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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
No its not a waste of money. The heads alone if there decent to really good heads will add power. When I first did the top end of my l48, I was on short term disability for my leg from work so I couldn't afford to do it all, so I went heads and intake, the difference was large, not huge but way better, next i installed 1.6 rockers which was better then I went cam. Do your self a favor and don't skimp on the head, ok cam and good head still makes decent power.
DO MA NEU!
DO MA NEU!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
It depends upon the characteristics of the heads, but generally, yes, you can improve performance with just a set of better flowing heads. You'll feel the improvement more in the midrange up to the limit of the camshaft, which for an L-82 is nothing to sneeze at. What you want to look for are heads that have good mid-lift flow over a just big number at max lift. Do not go cheap. Companies, like AFR, Brodix, Edelbrock, Dart and others do a lot of R&D on their heads and will give you the most in performance, value and quality. The cheap heads tend to be not much more than an aluminum version of the old tech factory head and have quality and performance issues. There is a reason they are cheap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
do it! the cam is fine . 64 cc heads with the right gasket puts you right at 10-1 compression, it wakes up the engine a bunch. you can use 1.6 roller rockers and take advantage of the extra flow of the new heads. it is a very drivable combination . then get your timing curve set up. with subtle differences it is what i have.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
If originality is not your goal, you might as well replace the factory intake with something a bit more contemporary. If your state doesn't smog test, you can eliminate the egr with an Edelbrock 2101 Performer (or similar). Accepts Q-jet and square bore carbs and outflows the L-82 stocker by a bunch. Gerry72 was correct about the L-82 cam, lots of duration, but a little wimpy on the lift at .450/.460". 1.6 roller tips are a big and simple improvement.
Last edited by pacecar620; Sep 30, 2014 at 06:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
whoever told you that is full of crap, that cam has plenty of duration and lift. the 1.6 rockers bump the lift up too.
i agree on the intake an R.P.M air gap works great.
the cam in the L-82 is the same as the old 350 h.p 350 and is capable of 400 horsepower with the right matching parts. it is the most popular small block cam chevy made for over 20 years . pay no attention to whoever told you that, they obviously don't know what an L-82 is.
i agree on the intake an R.P.M air gap works great.
the cam in the L-82 is the same as the old 350 h.p 350 and is capable of 400 horsepower with the right matching parts. it is the most popular small block cam chevy made for over 20 years . pay no attention to whoever told you that, they obviously don't know what an L-82 is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Having played around a good bit with the L82 before BB'ing my '78, I'm going to go with the general consensus here that you should opt for some modern 64'ish cc aluminum heads and install a set of 1.6 rockers on your L82 cam (or, you might do your tDCR homework and shop modern grinds while you're at it). However, before tearing into it at least do a compression test, if not a leak-down, to check that your short block is healthy.
If you don't already have them, you need headers, period. And, whatever you might do about an intake (Performer RPM or Air-Gap), don't choke that mill down with an undersized carb. NO, 750 CFM isn't too big for a hi-perf 350 SBC. (IMHO those 650s are best left to weenie, low-RPM/MPG builds.) Nothing against a well tuned QJ, but I'd probably make that carb a Holley type DP if you have a stick. My $.02
TSW
If you don't already have them, you need headers, period. And, whatever you might do about an intake (Performer RPM or Air-Gap), don't choke that mill down with an undersized carb. NO, 750 CFM isn't too big for a hi-perf 350 SBC. (IMHO those 650s are best left to weenie, low-RPM/MPG builds.) Nothing against a well tuned QJ, but I'd probably make that carb a Holley type DP if you have a stick. My $.02
TSW
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
[QUOTE=TheSkunkWorks;1587946216]Having played around a good bit with the L82 before BB'ing my '78, I'm going to go with the general consensus here that you should opt for some modern 64'ish cc aluminum heads and install a set of 1.6 rockers on your L82 cam (or, you might do your tDCR homework and shop modern grinds while you're at it). However, before tearing into it at least do a compression test, if not a leak-down, to check that your short block is healthy.
If you don't already have them, you need headers, period. And, whatever you might do about an intake (Performer RPM or Air-Gap), don't choke that mill down with an undersized carb. NO, 750 CFM isn't too big for a hi-perf 350 SBC. (IMHO those 650s are best left to weenie, low-RPM/MPG builds.) Nothing against a well tuned QJ, but I'd probably make that carb a Holley type DP if you have a stick. My $.02
choose the heads wisely, bigger isn't always better and you'll see power gains with or without header. Although I do agree, you will be leaving a lot of power on the table. Let your budget be your guiding force and heads IMO are the best investment to start with!
If you don't already have them, you need headers, period. And, whatever you might do about an intake (Performer RPM or Air-Gap), don't choke that mill down with an undersized carb. NO, 750 CFM isn't too big for a hi-perf 350 SBC. (IMHO those 650s are best left to weenie, low-RPM/MPG builds.) Nothing against a well tuned QJ, but I'd probably make that carb a Holley type DP if you have a stick. My $.02
choose the heads wisely, bigger isn't always better and you'll see power gains with or without header. Although I do agree, you will be leaving a lot of power on the table. Let your budget be your guiding force and heads IMO are the best investment to start with!