Hi guys. I've been through the searches on this topic but for some reason my middle aged brain needs a direct hit. I have a 79 car, an L48 with <40,000 original miles, Edelbrock Performer intake, original Q-Jet, true duals with no cats, no emissions equip, air cond has been removed. It's a TH350 with 3.08 posi rear. I drive the car less than 3000 miles/year and want some more power say 350-400HP and 400lbft torque. I've read about the Dart, Edelbrock, Holley and even Vortec head combos. All seem like good options. I'll probably piece meal the install as I am still battling college costs for my three kids. Where should I start? I've given the car a good tune, alignment, the usual power robbing stuff but the car still is not where I want performance to be. No racing, just a nice street torque monster is what I want for now. Your opinions are appreciated. 

I'd say save your money until you can afford the whole package. It's cheaper to buy that way. You'll need a new cam as well or you won't be getting the full benefit of better breathing heads. That will also require re-jetting of the carb unless you replace it, but a Q-Jet is an excellent carb for the street.

Another option is a crate engine already built to the specs you want. That will take all the guesswork out of it. If you're really after better takeoff power, changing the rear to a higher numerical ratio will help with that, but at the expense of fuel economy (we're talking a Vette here...are we really concerned about that?). A crate engine may well be more cost effective anyway unless you're truly concerned about originality, but you can save the original engine anyway.

Let us know what you decide.

There are some really economical - High HP/Torq crate engines on E-Bay. When my time comes - I'll look at a 383

Big Al

Indeed, always compare price of ALL the needed parts to a crate engine witch comes with garantee and you can save the original....for your grandchildren when your '79 becomes a rarity... OR sell that too young car  and buy a 68-69-70 witch bulk of power put in by the factory !  ( Mick, i only ask 5% for raising the prices on our beautys...) So , i think , you have 2 options : either a crate engine or return 10 years in time..... 

Sorry , i get in the mood.....

I think you had one too many Stella Artois'. 

Fran, When I had my 66 restored, like yourself I wanted a lil more "pep'. My mechanic went with the vortec heads, performer intake and changed the cam to the 350hp corvette cam. That really helped but we ended up going with 373 gears. Now that REALLY helped.

Jim, Thanks for your advice. My goal is to get to that 350-400HP mark and save a few bucks. Kind of what you did with your 66. I'll most likely change the rear end as well. When the kids graduate I'll build what I want. Your 383 with gobs of HP and TQ looks like a sweet ride and is ultimately where I want to get to but for now it is what it is. The vortec heads look like a good deal as well as the Dart Iron Eagle or even the low end Edelbrocks.

Does anybody have any experience with the Dart's?

Problemenko, ? , whe have a artist called , Panamarenko ,yeah, building submarines ,planes and insects between Jules Verne and science fiction beyond imagine... 

By the way ,Stella Artois ? sorry man, that's Holland's beer , no , you get a headache of it , no, whe , Belgiums, don't drink that.Whe prefer Jupiler ! so whe export that Stella.......and keep our Jupil's  

Dart Heads are what I have on my car and they produce some awesome horsepower. The machine shop I use had an extra set someone had ordered but never picked up. I had them pocket ported and with all the other upgrades my horsepwer is way up, I would be at 370 at a lower altitude. I'm at about 304 now, I still have to dial the carb in it's running a little rich. Which means even better numbers later. I would also recomend a Demon carberator they are easy to work with and their tech department is right on.

Belgium guy, Nice to see you keep the good stuff for yourself> Maybe you can share a pint with me next time I'm in Belgium.

Silverbullet, thanks for your input and the recommendation on the Demon carb. I can get a set of Dart Iron Eagle heads assembled and delivered for around $900. The cost of the Iron Eagles are approaching the Edelbrock Performer Heads, so it may be a tough choice. I also looked at the Holley, TFS and Edelbrock packages. For the money you can't beat TFS. The kit is complete down to the gaskets. It's still around $1600 delivered so I guess I just have to piece meal it for now. In the long run the kits are the way to go. But wth, it will be fun mixing and matching.