Top End Kit for my Olds 350 in my 1987 Cutlass.
- Thread starter spencer83
- Start date
- Status
That motor can be built but find a set of early Olds 330 or 350 heads with 3,4,5,6,7 or 7a in front of the number one cylinder. You 3A heads suck and are crack prone. Dump that Edelbrock carb and buy the Street Demon 625 or 750 and a new vacuum advance HEI distributor or run what is already on the motor, although the late 307 computer uses a lot of timing. With early heads milled to 64 cc, some may be there, many are 68-69 cc and Rocket Racing .028" head gaskets, you will have 9 to 1 compression. 2.07"/1.625"valves with bowls opened up is a good start. Use a cam like the Lunati 217/221 .485/.485 or .221/.230 High Efficiency cams, I beliveve, second cam have pushed close to 350 hp. 400 HP takes a total overhaul to be reliable and an early 350 is stronger.
When you say top end kit, do you mean you want a strong healthy motor that will make power? Or do you want summit to puke all over the engine? These are very different things. And yes, the summit (or whatever catalogue) parts can make power, but at what cost?
Here's my take. You have a 350, but it is windowed main webbed being a 77-80 block. You can build it, just the same as a 403, but it'll need some bottom end help. I'd suggest, if you can, buying a 68-76 bottom end to start with. Otherwise, expect to do some machine work and put a girdle on it to make it live.
You want 400 hp? It can be done with iron heads, but aluminum are a nice option. Are you looking at edelbrock heads or procomps? Either one on a 350 will need some machine work, and you will need an electric fuel pump, as the stock one doesn't fit.
I'd go look over on realoldspower.com they have a build section which has proven combo's with weight, et, dyno sheets, ect... to help you put together a combo.
Don't be too quick to pour out $ on parts, get a plan together first, so you only do things once.
Here's my take. You have a 350, but it is windowed main webbed being a 77-80 block. You can build it, just the same as a 403, but it'll need some bottom end help. I'd suggest, if you can, buying a 68-76 bottom end to start with. Otherwise, expect to do some machine work and put a girdle on it to make it live.
You want 400 hp? It can be done with iron heads, but aluminum are a nice option. Are you looking at edelbrock heads or procomps? Either one on a 350 will need some machine work, and you will need an electric fuel pump, as the stock one doesn't fit.
I'd go look over on realoldspower.com they have a build section which has proven combo's with weight, et, dyno sheets, ect... to help you put together a combo.
Don't be too quick to pour out $ on parts, get a plan together first, so you only do things once.
I totally agree. If you've got the money available to spend, do LOTS of research first. The money will go further if you figure out the best way for YOU to spend it. Figure out exactly what you want and then figure out what you have to do to get that level of performance. See how much that costs, compare it to how much you have and either build it, save up more cause what you wanted costs more to build than what you have, or reevaluate and replan within your budget.
I want to do it right the first time and not waste my money. I've been doing a lot of research. My brain is on overload.
My suggestion would be to go to realoldspower, start poking around, ask questions, and don't mind the people who will be nasty and not help. Just be willing to listen to those with knowledge.
I just built a 403 which should be in the neighborhood of the power levels you want, it cost me ~$4000-4500 looking for deals, and realoldspower helped a lot along the way. There are some very knowledgeable guys on the site who are willing to teach those willing to learn.
I just built a 403 which should be in the neighborhood of the power levels you want, it cost me ~$4000-4500 looking for deals, and realoldspower helped a lot along the way. There are some very knowledgeable guys on the site who are willing to teach those willing to learn.
I want to do it right the first time and not waste my money. I've been doing a lot of research. My brain is on overload.
thanks. I take Everything in. I'm already addicted to learning more. I appreciate all of the input.
Establish your budget,and decide what your goal is for the drivetrain. Source your parts and any shops that you can use and put together a few "packages" for yourself with different sources/parts and sit down and decide what is gonna be the best option. Shoot put up a poll on here.
You gotta figure out how much power you need to make and realize that everything else on the vehicle needs to be upgraded along with it. Transmission, driveshaft, rear end, suspension, etc. Include that in your budget accordingly.
I know. I want to upgrade everything. Patience is my problem but I don't want anything 1/2 assed. I would like to buy some stuff I'm itching. Lol. I'm not though, until I really figure out my plan. I'm just saving like crazy and working a lot. I'm really excited about this project.
- Status
