331 curiousity
04-01-2009, 05:47 PM
#21
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 74
Well, I appreciate all the input.
The deal is, I'm on a college students budget, and I got the heads (which have the 2.02 valves btw) basically for free with the car. I know they aren't top of the line, but I have to admit that I'm a little skeptical of them being as aweful as some of you seem to think. but I'm sure you know better than me. :-)
Fact of the matter is, I don't have an extra 1200 to get a set of AFR's. The only reason that I'm considering the stroker is cause I am starting to hear engine noises that I am afraid are going to lead me down the road of doing a rebuild anyway. So I was wondering whether it would be worth my while to go with a stroker build rather than just a standard 306 (as was suggested).
Would it be better to just build a 306 if i'm going to stick w/ my "pathetic" heads? :-P
The deal is, I'm on a college students budget, and I got the heads (which have the 2.02 valves btw) basically for free with the car. I know they aren't top of the line, but I have to admit that I'm a little skeptical of them being as aweful as some of you seem to think. but I'm sure you know better than me. :-)
Fact of the matter is, I don't have an extra 1200 to get a set of AFR's. The only reason that I'm considering the stroker is cause I am starting to hear engine noises that I am afraid are going to lead me down the road of doing a rebuild anyway. So I was wondering whether it would be worth my while to go with a stroker build rather than just a standard 306 (as was suggested).
Would it be better to just build a 306 if i'm going to stick w/ my "pathetic" heads? :-P
04-01-2009, 06:52 PM
#22
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 3,926
To the OP........ Edelbrock Performers are heads (barely IMO) for a 302 setup. If you are building a stump puller 347 based on what you've got, I would rather upgrade to a 306/308 instead of a stroker, and spend whatever saved in a good set of heads/cam combo. Here are two 306 real life setup examples for you to look at:
1. 306 engine, Vic Jr heads, Weiand Xcelerator single plane intake, 650 Holley DP, CI custom cam, T5 transmission, 4.10 gears, daily driver with A/C, P/S and P/B operational, 3250 lbs. weight
11.31 ET @118 MPH shifting at 6,500 RPM's and +20 MPG on its daily use.
2. 1983 vert, 306 engine Canfield 195cc heads, Vic Jr. intake, Holley 750HP carburetor, CI custom cam, T5 transmission, all accessories operational, 17" hg, of vacuum from the engine idling, gears are 3.73 or 4.10.......
11.40 ET @117 MPH
Yep.... big torque loss, very high RPM's....... NOT....
.
If you feel like spending good money in a stroker SBF, and then choking the capability of that engine configuration with those heads.... YCYDYP. Torque is important, but torque x RPM's is what performance is really about.... and I do not mean
peak HP numbers BTW.... it's all a matter of knowing/understanding how to do it, and with your college student budget limitations (BTSTDT....
)...... not guessing, is a real budget oriented practice. LUK
1. 306 engine, Vic Jr heads, Weiand Xcelerator single plane intake, 650 Holley DP, CI custom cam, T5 transmission, 4.10 gears, daily driver with A/C, P/S and P/B operational, 3250 lbs. weight
11.31 ET @118 MPH shifting at 6,500 RPM's and +20 MPG on its daily use.
2. 1983 vert, 306 engine Canfield 195cc heads, Vic Jr. intake, Holley 750HP carburetor, CI custom cam, T5 transmission, all accessories operational, 17" hg, of vacuum from the engine idling, gears are 3.73 or 4.10.......
11.40 ET @117 MPH
Yep.... big torque loss, very high RPM's....... NOT....
.If you feel like spending good money in a stroker SBF, and then choking the capability of that engine configuration with those heads.... YCYDYP. Torque is important, but torque x RPM's is what performance is really about.... and I do not mean
peak HP numbers BTW.... it's all a matter of knowing/understanding how to do it, and with your college student budget limitations (BTSTDT.... )...... not guessing, is a real budget oriented practice. LUK
04-01-2009, 07:12 PM
#24
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 74
Sorry guys, I just can't fathom any way I am going to be able to shell out the money for a new set of heads in the near future. If I end up having to rebuild, I think I'm just gonna have to keep my heads and go with the 306 build. Any recommendations on a rebuild kit (including pistons).
please, don't give me over the top suggestions and say I need to go with a forged crank etc...I'm honest to goodness on a budget. I believe in doing things right, but there are certain things I can't afford.
please, don't give me over the top suggestions and say I need to go with a forged crank etc...I'm honest to goodness on a budget. I believe in doing things right, but there are certain things I can't afford.
04-01-2009, 07:43 PM
#28
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 74
They are in perfect shape. Have practically zero miles on them as they went on an engine that is in a car that is still being restored. selling them for $850 seems more than a bit optimistic to me. Where would you suggest that I try to sell them if that's what I do?
I don't think I can sell them for the time being regardless. even if I get 800 for them, that's still an extra $400 to replace them that I don't have atm. I think I'll play it out and see if I can diagnose exactly what the noise is I'm hearing. (very difficult to do w/ no muffler... :-p)
I don't think I can sell them for the time being regardless. even if I get 800 for them, that's still an extra $400 to replace them that I don't have atm. I think I'll play it out and see if I can diagnose exactly what the noise is I'm hearing. (very difficult to do w/ no muffler... :-p)
