[michealdo]

Hi guys im kinda new to the forum. I have a 72 Chevelle Malibu. I just have some engine questions.

What i have,
-SBC 350 bored .60 over - i got it bored, honed, decked with the connecting rods, crank shaft and that all re-worked
-flat pistons
-196 double hump heads that were rebuilt when i got them
-solid lifters
-very small comp cams flat tappet cam
-650cfm Carter carb
-i think its a typhoon intake
-rocker rollers
-short tube headers
i was told im running about 10:1 compression

What im looking for is to have a good strong motor that can be driven often on street as well as interstate cruises. But i would like to have that power when i put my foot into it she moves and if im slow enough she spins the tires.

Questions....
Should i go to long tube headers?
Cam Brand and Size Recommendation?
Should i get a bigger carb? if so what brand and size
Should i get a different intake?
What octane do i need to run for best performance? leaded? unleaded?
Any suggestions?

Thanks very much

 

[JC396]

You'll get some really experienced advise but they will need to know more...
Trans type?...manual or auto...stock convertor....gear ratio...tire size
Sounds like you got a good start.
The others will chime in about cam, intarke, and carb recommendations.
You'll never go wrong with some decent headers...I like Headman but I'm sure there are others that will fit well and not cause problems.
jim

 

[michealdo]

Its a stock turbo 350 with a 1600-2000 converter. has nonposi 3.08 rear end with standard tires. Is there anything else im missing? And so long tube headers would be better than the short tube headers?

Thanks again

 

[Tom Mobley]

long tube headers are better for power but shorties are a LOT easier to work with.

what happens now when you punch it? with a peg-leg rear I'd guess it would smoke one rear tire forever. If it doesn't you probably have tuning issues that need to be sorted out before getting into the parts swapping deal.

Have a timing light?

 

[Guest]

What's your SMALL solid lifter cam??

An Isky Z-20 or the small Crower is small by me.

pdq67

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[Tom Mobley]

So Paul,

what was the point of that post I just dumpstered?

maybe you should take a little vacation from Chevelles until you remember why you post here?

 

[michealdo]

Well from a stop i can spin if for a bit but then she hooks up. i know the rear end is weak, but i am looking to invest into a 12 bolt instead of a 10 bolt and 3.55 posi. I do not have a timing light. my grandpa and uncle built the motor for me. i am young and dont know how to do much YET. but i have been learning. i know they were hooking up to a spark plug wire with like a paperclip and doing something for timing. also they had bought a cam that just didnt seem to work. we couldnt get it to idle so we went down smaller. but now i want to go bigger again. the problem was vaccume. i also have installed an extra vaccume canister from compcams to help that out. also for the timing is there a way you can send me instructions on how to do it right. im just trying to learn as much as i can. thanks again

 

[cv67]

Is the typhoon a dual plane intake? a 600-650 carb would work fine, cam keep around [email protected], under 230 for sure. If you could get some bowl work done it would pick them up some for not much and youd have a fun driver.(Even an old isky 270S) 1-5/8 inch primary headers, dual 2.5" exhaust. Should make over 300hp with decent torque. Im assuming youll upgrade to the 3.55 gear and leave the converter in? A little bigger converter would help but you can do that at any time.

Youll hear a million different opinoins on this as theres just as many ways to build up a 350.

 

[michealdo]

its a dual plane. and i already have 2.5 dual exhaust with glass packs. and what is bowl work? and what converter would be best?

 

[Guest]

Bttt.

What small cam?

pdq67

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[69bu]

I think what Paul is trying to say is that we need to know the specs on the cam to recommend a stall converter for your combo.

I would really check your timing and maybe check your valve lash.

Do a search on ignition timing and I am sure it will turn up some good info.

3.55 gears would be an improvement over the 3.08s.

 

[michealdo]

here is the specs.

http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamSpecPrinterFriendly.aspx?csid=219

if that doesnt work tell me what specs. you want and i will post them

its comp cams part # 12-222-4

i was told that with comp cams they use a gross lift or duration. and that when you have the gross number you need to minus another number to get the actual cam numbers.
i mean how mild is this cam?
what other options are there?
and what brand?
should i switch to an hydraulic cam?
what are the major benefits or down falls?

 

[Guest]

Ah, the old 270S, a good DD solid lifter cam for a mild engine, imho.

pdq67

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[Tom Mobley]

that's a mild street cam. if you want the net lift you have to subtract the valve lash, close enough. no biggie.

 

[Tom Mobley]

you need to be aware of the stuff addressed in the oil sticky topic at the top of this section. you're engine could be damaged by the stuff discussed there.

 

[michealdo]

yeah thanks a lot. do you think it would benefit me to go to a slightly bigger cam?

 

[michealdo]

thanks. i was wondering what type of mufflers would you run for performance and sound? also i was thinking maybe if i got better heads i could make more performance. what would you recommend for my set up?

 

[richietables]

Going to the 3.55 and maybe to a 700r4 would do wonders and you can leave the engine alone! Even just a 700r4. Hotter 1st gear by quite a bit and great OD on the highway. Just my .02

 

[michealdo]

i know this is going to sound like a dumb question but what is a 700R4?
thanks for all the help everyoe

 

[Highway Star]

i know this is going to sound like a dumb question but what is a 700R4?
thanks for all the help everyoe

700R4 is an overdrive transmission. Like what was stated, it has a nice set of gear ratios in it that help with both better acceleration and lower cruising RPM. I am pretty sure though, that it is not a direct bolt-in.