need some help figuring out realistic engine choices

[formula]

I have a pretty bad oil leak on the back of my intake, so since I have to pull my manifold anyway, I'm thinking about going ahead and tearing off my heads at the same time to try to get some decent power out of my motor. Here's what I have right now.

-small block 350
-demon 650 carb
-performer rpm intake
-longtube headers

everything else is stock, so i would presume it's the same specs as a 78 camaro, which means a compression ratio of around 8.2 to one. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the specs are as far as combustion chambers or piston dish sizes, though.

I'd like to get that up to a much more respectable ratio but still be able to run on 89 octane gas. I'm fine with iron heads, but would like to go aluminum as long as they're still affordable. I'll also probably go ahead and swap out my camshaft to match the new heads better. I'm also considering swapping to an air-gap intake.

I also was kinda thinking of going with really small combustion chambers, like 54cc, to really boost up my compression. Can anybody help me figure out how high my comp ratio would end up being if I went this route?

otherwise, can anybody help reccomend some heads and a cam? I'm not looking for crazy horsepower, just a nice jump from the 200-ish i have now. It needs to be mild mannered and very streetable, still.

[jay web]

formula - check your pm's

[speedster]

formula -
Don't know if this is in your budget or not, but this is quite the deal.
By the time you price your parts and labor, this may be cheaper. (And most definately better)


Nelson Racing Engines "Racer's Special" 355 CUBIC INCH CHEVY - 400 HP+!!!

I had Nelson Racing Engines of Chatsworth build me a smallblock chevy for my Nova, but I ran out of money...sold the car. THIS MOTOR IS NEW COMPLETE LONGBLOCK - it's still in the plastic it came in! Nelson Racing Engines builds some of the baddest motors around. They were even featured on Discovery Channel's American Hot Rod. Their website is www.nelsonracingengines.com. They will confirm they built the motor, whats in it, and that it has never been run. The motor is a built 400hp+ street motor that can easily be coverted to make more power by swapping cams. My loss is your gain - I paid $5200 and will sacrifice for $3500/obo.


*********************************
ENGINE SPECS
*********************************
355 CUBIC INCH CHEVY 400 HP+
NEW 1 PIECE REAR MAIN 4 BOLT CHEVY BLOCK
NEW FORGED STEEL GM CRANKSHAFT 3.48 STROKE
NEW 4340 FORGED I BEAM RODS
NEW PROBE FORGED 4.030 FLAT TOP PISTONS
CAMSHAFT HYRAULIC FLAT TAPPET .230 AT .050
CLEVITE ENGINE BEARINGS
SPEED-PRO RINGS
FEL-PRO HEAD GASKETS
NEW GM VORTEC CYL HEADS
ALL NEW HARDWARE
DOUBLE ROLLER TIMING CHAIN
FULLY BALANCED AND BLUEPRINTED


Email your phone number and questions to [email protected] I live in Carlsbad, North San Diego County. - Mike

[rumblee]

vortec heads would do nicely on a budget. check out http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com for some options on those heads. better deals might be had elsewhere though.

oh wait. is this a pontiac motor? if so disregard everything i just typed.

[streetk14]

Is this a pontiac or chevy engine?

[SStrokerAce]

Sounds like you almost want a LT1 with the 54cc chambers?

Bret

[formula]

ooops sorry yeah this is on one of dem dere chevalay motuhs.