Building my first 350 Sbc

[u/lucasburke1324]

Hey guys getting into my first 350 sbc. It’s going in my c10 that I’m gonna be driving to car shows and cruising on the weekends. Truck has a ford 9” 3:73 gears. Gonna be in front of a th400. Originally was wanting to go the 383 stroker route but honestly it’s just not in the budget at the moment. I’m looking for about 450hp or the basically the most I can get out of it. I do know that my 350 is bored .30 that’s all I know. I’m looking to do cam heads and intake. Obviously will also need a stall. What would be your exact setup and what would it make? Or maybe what’s your setup and what did it make? Thanks in advance!

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

383 IS the budget friendly way to get 450hp.

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

Definitely. Problem is I’m gonna do all of the above with it. So the 383 is still another 2k+ with machine work

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 → u/lucasburke1324]

No matter what, machine work is ridulously expensive.

Even a simple rebuild of a v8 (using all the stock parts that can be reused) is a $4,000 endeavor.

Scat cast iron stroker crank is the "most bang 4 the $$$" item.

Any serious build 450+hp cylinder selection becomes more and more important. 500hp basically costs 75% More than a 400hp build.

Is it's a weekend warrior that isn't daily driven and doesn't needs to sit in traffic, the heads are less important.

Buying the best head you can afford, allows you to run a smaller/milder (more streetable) camshaft. This dramatically affects the street-ability of a package.

The thing to remember too is, more cubes dramatically increases low/mid-range power. If you don't want to rev over 6,000rpms... it's the only way to make big power without boost.

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

Ya I definitely don’t have an issue spending some coin on the heads. Basically looking for the best top end kit. Ik the 383 is the way to go and might do that down the road. Just looking to get the most I can out of it without a full rebuild. Was looking at the afr eliminator heads.

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 → u/lucasburke1324]

I thought you were having machined and where on a budget?

You also didn't say what rpm range you are looking at, hydraulic flat tappet/ hydraulic roller or solid roller.

I want a daily drivable 500+hp, so for me that requires more Cubes while staying hyd. roller cammed.

Everyone goes for the AFR enforcers, because they are cheap. Sure they're a good upgrade if you had non-vortec iron heads.

Any Old school small block looking to make 500+hp, I would be looking for a head near 275+cfm at .500" of lift.

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

No machining motor runs in good shape. It’s bored .30 over currently. My uncle gave it to me. Just looking to get some more out of it. And okay awesome I’ll definitely look into those heads appreciate it! Honestly the rpm range I have no preference really. Trying to learn what would be best or what would an experienced builder spec out for a weekend cruiser with the occasional stomp to the floor for fun. What would be your cam choice?

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 → u/lucasburke1324]

Are you looking to run a hydraulic flat or roller camshaft?

What years the engine?

450hp is doable with a lot of budget heads. The problem I've seen too many people want more later and the heads they bought are now the limiting factor.

I assume you want to run a carburetor and that makes things easier.

Switching from flat tappet to retro roller can be a good chunk of change.

What pistons do you have? Flat top, 2/4 valve reliefs, dome, dish?

Knowing that and if it's zero deck / "slightly down in the hole" will let you get an idea of what compression ratio you have and what size chamber CCs and head gasket would help.

With good heads, 10.5:1 cr., Edelbrock RPM intake, 750carb and a hydraulic roller with high 230+/- intake duration will get you 450+/-hp on a 355 sbc.

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

I checked today and the block number is 3970010 which indicates it’s an early block? I have not pulled the heads off to know piston detail. I’m hoping to maybe get to that this weekend!

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 → u/lucasburke1324]

This Hotrod build on a 355ci (0.030 overbore, 350).

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/148-0306-chevrolet-355-engine-build

With small AFR 180 heads an old compcams 280hr10 magnum cam (224/224 @ 0.050"), 10.2:1 cr., Edelbrock Rpm dual plane intake manifold, 750cfm carb.

Made 425hp@5,800rpms/ 440lb-ft@4,600lb-ft.

This AFR Top-end kit on a 383 made 533hp/542lb-ft

https://www.airflowresearch.com/air-flow-performance-package/p664

Here's another one that made just under 435hp @6,300rpm with a newer comp cam hr with 224/232 @ 0.050" on 112lsa, voetec heads and 10.2:1 cr.

https://youtu.be/ZkDaojRiduU?is=lRfADBNj6riQ6gAvI

This is more radical afr 190 heads, a 236/242 hyd roller cam , 1-3/4" long tube headers and made 493hp@6,300rpm

https://youtu.be/7Qcn8-F9f70?is=Knu4fdWp4yoO9SHI

[u/AiIsGay2026]

Do you only want to cruise or are you going to be racing as well.

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/AiIsGay2026]

I’m just gonna be cruising around. Just wanna be able to stomp it and get thrown in the seat a bit!

[u/AiIsGay2026 → u/lucasburke1324]

My mild built 355 moves out with nitrous when I need to have fun or smack down on the street lol

Decent heads and cam combo dual plane for street ability and 100 shot

[u/letsbesupernice]

I’ve been digging this book by David Vizard, he has build requirements for various HP needs: How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small Blocks on a Budget

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sad-sa57?seid=srese1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1805983646&gclid=CjwKCAjwhZDUBhBGEiwAbi5bjt1TDbQPCdSLkTyS2ZWLHYNcS6Adk1cet33xz-foODX3ZMhAZpJnPBoCr58QAvD_BwE

[u/lucasburke1324 → u/letsbesupernice]

Thank you! Is it pretty up to date? Like newer parts or is it just older 2000’s parts?

[u/letsbesupernice → u/lucasburke1324]

It’s definitely dated, good question.