What heads and intake (GM)?

[tonkota]

I'm building a SBC for my piggy, and the block I'm using is a 70 350 4 bolt. What heads can I use? I don't want aluminum, but are there any castings that are crappy or won't work?

Also, I've been thumbing through the Summit catalog and the Edlebrock intake/cam set is looking pretty good to me. It claims power from idle to 5500 RPM. Anyone running this combo?

Also, should I keep the compression ratio down around 8.5 or so? I don't want too much power.

Thoughts?

 

[TxCruzr]

I'm runnning the Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake...the airgap one
I like it alot and if I ever need to I can warm a burrito in it. It has been out for some time now but in test it is still coming up as the top intake even against newer designs so it must be good.
As for heads I'm running a set of 220 heads like the camel hump ones you would find an older vette. I can't for the life of me remember what the compression on my motor is but I can run pump gas w/o a problem so that must mean its fine

 

[Eskimo]

For the price, when my 305 dies, I'm going to get the plain 'ol GM 350 replacement crate engine. Damn near ready to run for $1400, 260hp, 350 tq. 8.5:1 compression. warranty, too!

I've got an Edelbrock Performer on the engine now, works well. Starts to struggle above 4500, but I'm not sure if that's the engine, or the intake system...probably the engine.

 

[woody]

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm 882 is a very common one, as is 292 (last 3 digis...)...most of the others are relatively uncommon.

Most can be redone for larger in/ex valves as well....tho really, for a truck, it's of little importance.

Comp Cam Xtreme is what I used to run, absolubely loved it. Top end died out, but the bottom kicked butt for rock use. Damn near impossible to kill the motor. Had a Weiand intake, no complaints, but have a cast iron dual plane stocker in the shop that I almost switched in....never did, there it sits....

 

[ZZ4 FJ40]

IMO if I were to replace my L-88 heads on my ZZ4, I would look at either the Edelbrock E-Tec (alum.)or the cast iron Vortec ( $ 500.00/ pair complete! ). The latter is the most bang for the buck. They say they are good for 40hp over stock heads, but be forewarned your old chevy intake won't work with the vortec heads. But on the upside the Ramjet fuel injection will. I hope this adds to your confusion.
Jerry

 

[LukeZero]

IMO if I were to replace my L-88 heads on my ZZ4, I would look at either the Edelbrock E-Tec (alum.)or the cast iron Vortec ( $ 500.00/ pair complete! ). The latter is the most bang for the buck. They say they are good for 40hp over stock heads, but be forewarned your old chevy intake won't work with the vortec heads. But on the upside the Ramjet fuel injection will. I hope this adds to your confusion.
Jerry

Yeah, what he said.... Vortec heads, iron, from late model 5.7 liter truck engines. Valve springs need to be changed if lift will exceed .474 on either intake or exhaust, Use an Edelbrock intake for Vortec heads. Watch Ebay for the heads, picked mine up for $400 including shipping, new in the GMPP boxes. They flow better than lots of the older heads do even after porting.

 

[fj40charles]

IMO if I were to replace my L-88 heads on my ZZ4, I would look at either the Edelbrock E-Tec (alum.)or the cast iron Vortec ( $ 500.00/ pair complete! ). The latter is the most bang for the buck. They say they are good for 40hp over stock heads, but be forewarned your old chevy intake won't work with the vortec heads. But on the upside the Ramjet fuel injection will. I hope this adds to your confusion.
Jerry

Hey Jerry,

What are you doing?

Charles