what do you yhink of this top end kit for a SBC?
 

I will be rebuilding a tired 350 soon, and I found its a good chance to upgrade it a little bit, I'm hoping that I can get it to the 360-380 HP range using this top end kit from Summit (SME-K-375-400), what do you think of it and its components? is it worth the $1400 and will it bring my engine to the HP level I'm hoping to?


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-K-375-400/

I would aim a little higher than 170 cc heads and sub .500 lift

Those heads & cam on 350 will meet your stated goal ... however, I'd pick separately not a kit .... rarely do te kits match all specific needs. And, if you're building a 400 hp or less street 350, don't over-do it. Seat of the pants Torque is what most street cars need ... lotsa hp at hi-rpm isn't always so practical. It's usually pretty cheap & easy to rebuild as a 383 ... they make lotsa low-to-mid rpm Torque.

I can't go for a 383 because of the budget and there are no good machines shop around here to balance the rotating assembly.

So lets say I will start with a nice 200 CFM head like the Summit SUM-162112

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-162112/

what kind of camshaft would recommend for them in terms of duration and lift?

I built several BBCs before, but this is my first SBC build and I really don't know my way here! (hence my silly questions!)

For that money you could get a nice set of Brodix heads that flow really good and you know exactly what you are getting. I'm by no means an engine expert -- I'm barely a novice, but 200CFM heads sound like overkill for a 350. I would think something in the 180-185 range would work better. I have 200 CFM heads on my car now, but plan to put a 383 bottom-end in it soon to take advantage of the increased flow.

look into Edelbrock heads. they are 180cc. like said before, don't over do it. what's your budget?

:iagree: Edelbrock has complete kits too. Watch out for the intake. If you're planning on running the stock Q-jet carb, the intake in the Summit kit won't work. That's for a square bore carb like a Holley.

You could probably run the Edelbrock rpm heads and cam and use the performer intake. I had that cam in my old Camaro about 10 years ago. Its a great all around cam but you will need a high stall converter in an automatic. I think I was running a 3000 stall.

I'm sure there may even be better cams out there now

My budget is $1500. I just saw a nice 180cc Brodix heads and they sell for $1100/pair (Summit BRO-1021004)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRO-1021004/

I think that may be a good start for a nice 350 build. Now for the camshaft selection, I need something to be used with a stock converter and has smooth idle, will I be under-using my heads if I do so?

HammadUP - I have been eyeing the same kit

I just made a list of engine parts, if anyone wants to evaluate it :

1- Brodix cylinder heads, 180cc/64cc.
2- Lunati flat tappet cam, Duration at .50 219 int./227 exh. with .468 in./0.489 in. lift.
3- Edelbrock Performer Intake, I thought about the air-gap, but I fear that may affect the idle/low end.

All that, plus timing sets, gaskets, ARP head bolts .. etc, will cost $1720, I'll exceed my budget, and hopefully it will be worth it.

What about...
timing chain
pushrods
gaskets
Bolts
etc.

ARP bolt kit. Summi timing set. Felpro gasket kit. nothing fancy. just for a mild 350 build.
i.ll keep pushrods to the last as I would like to check their size during the build 1st.

I just installed a set of IK 180 Brodix heads. I like them alot, they don't have a place to put the water temp sending unit in like the cast iron stockers, also if you plan on using this on the street you'll need to tell them to put valve seals in the exhauste side. They won't do it unless you ask. I didn't ask and my motor smoked at a restart. I then put the seals in and all is well. Good luck

My first upgrade on my L48 was 200cc iron Sportsman II heads, 10:1 cr hyperutectic pistons with CompCams 270H hydraulic flat tappet cam, a Holley 750DP mechanical sec. and RPM Air Gap intake. You don't necessarily need aluminum heads.

With these few changes it took a car which could barely keep ahead of a 93 Cavalier to something that was mucho fun to drive on the street and blow the doors off the ricers that used to surround me at stop lights. I don't see them at all these days since the 406ci let alone the 427ci :lol:

BTW it made more HP and Tq when I put a Victor Jr single plane and solid flat tappet cam in it. I'll keep posting but most of the the myths are still out there :thumbs:

That's a chassis dyno RWHP chart notice the date, these days I get more Tq at idle :lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...DynoAIrGap.jpg

This is the one I chose for the top end of my L-48, very good torque #'s
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-08-0039/
Should work well with factory convertor.

The summit kits are pretty hard to beat for value when you consider the cost when you buy it all individually. The heads have 2.02 / 1.6 Valves . Includes a decent dual plane intake and streetable cam. This package has everything you need to meet your HP goals and still have a very drivable car.

Furthermore, it's all pre-matched so it takes the guesswork out of picking different components to work together.

THat ain't 200 cfm ... it's cc's ... and Those ARE brodix IK200 (they were awhile back) ... too bad summit don't do 180cc in same house brand. 200cc a bit much volume for most street 350. And you'll find few intake choices that'll BOTH cover IK200's relatively big port openings AND fit under many C3 low hoods.

If IF IF you have dished pistons aka OE L48 ...
... find a deal on 58cc chamber alum heads like OE GM L98 aka ZZ4 heads ... GM p/n 12556463 (cast # ends 113) ... good cam & lite porting will easily meet your stated goal (360-380hp).

OR if you have flattops ... good cam & iron vortecs'll get you there too.

what is it ... dished or flat? probably should've answered that along with budget to begin with.