I've read and learned a lot since joining this forum. Now I'm thinking of installing a GM 350 - 330hp long block in my 69 coupe. Two questions I have are which edelbrock manifold and carb combo would be good for good performance at low and mid range and still fit under a stock small block hood. My other is should I go to HEI. I want to keep the stock tach. Thanks.

 

there are a number of companies that offer a conversion kit for your factory distributor. ignitor and crane are a couple that i have used and had great luck. im sure if you look around on the forum for info on point conversions you will find all the info you will need.

as far as you intake and carb question, well, sky is the limit. different strokes for different folks kinda thing. i have always had great luck with q-jet carbs over the years. the spread bore design works well with a dual plane intake. lots of good range. great for a driver. plus all your factory linkages, breather and such fit right into place.

or, you might consider the optional intake and carb set up offered as an add on to the 330 hp crate engine. im sure they have matched them well for the application.

 

The 350/330 (HO) long block has iron GM Vortec heads, and that limits you a little, but there are still plenty to choose from.

Clearance under your hood is going to limit you too. For example, an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap won't even come close to fitting under my stock hood. I don't remember the exact figures, but I remember figuring out that the Edelbrock Performer RPM our son had wouldn't fit without using an air filter <3" high. I have a 350 HO (330 HP) GM crate in my '80. Even the notes for the Edelbrock Perform Vortec intake say, "Will not fit under stock Corvette hood." I'm not sure if I have the standard GMPP dual plane intake or the low-rise, but my 3" air cleaner comes pretty close to my stock hood. (I can check you want me to.)

The other factor to consider is what RPM range do you plan to use. I don't see the sense of using an intake designed for 1500-6500 RPM (like the Edelbrock RPM Performer) if you occasionally hit redline (5500 on the HO long block) and otherwise stay in the 2000-4000 range. An intake designed for idle-5700 will work just fine.

Another factor is what other parts you're going to put on your long block such as distributor, water neck, alternator, A/C, etc. Read the fine print for each intake.

As for carb, you don't need to go CFM-crazy with the HO long block. The 350 HO Deluxe in my car came with a 600 CFM Holley. I have a custom dual exhaust with no cats and full length headers, so my car "breathes out" pretty well. The 600 CFM Holley flows enough air for my driving style (a little heavy-footed, but not I don't smoke the tires - much ), but stock jets didn't flow enough gas. I up'ed them by 6 sizes.

If I had added my own parts to a 350 HO long block, I would have bought a carb in the 650-700 CFM range just because I habitually overbuild anything when I have the choice.

 

Professional Products lowrise dualplane Intake P/N 52007 ... will fit both spreadbore QJet & squarebore Holley & Vortec heads ... & fit under 69's relatively low sb hood ... ~$124 @ Star (it's a rather well-made asian clone of EB vortec performer P/N 2116).

Star HEI Dist WITH TACH DRIVE P/N 9200TDR ... will fit vortec crate & run 69's OE mech tach ... ~ $180 @ Star (it's a rather well-made asian clone of conventional coil-in-cap GM HEI but has mech tach drive).

Star Performance 1-800-625-9454 ( no I'm not affiliated w/ Star)