Prefix: 1971 SB 350ci/270hp 4 speed TH400. Engine internals or torque converter stall speed unknown.

So a couple weeks ago I asked what would you do if you had a $5,000 budget: redo the engine or go with a 5 speed trans upgrade.

Well, as many said, check with the wife first. Reality has set in that our house needs a new roof and our 12 year old mattress needs replacing. So my budget has been severely cut, though I haven't been given a dollar amount (she asked me house much I wanted to spend). It's probably got to be under $2,000.

So while there are a couple things I could do cosmetically, rechrome front gills and a new luggage rack, I'd like to do something with the motor. My multi-year goal is someday to make it a 383 with a 5 speed manual. However for now, it's going to remain a 350 4 speed auto.

So here's the question that been asked 100's of times on this forum, what top end kit would be best for me?

My goals:
1 - heads should have the correct temp sensor hole or some other alternative way to connect the temp sensor.

2 - I keep reading AFR 195cc Eliminator heads are the best I can get for a SBC. If I went with these top-of-the-line heads for my 350, when I move to a 383 will they still be the best for that setup or will I be dumping more money into slightly different heads? If I spent $14-1500 on heads they'd better be completely re-usable with my future 383.

3 - Torque over HP. Since I have an auto, my RPMs never get up in the 4's and 5's much. So for now I'd prefer more low end torque over top HP.

4 - I'd like to stay with my Q-Jet as I had it completely restored, so spread-bore intake.

5 - It's going to be a street machine only

6 - replace my ram horn exhaust with some ceramic coated headers for my new, rear 2-1/2 exhaust (MagnaFlow mufflers)

7 - aluminum intake that fits a drop-base cleaner and will fit under the LT1/BB hood.


Complete list of items needed:
* cam shaft (roller?)
* lifters (hydraulic roller?)
* rockers (roller?)
* heads
* replace ram horn exhaust with headers
* intake (spreadbore) that fits a SB with the LT1 hood.

I can wrench with anybody, but engines I know very little about other than what I've read in my David Vizard books on engine rebuilds and heads. With all of the options out there (Jegs & Summit) that I see, my head is spinning.

Or do I just give in and get the Edelbrock top end kits?

 

Personally I would spend it on all the stuff you can hide, roller cam, nice distributor under the chrome cover, double roller. I don't know if you mentioned going deep in the motor; but rods and custom pistons are always fun. A million ways to go about it for sure; but I would focus most on a nice roller cam.

 

Afr 195's might be a hair on the large side for a 350, but would work well on a 383. Hydraulic roller well worth the money. Headers and exhaust are a must, and should probably be first or at the same time. Match the cam shaft to the givin compression an rpm range. Match the intake to the heads and cam. The heads and cam alone if you go roller, will put you over or close to 2000$.

 

But if you are not planning the 383 for a long time, and you want low end torque that you can enjoy in a street car in the meantime, then your recipe should include smaller aluminum heads, like 180's or 185's; and a smallish to medium cam. Be honest about your planned rpm range for street use- will the vette spend 90% of it time at about 4000 rpm or less? You may also consider adding steeper rear end gears, for more grunt off the line.

 

Smallish cam and the 180s would be a sweet setup many overlook the 180s and get caught up in big/more. For a mild L48 that would be my choice.
Bet it would slaughter the Eddy kit even with "smaller parts".

If you want a 383 do it now rather than hoping things work out Ok then swapping over. 383 could use a piston that may not like the CC chamber on the heads you want to use now.
383-195 head

 

.the right heads and cam can make good power .I like the AFR with the correct roller cam to meet your power needs.talk to Gary Heddin at magnum super chargers about his street motors.he has built motors that people have him build but they don't pay for ,so he sells them for a great price.763-753-6671.he is old school and very cool.

 

For under $2000.00 you can't even begin to buy " new ", AFR heads , hydraulic roller cam, roller rockers, intake manifold, exhaust system.

 

First thing I would is Relace the th400 with a 5 speed and a rear end change 3.55/1 on up. go with a stroker kit for low torque and then save for more upgrades