Darryl, What Jim needs is a commitment along with a deposit in order to get these done as he doesn't want to be stuck with 20 sets of heads from people backing out at the last minute. If people are 100% sure that they will go through with the transaction, I'm sure we can get a list of people willing to make this a reality. I wonder if we can stick a thread at the top so we can get a list of people interested who are willing to make this happen?
If Jim B will put together a post spelling out what he needs, and how, and when, we can then make it a sticky thread. But Jim needs to spell out the details of his requirements first.
It would certainly be helpfull if there were some way to interest the hot-rodding public at large in the buick 350. I dont think it would be very difficult to do, as the current 3.8 has so much in common with it. Maybe if someone were to come up with a change-over kit allowing people to bolt in a buick 350 in place of their existing 3.8, we could really generate some interest. If we get all our facts right, and present it to a major publication, such as hot rod or car craft, and get an article run showing how "John Q. Hotrodder" could simply bolt a buick 350 in place of his 3.8 in his Camaro, and do it for about $2000 less than converting to a SBC, that would really get the ball rolling. Give it some thought, and lets see what we can come up with.
I was going to suggest putting the aluminum heads on hold for now and maybe starting out smaller with, say, a high-rise single plane intake, which was being mentioned along with the heads anyways. I mean, getting people to put down $300 would be a lot easier than getting people to put down $2300. Plus, the iron heads are capable of good flow numbers, as seen in this thread: 350 head flow . Not only are the nubmers good, but if it really is "basic porting" with "cross sectional area is very close to stock" that means there's probably more left if someone wants to go wild, say for a race motor or maybe with the new blower set-up. But then it occured to me, after you add up porting, valvetrain and machining, you might be getting up near the cost of aluminum heads anyways. Why am I babbling on like this ? Well, I just want to see, even if the heads themselves aren't made, if there are still some options instead of letting this thread die like all the other aluminum head threads in the past, and the 350 rod threads (and, up until a while ago, the 455 block threads). I know Jim said in the above thread that he doesn't like quoting prices on the board, but maybe just for this instance he could give an idea of what a head like that might cost, compared to what a run of aluminum heads might cost. Also, does anyone else have any suggestions ? How many guys who already have ported heads want a high-rise single plane intake, say like a victor jr ? Would it be worth it maybe having the intake cast with runners that will match a stock port (with extra material for porting of course) so that anyone who wants a bit more power and rpm than the TA intake could just bolt it on and go ? sorry for the long post, just trying to get this thread going
Hi Brien, The "350 head flow" thread is based on the heads Jim Burek is doing for my engine. Those numbers you see are probably the most you would get from a set of 350 iron heads. When the engine is all done it should be in the 475 hp range. Just like the 455 guys, the head's is what's holding us back. It's going to take a strong commitment from people in order to make this a reality. If you guys want, I'll start another thread and make a list to see who's interested. Just PM me and I'll start a list in order to get things started. If we can show there is enough interest from a list of people that want to make this happen, we can take it one step farther by asking what is needed financially, etc. to make this a reality. :TU:
Jim B, Very interested in an update, being a 350 aluminum head casting has been sighted. Just not sure what to tell the folks that call. Mike
Did I hear you right? And Aluminum 350 head has already been cast??? No info?? What are the specs? Where do I sign up for a set? Got a 350 car just aching for a set. Pat Johnson
Yep, I would take an intake first over some heads. I also bet the intake would be the better choice for making the quick needed sales. I did say I owuld take an intake and some heads down the road. Matt uzzled:
