Better Heads and Faster Trans

[Gears And Circuits]

So currently I have a brand new SBC 350, .030 over, 882 series 194 heads, stock bottom end, Eddelbrock performer intake and Holley 600 cfm carb. All this hooked into a th350 that WAS bolted to the Buick 3.8L v6 and the rear gears are 2.3:1.
Im fairly set on reducing the chamber size to 64cc down from 76cc, BUT would it be better to get some aluminum heads and spend a thousand dollars or get a set of Vortecs and save a bit?
For the rest of the drivetrain, it's a dog. Engines maxes at 3k RPM with the pedal slammed and accelerates slower than a Honda civic. How do I make that automatic faster without compromising the drivability on the freeway? (aside from rear gears, I know that will have to change.)
If anyone is running this please let me know how you did it and what worked best.

 

[TURNA]

882's are a poor quality casting lots of flash on them.

But a decent design

HAVE THEM CHECKED FOR CRACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PORT PORT PORT!!!!!

Your power is made with the heads she got to breath!!!!!


If you have them use them and they are good, clean up the flashing at a minimal

Save up for a better set in the future!!

 

[Gears And Circuits]

882's are a poor quality casting lots of flash on them.

But a decent design

HAVE THEM CHECKED FOR CRACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PORT PORT PORT!!!!!

Your power is made with the heads she got to breath!!!!!


If you have them use them and they are good, clean up the flashing at a minimal

Save up for a better set in the future!!

Yes I had them rebuilt by a local racing shop. They work perfectly fine I just wanted to boost compression.

 

[Texas82GP]

The car needs some gear more than anything. Consider swapping to a 200-4R overdrive trans. (preferably one from a GN, 442 or SS) and 3.42 or 3.73 rear gears, depending on what your rear tire height is. No matter what you do to the engine, it will be a dog with 2.29(?) rear gears.

 

[fleming442]

If you're only pulling 3,000rpm, something is way wrong. Check your throttle cable. Even a stock 350 should float the valves around 4500.

 

[lilbowtie]

I'm with Fleming. You have an engine problem to take care of first. Any history on your situation.

 

[Texas82GP]

I misunderstood. I thought he meant it was upshifting at 3k at WOT.

 

[lilbowtie]

I misunderstood. I thought he meant it was upshifting at 3k at WOT.

Might be - need more details !

 

[L92 OLDS]

Hmmm. I am still confused. The question is "how do I make that automatic faster". Sounds to me like it is shifting too early.
We need more information to help you. Engine issue or shifting issue? In either case, the suggestion that Texas82GP gave you is sound advice. Better rear end gears will help you beat that POS civic.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Buy a governor kit, shows online how to get 5000+ rpm auto shifts. Also get a 2000+ stall converter and put in a 3.08 posi. Those 3 things will make it feel twice as fast. As far as heads, you need to figure out your current compression, 12cc smaller will raise it 1.5 to 1, a lot. Your current cam might be too small.