engines do have every advantage listed above,but a lot of us older guys would rather stick with an engine that bolts right in,without a lot of money spent on motor mount adapters,crossmembers,etc...and stick with what we are familiar with and know well...

I see several LS engines "complete" with the wiring and all accessories on craigslist for 500 bucks or so often...the fact you'll need another 500 before the LS is in your old square body,never mind the "tuning" issues you may confront,discourages me from wanting one...the younger generation who grew up with these newer engines are much more familiar with them and the electronics doesn't worry them as much..

That's it! Somehow my mind remembered 8 barrels in line......Yes, I'm an old "points, plugs, and condenser" guy too...I have collected enough parts to change my '90 Blazer over to carburetion if the ECM or other critical parts becomes impossible to get. I still have my dwell meter (not digital), advance timing light and points feeler gauges. Several vacuum gauges and valve covers with cutouts to set the valves with the engine running. That stuff has served us well , hasn't it?!

 

[handloader90]

"Smooth transistion" and "Muscle Car" rarely go together !...more like boot & scoot...throw your head back into the headrest and hang on kind of transition..TOOOO-HOOOOOOP!....

Never heard of an 8 barrel Holley,there were dual quads and quadruple 2 bbl manifolds available back in the day though..

Here is a rare inline 4 bbl carb Ford made a few of--they were offered as a factory option on some Boss mustangs ,mounted in pairs...
Seen one setup on a Boss 429 years ago at a car show,didn't get to hear the car run though...

View attachment 222892


While its true the "old school" small blocks are rapidly becoming scarcer ,I still like them a lot...I'd rather be able to file the points and do tune ups ,not rely on some "sensor" that might crap out far from home and leave you in a bind..


The LS engines do have every advantage listed above,but a lot of us older guys would rather stick with an engine that bolts right in,without a lot of money spent on motor mount adapters,crossmembers,etc...and stick with what we are familiar with and know well...

I see several LS engines "complete" with the wiring and all accessories on craigslist for 500 bucks or so often...the fact you'll need another 500 before the LS is in your old square body,never mind the "tuning" issues you may confront,discourages me from wanting one...the younger generation who grew up with these newer engines are much more familiar with them and the electronics doesn't worry them as much..

I told myself I would never do anything else except for a carb'd small block.

Set the timing, give it fuel, give it 12v and it fires up lol. I was extremely comfortable with the carb I had, tuning it and tearing it apart.

I do agree that they are simple, easy to learn and easy to get going.

I stumbled across an LS engine in trade for my good 355 SBC and a 350 SBC that had the cam lobes rounded off. Traded for a 6.0 LQ4, didn't know squat about LS engines or fuel injection or any of that stuff but I've come to respect the LS engine.

Tearing into the harness isn't something I'm comfortable doing so I'm gonna pony up the $300 and have someone else do it.

It just amazes me how cheap these things are, the aftermarket support, stock replacement part prices, the longevity they have if properly maintained etc.

As long as it's Chevy I like it lol.

 

[diesel4me]

It's hard to teach an old dawg new tricks...
I tend to stick with things I'm familiar with and have a lot of spare parts for..

I dont hate newer EFI engines ,I'm just not fond of so much electronics being required to make one run...

If GM had made them so they would be a bolt in swap it would be much easier and less costly to put an LS in an older vehicle..but you'd still have to deal with a wiring harness,ECM,etc..most old school guys aren't fans of electronics and wiring..
Not all of us have a few grand in the bank to spend on all the things installing one requires...
Nothing sounds as good as a big 4 bbl carb wide open either!..or dual quads....

 

[Aaron jackson 87]

Vortec heads, a good cam such as a comp 4x4 piece and a performer rpm intake and call her a day.

I'd go with a 373 gear if your keeping a 3 speed auto fwiw. What sized tire do you plan to run?

I agree. Pick up a set of vortec heads, do some garage port work, only cost time, price of some carbide tips and sanding rolls. Lots of great videos on how to do some good work to get them to flow better than they already do. Port work is not that scarry if you dont psych yourself out! Spend a few bucks, get them magnafluxed for sure, as they are prone to cracking. Toss in a 3 or 4 angle valve job, get them decked and milled to run a cam and springs that will support 550 lift or what ever you want, and some good springs. All said and done you might be in the 600$ range for the heads depending on machine work cost and purchase price. Can find a set for 100 if ur lucky, double that if not. Now that heads are good, call a tech or cam suplier and choose a cam for your desire and "usable" rpm range, pick what you want, and the rest is history, you can make the power you want all day with those heads, especially if you give em a little work! Many will say to get a set of aftermarket heads and have a brand new set of heads, but it is what it is... performer rpm is a great manifold, weiand has a model that has the plenum devider milled down 3/4 of an inch or so, so the 2 sides share more air, that makes a bit more power up top.

 

[Blazooki]

Ignore the fake wannabe posers who have no idea how to make real speed.... what you need is NITRO. throw this thing on the bottle for $600..spend the rest on beer, hookers and a GOPRO. crank out the instagram vids and profit like a boss.





Jeggs vortex performer intake manifold is way less money. thats what I have on my rig...cool center bolt vortec valve covers that don't cost more than the heads are hard to find tho.