Thread: 87 350 tbi engine id

Tweet

Originally posted by vanman
engine code 638(has v0721tpa on block as well)
heads 14102193
any opinions on if its worth building to around 400hp
i plan on switching to carb

193 heads are swirl port casting, and they'll flow really well if you clean up the ports (both intake + exhaust), smooth the sharp edges on the intake port ramp, and backcut the valves.

A Thirdgen.org owner (Fast355) ported a set from a car and flowed 224 cfm intake, 214 cfm exhaust, dyno'd 279 rwhp (around 330-340 fwhp) using an LT1 Fcar roller camshaft, and ran 15.7 in the quarter mile in a 5300 lb Chevy van (G20). To put that in perspective, that's low 13s in a Camaro. He used the stock sbc TBI, so he lost some power there because it showed a significant pressure drop across it at WOT, so there would have been more power with either a carb or a bigger TBI unit. His total cost on the rebuild (for the entire engine) was under $1000.

See the main thread here:

http://thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthre...hreadid=283217

You'll have to go to www.mortec.com for the block casting numbers.

If you are shooting for a low-cost build, then yes it's not a bad place to start and the engine should run well from idle to 5000 rpm due to the fast-burn cylinder heads (GM called them that in the 1980s)... but you won't make 400 hp UNLESS you port the heads and use a reasonable cam (something over 220 deg duration). Check to see if the block uses flat tappet (truck block) or roller (passenger car) before you order a new cam.

If you were building something more excessive and expensive then I'd say no -- don't bother with production heads. For that I would suggest starting with Vortec heads + mating manifold, or AFR heads. You will spend more $$$ on these, but there is no porting involved. Which way you go depends on your spend plan and how much DIY effort you want to put in. HTH.