Thread: 90 small block project

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Ok, here's the deal. I'm on a tight budget and wanting to build a mild built 355. I have a 1990 c1500 2wd, I got some of the parts I need to start the project. I have a stock block stock crank, nothing else internal and have a victor jr intake and Holley 750 double pumper carb. I need to know the best combo of heads, cam, rods, pistons I should use, as this will be a daily driver. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to CHR!

A couple questions:
1. Is your block a roller? It will make a huge difference in the cam selection which also affects piston selection.
2. Automatic or manual transmission?
3. Rear end ratio that you’re planning on using?

And a couple “suggestions”

You probably won’t like the Victor Jr and 750 for a daily driver unless your daily drive consists of RPM in the 2500 pus range. While I like both of these components they tend to be happier at higher RPM and with more cubic inches. I’d opt for a Performer RPM and a 600 Edelbrock 1406 for daily driving from a fuel efficiency and drivability standpoint.

AFR 180 heads with 68cc chambers is a dynamite head for the price. They come with 2.02/1.60-inch valves and all the good port work done.

Give us the answers to the above questions and we’ll help you pick the innards.


Again, Welcome to CHR!
Glenn

There's a few companies like Edelbrock and Trick Flow that sell a complete top end package, works great on a mild street engine. Rods and pistons, depends on how you define "budget"!!!! A Victor Jr. and a 750 Holley are going to be a bunch too much for a mild engine, should stick to a dual plane intake and a 600-650 CFM carb....

does your block have a fuel pump boss that is drilled?

i see you said budget build ? what s that ?? you realy do not need aluminum heads to make good power if low on coin iron heads kit can be less money like world heads and erson cam kit can be all pickup threw EPW/PBM find a dealer close to you or i am a dealer for world heads and Erson cam .PBM ERSON cam and i make a custom top end kit if need . has i am dealer for many others cam companys and other heads engine quest Pep and dart and the small 180 in the SHP head if you must have the aluminum heads . if block has towers casted in the lifter valley and top of lifter bore are machined flat it can be or is a roller can engine .they did not used rollers in trucks with TBI v8 done some custom stuff as the map on the tbi will go nuts Gm used small hyd flat lifter cam s in the trucks many of the blocks were set up of roller cam can PM me threw here or mccarthy performance on face book or www.mccarthyperformanc.com if i can help

I'm not 100% if it's a roller or not I've actually got to pick it up Sunday. I have a auto 700R with a shift kit now and will probably run a 3:73 gear or whatever is in the truck now.

Originally Posted by Newhotrod

I'm not 100% if it's a roller or not I've actually got to pick it up Sunday. I have a auto 700R with a shift kit now and will probably run a 3:73 gear or whatever is in the truck now.

like i said Gm never used a roller cam in stock TBI V8 trucks . but the block very well could be setup to use a roller cam most all them block. i done it if so thats the way i built them for customers . with vtech engine quest heads or the RHS iron heads

You said you had a carb and manifold----I asked if your block for this project was drilled for a fuel pump rod /mounting-----------If it isn't you might need some fuel supply system mods-----------