350 carb/intake swap (please help!)?

Question

Right now I've got a 78 El Camino with a 1973 350 2 barrel motor, and I want to get the most bang for the buck out of it performance wise. Currently, the engine is basically stock except for a free flowing dual exhaust system with glass packs.

The first thing I want to swap is the 2 barrel for a 4 barrel. I think that a 600 Holley would be a good choice. I also need to swap the intake and I think that a Weiand Action Plus would make for a nice street performance combo.

Anyways, would this give me worthwhile gains on a 8.5-1 compression 350 if the timing was appropriately adjusted? I'm only looking to get about 250horsepower out of it (more would be better though)

What other budget friendly upgrades would be worthwhile without changing the heads/cam. How about an upgrade to a MSD 6A ignition box?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Answer 1

Take a hard look at the Edelbrock performer carb and manifold combination.  Also look at their air gap system.  Hard combo to beat, and easy to tune.  

Answer 2

Headers give the most "bang for the buck" but since you currently have dual exhaust the gains won't be quite as substantial as a changeover on a single exhaust system. But do it anyway.

The manifold/carb idea is good, just make sure you don't let someone talk you into a carb over 600cfm. That is about all a stock 350 can use.

If you have the GM HEI ignition in it now I would put a performance coil in it and a good set of wires. They really are a great ignition and it is not likely that the MSD will give you anything noticeable in this engine setup so use that money for the headers.

Good Luck & have fun!