Hi all, I'm Rob from Australia. I'm about to take delivery of a customised 1970 Holden (GM) Utility (pick up). It's powered by a Chev 327 that transmits its torque through a TH350 trannie and a v8 3.08:1 ratio banjo diff that so far, has stood up well. I'm a 39y/o 'A' grade mechanic who's finally getting his v8. This is what I want to know guys. What mods have you guys done to these engines that have been really effective without you having to take out a mortgage to obtain? I don't know yet if the heads are the double hump (or whatever u call em') type, what compression it has or what cam it has. It has a Holley carb of unknown CFM. I'm willing to change the camshaft, rockers (roller tipped only), valve springs and intake manifold. I'd also give the heads a 3 angle valve job, raise the compression, clean up the ports whilst matching them to the intake manifold ports. My friend has offered me a Camaro alloy intake (the current one is iron) - are these any good or should I fit an E/B Performer one? It has the standard cast exhaust manifolds, which I'd like to keep as I like their appearance and they fit the tight engine bay quite neatly. Has anyone been able to get respectable performance gains while still retaining these cast headers? The rest of the exhaust system appears to be free flowing as the twin outlets let it be known that there's a Chevy 8 under the hood. I don't know if the exhaust has a balance pipe fitted, but get the feeling it does'nt due to the beat of the note. The engine pulls like a demon off the line but becomes real weazy around 4,000rpm - almost as if the cam is advanced. I want the engine to have real presence so I don't mind it idling with a little anger. I'd prefer to retain the standard torque converter but would change to a higher stall type if needed. Again I'd like it take off well but more importantly, it needs to get up and boogie as the revs climb. I don't want to push it beyond 5,500 or maybe 6,000rpm as I don't want to touch the bottom end $. So, if any of you have been in a similar situation and are willing to share your secrets with an Aussie (pronounced ozzie) then please, let Rob know.
Or maybe even put me onto a site that caters for my questions. Have any of you seen the retro dress up kits for the S/B offered by proformparts? I gotta get that kit. Bloody awesome and not a bit of chrome to be seen! (yeah, yeah, I know I show my age fargin). One more thing. Do you think I should stick with the TH350? Or should I update to a TH700. I've heard the 4speeders are a little on the weak side. If so, what can be done to beef them up. I've been told to use a vette' servo as well as a transgo shift kit. Thanks for putting up with my huge ask. I hope your day is a good one. Cheers! Rob