Hi, I'm new to this forum and have found a lot of good information here. I have a 68 Firebird that I am in the process of restoring and bringing back to life after being parked for about 15 years. It has the numbers matching 350 with 2barrel carb in running condition. I was told by the previous owner that it had been rebuilt and bored .040 over but other than that I believe it to be stock. Like apparently a few other folks, I'd like to boost the power by adding a 4 barrel carb setup. From the advice I read on here, I procured a stock 4 barrel intake 9794234 and Rochester Quadrajet 7028266. I intend to install headers or long tube manifolds and free flow dual exhaust. I have #17 heads and don't intend to replace them. I'd like some advice on what cam I should use for this setup. I've read someone suggest a Comp Cam XE256H and someone else suggested a Summit K2801 for similar upgrades. Are these good recommendations or are there others more suited for my application? Besides the lifters, are there other valve train components that should be replaced with the cam swap? I have the original 2 speed automatic and rearend and don't plan to upgrade them at this time, maybe someday down the road. But with the restoration I have a lot of other expenses and am just trying to get it back on the road focusing only on the motor at this time.
Also, should the stock fuel pump be replaced to accommodate the 4 barrel? What would you suggest?
Any information you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.

Dan

Well a 350 with 17 heads, don't expect miracles from anything you do. It can be made to run well but it'll never be a world beater. No matter which cam you go with realize that Pontiac originally installed valve springs to limit rpms. When new they didn't want warranteed engines to be over revved so they used their springs to act as rev limiters of sorts. I would replace the valve springs with some better ones when replacing the cam.

I'd start off with just the 4bbl carb and intake swap first and see how you like it. Like Bob said, those #17 heads are no trophy winners, but they do flow very good on the intake side. I did the same swap on my 350 2bbl (same stock #17 heads). Woke it up quite a bit, just make sure the Q-jet is in good order and check the secondaries, making sure the throttle blades open fully (90 degrees from closed) GM utilized different opening angles on the Q-jets based on which car they were going on and trim levels. I have a 2 speed as well, with a 3.08 gear, won't get you out of the hole very fast, but stomp it at 20-25 MPH and hang on

One other thing, if you do decide to do a cam swap and valve spring upgrade. Have screw in studs installed...cost ya a few bucks, but beats having a press in stud pull out the first time you hammer it.

If a head swap is strongly suggested to get decent performance then I need to consider that. I'm just trying to keep my costs down initially. What head would you suggest? I'd like to keep the car period correct using stock parts.

Dan

# 16 heads from '68.

How would changing to #16 heads affect the compression ratio? What camshaft recommendations could you provide?

Dan