73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 85ChevyJRF on April 28, 2009, 11:06:19 pm
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I've been thinkin about building a 350 .40 over with dome pistons but i've never built one so I need to know what kind of pistons and cam and crank and heads and all that good stuff ya know but i'll prob just use a set of double hump heads that have a little work but just let me know what I need to use. I got a carb and headers and valve covers already
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it depends on what you are going to use if for--daily driver, gas mileage, pulling, compression ratio (87 octance or higher) etc...
There are websites that will match whatever cam with whatever intake. Do some research on the edelbrock website and sites that manufacture cams and the like.
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We'll need as many details as you can give us about your powertrain configuration as well as what sgtdel said, what's your goal and intended usage. Domed pistons on a small block usually is unecessary and not a good idea. A decent set of heads even the popular inexpensive vortec heads have improved flow and combustion chamber design that beats out the old school methods of making power. Give us more info
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Like Vile said, avoid dome pistons whenever possible, as they interfere with effective flame propagation. Using them on a BBC represents a compromise necessary to satisfy compression requirements inside such large combustion chambers; it does not mean they are necessarily performance-enhancing parts. A much better solution would be to have 64cc heads decked or go with an aftermarket 50cc chamber head from EQ, Dart, or RHS, and then run flat top pistons. But this is only necessary if you want much more than 10:1 CR (not necessarily a good idea on pump gas).
Here is a good guide for selecting a cam: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0607phr_camshaft_basics/index.html (it was written by a very respected engine builder, not just a PHR editor).
Here is an excellent resource I'd recommend to anyone considering building their own performance SBC: http://www.amazon.com/Build-Performance-Blocks-Budget-Design/dp/1884089348 .
I cannot offer you advice from a personal perspective though, as I have never built my own engine either. I just have alot of book-smarts on the topic...at least I think they're book-smarts, LOL. If you don't want to go it on your own with resources like the ones I have mentioned, listen to the more experienced guys, like Vile. They won't steer you wrong.
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I want a ground thumping very nicely cammed motor that runs on 92 or 93 octane but still makes enough power to where I can run pretty good at the strip.
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Check out this build for inspiration.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0710phr_small_block_engine_build/index.html
Also if you decide to grab a set of vortec heads you could build something along these lines.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/smallblock/0611em_vortec_small_block/index.html
The only thing is both of these build utilized a late model block so lifters will be alot more expensive (in the neighborhood of $450-500) for the early block retro-fit type.