I'll be pumping up my 350 in my 69 GS California and wanted to know if anyone out there has any experiance with TA's Stage 1 cylinder heads for the 350. Is the $ worth it in your eyes? Were you happy with your purchase? What kind of gains were seen if any? Also, any recomendations for getting more power out of the small block. I plan to put on a new SP-1 intake manifold and competition headers supplied by TA. Depending on feedback I may go with their cylinder heads and in either case will change over to their 1.6:1 Roller Rockers. A new cam is also in the plan but I haven't an idea of which one just yet. Am I missing anything. Any ideas?
I have the TA stainless big valves in my heads, and had the heads ported, bowls opened up, etc,etc, I dont know if thats the same thing TA does to the iron 350 heads and then calls 'em Stage 1 heads, it might be. I know my 350 pulls hard all the way to 6000 plus rpm. Most head work is worth the money, as long as the person doing it knows what their doing. I dont remember what I paid, I know it was over a grand for it and that was years ago. If you buy from TA, at least you'll know the heads were done right. I would also check the deck height, have it cut to achieve as near zero deck height as possible, I had mine cut .050 to achieve .005 deck height. The TA 310 cam is nice with at least 9.5 to 1 comp ratio. TA's Stage 1 intake is nice (have that too) I have the 1.6 TA rollers. I once switched between the stockers and the rollers within an hour and took it for another ride, BIG difference, the difference in ratio and the accuracy of the ratio made the 310 cam feel smaller, wouldnt pull to 6000 rpm. The TA roller rockers are pricey, but worth it, and there adjustable :grin: Use nothing smaller than a 750 Q Jet or Holley, or whatever carb. 1 5/8 headers work well, with at least a 2.5" duals, 3" not really necessary. I had my crank cross drilled also, dont know if that helped, but it works to keep rod bearings lubed at 6200 rpm. DITCH you original rods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get the late model cap screw rods, much stronger, there from 73 and up I believe. I havent had my GS down the 1/4 yet, but Im gonna have it chassis dyno'd in the spring. I do know it will smoke em thru 2nd gear from a 10mph roll tho:beer Mark
Thanks a lot Mark. I've only used this forum a few times and have been very pleased with the support I've received. I've been trying to decide if I want to sink some cash into the 350 or step up to a 455. I'd prefer to stay with the 350 as it's running really strong with less than 55k. It seems that your already running the set-up I'm looking into and from the sounds of it your pleased. No? I'm going to get some more info from the guys at TA on their cylinder heads. It seems that I remember reading in Original Prarts group that the heads were aluminum but I can't be certain. Thanks again.
What do you folks think the Stage 1 intake alone is worth in E.T. ? We may be running our Stocker in SS and one of the quick changes would be the intake. Or should we just make our own single plane intake? Thoughts?
I am REAL pleased with the way my set up runs:grin: It will idle at 750 in gear, and the drivability is sweet! The 455 is a great motor, especially the torque output, but I believe the 350 is a stronger block, whereas you'd need a girdle for the 455 at a certain power level, I think you could get away without one on the 350 because of the deep skirt block. Remember, the 231 (3.8) is the same block with 2 cylinders cut off, and that block supports over 500 horse with no problems, even higher in stock form. The big thing is there isnt a whole lot of aftermarket support for the 350 as far as forced induction goes, THATS were the 350 would really wake up!! It is hampered by the 3.8" bore, BUT so is the V-6 Turbo, the difference between em? Forced induction:Brow: I like the Buick 350, it has alot of guts and potential, alot of which hasnt been tapped yet! Mark
