Thread: Please help newbie!

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I am 34 and will be building my first engine. I want low end torque and around 325 HP from a small block 350ci chevy. Not to bad so far hu?

Before I go any further this is a questiond about heads. Sorry, I did read up on a bunch of the old postings but not sure I understand completely what I need and could use a little guidence.

The motor I am building has flat tappet pistons, bored .030 over with a Lunati cam and an Edelbrock Performer intake. This is what I have so far. The cam has .42 lift and an advertised duration of 270/280 and 204/214 @.050.

The pistons top out below deck but I am not sure by how much, I havn't measured yet. I have a set of 882 heads I can clean up and use but I am worried that the combustion chamber will be to big without cutting them down some and the exhaust ports seem a little small at 1.50.

To get to the point, can my HP and torque goals be reached with these heads or should I go another route? I am not trying to get by to cheap on this but don't want to sink to much money into it either.

Sorry for the long post about something that may seem to be common sence to most of ya but any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Steve, it looks to me like you've already answered your own question. The 882's with those big ol' 76cc chambers are gonna keep your compression below 9-1. Not the way to make 325hp but not impossible. I have learned the hard way the way to power is a good set of heads. The GM vortec heads (54cc) will increase your compression, make gobs of torque and pull like a bandit through 5500-6000 rpm's. 'bout $350 ea.

BUT, why not go ahead and pony up and get a nice set of Canfield aluminum w/195 cc intake runners? Last ya' a lifetime for the lowly price of $1200 a pair .