hey i have a 85 cutlass with a stock 330 in it. i want to do a little work to make it faster with just some bolts on thing. like heads or anything you can think of. can anyone give me some info on some things to do?
330 olds help?
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330 huh? Already you have a good powerful motor. First off, the car isnt going to move very quickly if you dont have a good set of gears in it, try anything in between 3.23-3.73 and get posi. Engine wise, i suppose you could throw a set of edelbrock BB heads on it, but it will require some work to be done in order for them to bolt on and work. You could also get a good aftermarket intake manifold, if you're going with the edel heads than get an intake for a Big Block since the heads are made for a big block, if you're going with stock cast small block heads than get a performer rpm manifold from edelbrock, regular performers have almost the same flow characteristics as stock cast iron manifolds so get the performer rpm. Headers also work good too. I have an old set of blackjack headers and they fit good except that the collectors point outward instead of straight. Camshafts also work wonders, get something mild if its street driven, if its a drag car, purpose built than go wild.
upgrade to a holley carb, they work a little better than stock qjets, plus it'll bolt on to the aftermarket intake, where as the qjet wont unless you have an adapter plate. Also upgrade the ignition if you didnt already, go with a HEI distributor.
hope this helps a bit.
upgrade to a holley carb, they work a little better than stock qjets, plus it'll bolt on to the aftermarket intake, where as the qjet wont unless you have an adapter plate. Also upgrade the ignition if you didnt already, go with a HEI distributor.
hope this helps a bit.
You can swap the cam out, but be warned the 330 along with other I think what pre-68 olds engines use different lifters and cams from the later engines, so sure you get the right one. But I think the same cam grinds are available in both styles in most cases.
Other than that, like Minion said, upgrade to an HEI distributor... Even if not for performance reasons, at least you'll never have to mess with points ever again. Intake manifold, carb, big high flow air filter, and headers. Also get a good mandrel bent dual exhaust with an H or X pipe, low restriction mufflers, and remove your cats. If you can't somehow get around having to run cats where you live, spend the extra cash at least to get high performance cats. Then above all else, spend the time to do fine tuning, and if you can't tune it yourself... Get someone to tune the car, timing, carb, etc. Tuning can make a huge difference. I bought a car once thought the motor was blown, I replaced the coil pack, wires, plugs, air filter, and had it diagnosed and tuned... After than the car ran great. :lol:
All those basic improvements should make a marked improvement.
Also look up this dude named Mondello, he's done just about everything you can with an Olds. :wink:
Other than that, like Minion said, upgrade to an HEI distributor... Even if not for performance reasons, at least you'll never have to mess with points ever again. Intake manifold, carb, big high flow air filter, and headers. Also get a good mandrel bent dual exhaust with an H or X pipe, low restriction mufflers, and remove your cats. If you can't somehow get around having to run cats where you live, spend the extra cash at least to get high performance cats. Then above all else, spend the time to do fine tuning, and if you can't tune it yourself... Get someone to tune the car, timing, carb, etc. Tuning can make a huge difference. I bought a car once thought the motor was blown, I replaced the coil pack, wires, plugs, air filter, and had it diagnosed and tuned... After than the car ran great. :lol:
All those basic improvements should make a marked improvement.
Also look up this dude named Mondello, he's done just about everything you can with an Olds. :wink:
kornball426 said:
Actually, could be different or the same. The 64-67 Olds motors used a two different lifter diameters (0.842" and 0.921") and two different lifter bank angles (45 deg and 39 deg). The 68-up motors used only the 39 deg bank angle and only the 0.842" lifter diameter except for diesels and roller cam 307s, which used the larger lifters. The cam MUST be ground for the lifter bank angle of the block.
First thing first is decoding the block and heads. As stated you need to do this to determine what you got and what you have to work with. Next is if doing the cam / lifter swap you have to determine the cam bank angle & lifter size.
For your heads I'm not sure if going to the Edelbrock BB heads would be worth the cost and time. Not bashing you Minion but I would think cleaning up / upgrading the stock heads & valves would be a better way to go. Maybe I'm wrong (and feel free to correct) but I think the Performer RPM is the choice to go with even if going the BB heads as there's extra flange material for this purpose but I still think you have to machine to match, again more money. But do agree, the RPM is a great choice. I do like & run their 750cfm carb too. A q-jet can be a great carb too, just have to make sure it's in tune, the throttle shaft isn't worn / loose or you'll never get it to tune right.
Having said all that,
I guess the first thing that should've been asked ask is what are you running now in terms of emissions, carb, ignition, exhaust, gearing? And the second & third thing, what's fast to you and were will you be going fast (street, street/strip, strip)?
For your heads I'm not sure if going to the Edelbrock BB heads would be worth the cost and time. Not bashing you Minion but I would think cleaning up / upgrading the stock heads & valves would be a better way to go. Maybe I'm wrong (and feel free to correct) but I think the Performer RPM is the choice to go with even if going the BB heads as there's extra flange material for this purpose but I still think you have to machine to match, again more money. But do agree, the RPM is a great choice. I do like & run their 750cfm carb too. A q-jet can be a great carb too, just have to make sure it's in tune, the throttle shaft isn't worn / loose or you'll never get it to tune right.
Having said all that,
I guess the first thing that should've been asked ask is what are you running now in terms of emissions, carb, ignition, exhaust, gearing? And the second & third thing, what's fast to you and were will you be going fast (street, street/strip, strip)?
the 39^ cam lifter block's are # "2" - "4". if you have that your good to go!
If you have # 2-7 heads....Fully port and polish, install the 350 W-31 valves (2.000" intake, and 1.625" exhaust) Harland Sharp Full Roller Rockers. Shave the heads 0.040"
Cam: #14-082, and Valve Springs: SU #14-060 from Supercars Unlimited
go with the Performer RPM, 750 Holley, and 3000 stall with 3.42 - 3.73 gears. and HEI ignition
Headers: American Racing's
If you have # 2-7 heads....Fully port and polish, install the 350 W-31 valves (2.000" intake, and 1.625" exhaust) Harland Sharp Full Roller Rockers. Shave the heads 0.040"
Cam: #14-082, and Valve Springs: SU #14-060 from Supercars Unlimited
go with the Performer RPM, 750 Holley, and 3000 stall with 3.42 - 3.73 gears. and HEI ignition
Headers: American Racing's
i found some hooker header that i can get now for the money i got.but i looking for a good pair of 3.73 gears and posi. can anyone tell me where to go or a good name to go by
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