oil pan 4

iTrader: (1)

I am building up my 305 a little. I am wanting better torque I can use every time I can drive and not looking for the large horse power numbers that rarely get used, want to keep the great drive ability I have, make it better and I want to keep most of; if not improve my good high way fuel economy (26 to 27 mpg).
So far I have put in an edelbrook 650 carb, converted to electric fans, electric cooling pump and put a high flow 180 thermostat in there and that is about it engine wise.
I have an edelbrook RPM performer air-gap (PN 7501), I got it real cheap several years ago back when I wanted to drop in a big hp 350-400cu.in sbc. I know I am not doing that now but I would still like to use it. I was also going to work out some way to get cold air fed to the carb.
I have some used headers, I think they are headman shorty street style headers with 1 5/8 collectors. I was also going to try and fab up some duel exhaust.
I have a set of 10088113 aluminum vette heads with the D exhaust ports that are stock besides being resurfaced and selecting my own springs, retainers and locks. I was looking at using k-motion K-700 springs shimmed for about 120lb or more of seat pressure and some where around 330 to 370lb of open force depending on the cam and shims I go with.
I was planning on getting a set of Howard cams Roller retro fit lifters (with proper push rods) and fairly mild cam like what GM uses in their ZZ4/350HO with 1.6 roller lifters. Or some other short duration cam to produce .5'' or so lift. I am thinking bigger than a 276 grind is too much.
What cam should I get? (I like the TFS roller cam with 270*/276* avd dur and.452"/.465" lift on clearace for $120)
How does that sound?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Get the GMPP ZZ4/LT4 springs, drop in fit on 113's; good for .525
Under $40 set of 16 .
The lightweight LT4 retainers (#12495492 ) are only $20

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=24732
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM-Performance...oductId=761647

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I'll start at the end and work my way through it back from the top.
Pretty much a very bad mis-match.

It's good to establish the priorities up front. I think you'll be severely disappointed, as I hope to show.

Very bad move. The stock computer q-jet is superior to the Edelbrock in every way, and especially for fuel economy.

Okay, but a 195 thermostat would be better for fuel economy. Most electric water pumps aren't intended for continuous street use. It's one thing the factory hasn't resorted to, if that means anything.

The Performer or a stock intake would be better.

A stock L69 dual snorkel air cleaner with scoops and ducts would do fine. Or, make your own dual snorkel (tech article).

That would be 1-5/8" primary tubes and 3" collectors. No more than 2.5" pipes if going duals (won't help meet your goals considering the hassle to get it routed - 3" single routed in the stock location would be fine).
Heads are okay. I've never seen glowing reports of K-Motion springs. Overkill for a low-RPM torque economy engine. Keep the spring pressure down to only what is necessary to reduce internal engine friction/parasitic power loss.

As a formerly-active TGO member used to say, "a lot of maze for very little cheese". Unless you're starting with a roller block, just get a good flat-tappet cam. The ZZ4 is hardly a "fuel economy" cam.

A Comp Xtreme Energy cam like XE258 or XE262 would keep the torque and economy up. There is probably something better out there.

oil pan 4

iTrader: (1)

Ahh, thanks on the cam. I really wasn't sure where to go.
I had never thought about good torque and good fuel economy cam untill here lately.
I like those 258 and 262 grinds much better, short duration good lift. I didn't look at enough cams.
Since I didn't get that intake manifold for this build what would be good?
I have had good results with boosting power and fuel economy in the past with improving cool air flow into the engine. I would like to stick with an air-gap type manifold.
I couldn't keep the Q-jet, when I got the car it wasn't running, I didn't have a whole lot of money, the Q-jet was pretty far gone and was the main problem. The 650 was like new and basicly free. When I got the car gas was $1.50/gal and the correct thing to do back then with a camaro was to drop in a 350 or 383. Current US political climate could send gas prices in to the 3 to 4 dollar range real easy.
I was planning on trying a 195 thermostat again. I put the 180 in there because I always had problems with preignition with regular gas in the summer even with cooler heat range spark plugs and no matter how I changed the timing. I think it was from hot air, hot fuel, hot intake manifold and hot carb. Since I installed the 180F I have not had any preignition problems what so ever.
For the exhaust I was going to likely stick with 2.25'' inch pipes, that should be plenty for a 5L.