Not sure what route to take: '87 442 w/350.

[jetsetw31]

First of a all, what a great find! I'm jealous. I remember a guy modifying a drop base air cleaner with a factory one for a '71 442 convertible with the ram air hood on pro tourng.com. I'm going the Holley EFI route also. I have a rare Holley Street Dominator intake. (It took a year of searching to get it on ebay.) I have the No. 8 heads slightly ported and can spin my '73 Olds 350 to 6 grand during shifts. I have a T5 behind it now saving for a T56. I'd use the factory heads and save up for the Pro Comps if I was in your shoes. I would have to mod my intake to use the Pro Comp/ Edelbrock heads.
T

 

[Mich's87442]

Thanks olds307 &403. I'm going to look into that 400 sbc pistons and rods for a stroker motor. I have about $8k to play with on engine parts. So I take it I will have to run a open element air cleaner to get the hood clearance needed. I already have a FiTech unit on the way. Oh well. If I have any issues I have some friends into the modern injections systems to help me out if I need. Lets hope that all goes smooth when the time comes.

I see your from Saskatchewan. I have a friend from my Corvette internet club/forum in Saskatchewan. Nice lady that isn't afraid to turn a wrench.

 

[Mich's87442]

First of a all, what a great find! I'm jealous. I remember a guy modifying a drop base air cleaner with a factory one for a '71 442 convertible with the ram air hood on pro tourng.com. I'm going the Holley EFI route also. I have a rare Holley Street Dominator intake. (It took a year of searching to get it on ebay.) I have the No. 8 heads slightly ported and can spin my '73 Olds 350 to 6 grand during shifts. I have a T5 behind it now saving for a T56. I'd use the factory heads and save up for the Pro Comps if I was in your shoes. I would have to mod my intake to use the Pro Comp/ Edelbrock heads.
T

Thanks jetsetw31. I lucked out on this find. Modifying the bottom of the stock air cleaner gives me an idea. Thanks. Your 350 setup sounds like it's a strong runner twisting it up to 6 grand. Good idea on getting a T56. Way stronger than the T5.

 

[64nailhead]

Regarding your head question, In my opinion aftermarket heads are a better value than working with factory iron. They use better technology, are lighter and flow well out of the box. You will spend a small fortune in machine work modifying an early head to match an Edelbrock or Procomp.....ask me how I know. I wish I would have bought Procomps. They have a similar casting to Edelbrock at about half the price. A lot of guys have been using them with good results. Warning. Not for China haters.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/403-OLDSMOB...ash=item1eaeb8b7be:g:x6YAAOSwd4tT~N2u&vxp=mtr

Obviously, I'm not up on Olds pricing and I'll say that I always prefer to buy US made and supported products, but holy shhhhhhcow on that ProComp setup. $1400 for Chinese crap??? I'd take a set of stock heads to a known head porter and give him $6-1200 before I'd pay the better part of $1500 for a set of ProComps.

It is very understandable why many go to SBC swaps. It's a shame that these parts are so expensive. It really makes the truck LS swap look good.

 

[HOAdrian]

Early Toronado (66-67, maybe 68-69 as well) air cleaners have drop bases. They are shaped to fit quadrajets so they may not work with the Fitech without some massaging. I think the Performer RPM is 1.5 inch taller than stock. If you don't use a spacer under the throttle body and remove the hood insulation, you might have clearance. Another option is to machine a little off the top of the intake.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I use the taller motor mounts and the Performer RPM would fit a flat hood a 14 x 3" air filter and drop base air cleaner. If the stock motor mounts are used, should be no issue. Procomp heads bare can be found for less than $400 each bare. Get you favorite machine shop to use better valves like the Edelbrock ones and mill to the desired CC. These heads have improved in casting quality and chamber now actually measure 77CC instead 83-84. Having parts fit between small and big block Olds is great meaning we have some aftermarket parts. Unfortunately there should be a second chamber size available like 67CC would be great.