hey everyone...i'm 16 on a minimum wage budget...so keep that in mind. i have a 70 malibu with a 350, TH350 tranny. i restored it to stock and have now decided i need more power. i was thinking about a crate motor, but it will take me years to save up the money. should i go with bolt on (headers, 4barrel, etc.) and put in a new cam....or should i save money on the piece by piece and drop in a built 383 stroker. keep in mind its an automatic with 323 gears and stock 10 bolt rearend. so anyone out there who knows their stuff, tell me the best bang for the buck with bolt on and a cam (duration, lift??)...or if i'm better off starting from scratch. thanks a million...Brian

First of all welcome to the best place on the internet for Chevelle stuff!!!

There might be better reponse if you post this in the Bench Racing section as it is more of an area for open discussion on 'what works'. No big deal.

The following is just my opinion, make sure you look at a lot of the options and see what is best for you.
I kinda know where you are coming from, my first car at age 16 was a 71 malibu with a 350/350. I found it very hard to save the big bucks for motors so I worked with what I had.

I think start with what is in your budget and work from there. Each step up will likely cost you more, but at least you can enjoy along the way.
Is your car a 4barrel? If not that is the first thing I would do. Converting the stock distributor to HEI is good thing to do for a reliable driver. Headers/dual exhaust adds some performace and a great sound to your car. After that (or at any time) switching to a different gear set for the rear end will make a big difference. But remember, the bigger the gear, the more gas milage will suffer. Along the way, be sure to learn everything you can about tuning your engine and carb.

Good luck and have fun!

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Ron Cook TC Gold Member #1276
1969 300 Deluxe HTSS396 69 300 Deluxe (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied2.jpg) 325HP L35 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied3.jpg) 69memorylane (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied.jpg) 1971 Malibu 2DR HT
"Supporting all car hobbyists, even those with different cars, is what being a true enthusiast is all about."

Best bang for your buck is to find a 4.10 posi 10/12 bolt for $500 (12 bolt) or under.

Then stick a comp cam 268xe in your 350, get some headers/exhaust and a performer intake.

That should wake it up for under $1000.

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Joe Yoder
Itsa ME! (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Joe_Y.jpg)
My 68 malibu (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Joe_Y68pt1.jpg)
67 Coronet
99 Durango
Bloomington/Normal (and sometimes Joliet), IL

I have to play with my toys.

the way i would do it would be first intake, carb, headers, HEI good flowing mufflers. you have ok gears to work with maybe not the best but better then 2.73.so i would stick with them if its posi.if not then i would change the rear to a posi .but if your only looking to play but still drive the car everyday stay below 3.55 gears .then i would get a stall converter get one that works with the cam you pick. 2200-2500 is a good start. but ask around after you figer out how fast you want to go and how much and far you want to drive the car.