I have decided to spend time this winter to pull the engine from my 1974 vette (350CI@195 HP) and do some modifications and detail the engine compartment. I was always a Dodge person in my earlier days so I need some advice from this group on what all I can do while keeping this thing a nice driving vehicle. I am just looking to pep it up some so when the throttle is pushed it performs good. I just recently purchased a cam kit from comp cams. It has a duration of 268/ 280, and lift lift .477/ .480. I am changing to roller rockers. I plan to have a valve job done while it is apart. I will be adding an Edelbrock 2101 performer while keeping the stock quadrajet. I hope to find some different metering rods? The motor only has 26,000 original miles so I didnt plan on rings or bearings. As for the distributor I was planning on keeping it a points system so I could keep the chrome shields, however I have been told that I can use the same cap and rotor but upgrade to an electronic changeover. is this something you would recommend? Would I have to change the coil if I do that?I purchased new oil pump, water pump, belts and hoses while its apart. so the question is what else would you do or what would you do different.
And the last thing is this, I have a 400 turbo trans in it. Would you go with a new convertor? I was thinking maybe a 2000 stall speed? would this be a waste? I dont plan on racing at all just looking for some performance improvement. Thanks for all your advice in advance!
Rodney

forgot to say I plan on adding headers once I break in the cam. I understand that I cant break a cam in while having new ceramic headers or they will change color.

suncountry, when looking at the gm performance parts for the vortec heads the description says that they need Vortec-style intake and self-aligning rocker arms. Does the edelbrock 2101 match up to that description? I guess I need to contact summit racing to get that information? Very good suggestion though. Thanks. 

The Edelbrock 2101 is not compatible with Vortec heads.  Edelbrock does make Vortec compatible intakes.  Their model 2116 would be the Vortec compatible Performer intake.

Vortec heads would be an excellent modification.  Vortecs are among the best breathing factory heads made.  If you want to go with aluminum heads, Edelbrock's E-Tec are excellent as well and weigh much less than the cast iron Vortecs.  Either way, a quite positive improvement.

looks like the vortec heads are not an option because the intake will not fit under the corvette hood. So i guess the next question would be what improvements can I make to my stock heads to help? And where to have the work done. I am in York Pa. There are plenty of local machine shops but I should search for one that specializes in this type of work.

Edelbrock makes complete kits. Vortec heads, manifold, cam, timing gears, chain, etc. Good luck on performance upgrading your ride

Suncountry, where did you get the air cleaner? Very nice looking! How much shorter is the demon carb compared to the quadrajet? I would really like to use the heads but stack up height looks to be an issue? Do you know how much taller the vortec heads will make the intake sit or is just the intake needs to be much taller? Either way I am interested in your air cleaner setup! rod75152008-11-02 16:48:39

Glen,

That is a great looking setup that you have.

Scott