Ok fellas,, here's the deal.
I'm going to tear my '73 L48 down to a short block, with just the crank left in, and build it up from there, with all new parts (possibly rebuilt heads). I would like the finished product to run Reasonably Smooth, want the torque to hit about 2000 to 4500 RPM, and want to use aluminum heads. As much horsepower as the rebuilt lower end can Safely handle, w/o excess wear and i like a smoother tone. My budget is about $1500, and i can find ANY head from the wrecking yards around here, or can buy new. Gimme the parts!!! This will be fun

 

Brodix IK180 heads, comp XE262 or Engle 1018H cam or similar short duration cam and Performer intake.

 

Any idea what HP the combo will make? Thanks. C.

 

A conservative 300 crank HP, assuming aggressive timing curve and tuning.

 

How many miles does the engine have? I would at very least do a light hone and install new rings and bearings... Then again it all depends on how many miles the engine has. If it has very many miles you might want to look at boring the block .030 and throwing a set of Hypereutectic pistons. If your are looking at aluminum heads, you budget is too small and your only option IMHO would be L98 heads. Problem is your budget does not allow for much money to "rework" the heads. If you want to stick to something close to your budget ditch the aluminum head idea. Yes, they are lighter than cast iron, but produce less HP than cast iron. Money in aluminum heads is better spent in a roller cam.

To TRY to fit within your budget, I would recommend that you buy some Dart Iron Eagle 180cc heads from Terry Rosebush Motorsports off of ebay. He currently has an auction for set of 62cc heads the item# on ebay is #110290703204. These are bare castings that were blems but have been repaired by his machine shop. What this business does is they buy all of darts blems, repair them, and sell. The guy I talked to over the phone says they've sold over 200 of their dart sets and have not had 1 come back. I would then go to summit a buy a set of their 2.02 and 1.60 race valves (part #SUM-V8002-8 and #SUM-V8010-8). For a cam, I would look into GMPP's LT4 hot cam kit (Part number at summit is NAL-12480002). You will need new lifters. I would consider looking at TFS (Summit Part #TFS-21400003). To top it off, I would be looking at Edelbrock's Performer RPM intake and a Holley 650 DP and/or equivalent. I'd look on eBay for those items. Yes, it is over budget, but you should have a smooth engine with enough grunt to satisfy your needs.

Approx. budget totals: $1,907
$500 - bare heads shipped
$580 - LT4 Hot Cam Kit
$127 - Summit Race Valves
$400 - Hyd. Roller Lifters
$100 - Intake Manifold
$200 - Carb

If you decide you don't want the Iron Eagle heads.. Maybe look into some cast iron vortec heads.. The combustion chambers are approx 58cc? They are more readily available. However, the 2.02 valves are a must. Take them to machine shop and have the heads reworked.. You may be looking at $250 for the labor and maybe a couple hundred for the heads.

 

Have u even tried to tune it for performace yet. What are u using for a timing curve? Whats your intial timing? What is your full advance and at what RPM? What is your idle vacuum and what vacuum advance can are u using? How did u set your mixture for cruise and WOT - not just idle? I don't read any of this in your post or your profile.

I can't help anyone that can't tune thier car for performance. Just too many horror stories here - every week. As even with new big $$$ parts if u can't tune it stock u can't tune with hi-po parts.

Tuning takes very little $$$, just some patience. U can install all best heads and cam u can afford but without the correct tune u might even slow down. Sorry but too many wasted efforts here that would have been better off without changing anything but the timing and mixture. And there's alot of power to improve from the stock smog tune setting (maybe 30hp).

I don't want to bust your bubble Running Man, just don't want to read another failed effort by a sincere C3 enthusist here.
Gett'er tuned and i'll try my best to help,
cardo0

 

tuning is, in fact pretty easy, but the motor is stock, so it's got 190 HP, and i like the idea of aluminum heads, so i like the Brodix idea. I don't see all the variables, I see a stock 2 bolt main motor, with lousy designed heads that sre iron. We've pulled the pan and inspected the bearings, they are in exellent condition, and it *apears* the bottom end was rebuilt recently, as you can see the hone on the cylinders, and has good compression all around. what i would like is suggestion for a complete parts set that will work well together and get me into the 300+ HP range. that should buy me 100+ HP,, and about 70+lbs aluminum heads weight savings, right int he center of the car,, which can't get by tuning. so what are your parts suggestions? So far i like the Brodix heads,, etc,, any opinions on these?

 

Another option is the scroggins dickey Vortec kit, heads, intake and cam for about $1000.

Have done the Brodix top end for a few guys who really like their car now.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Good info to work with. I am going to go with aluminum heads, Probably the Brodix,, thanks for the part numbers. C.

 

A '73 block is not a Roller Cam block... You can't run the LT4
Hot Cam or the Hydraulic Roller Lifters in it... the above combo
is for a Roller Block of 1987 or newer vintage.

 

If tuning is so easy why can't u tell me what your timing curve is? What dist springs did u install? What metering rods are u using in your Qjet or what jets in your Holley? You say you have good compression but failed to post your comression numbers too. How may miles on engine?

So u want help but don't provide any info. You sound more like some writer for a hi-po mag phishing for some elses hard earn info here.

Well with only your generic info I can only provide generic help that i know will work with any C3 sb. Try Edelbrock Performer heads #60899 and since i'm guessing u have stock exhaust Comp Cams XE262 cam & lifter kit #CS XE262H-10 CAM LIFT KT. Toss in and Edelbrock Air Gap maniforld and that would wake up any stock 350".

Truthfully myself i choose only one part a time so i can match them up for what i really have to use.

Good luck and good bye,
cardo0

 

Increase your B12 vitamin absorption.

 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...1&autoview=sku

 

For around 630 dollars you can use ProCom aluminum
heads. They seem decent and I think they are sold by a forum member.
Here is a link to ebay for those heads..then you would have more then enough for a decent cam.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-C...mZ260361635213