Hey Guys,
Hopefully I can get your help with a few questions. The 66 Elky is currently in the shop undergoing an engine rebuild. However, I get to pick and choose whatever performance upgrades I want to have installed with all my hard earned money. The engine is original to the car but I think have an upgraded Cam, Heads, maybe Headers and Exhaust, I can still maintain the cars value and holding onto all the original parts. The tired 327 was original a 2bbl carb and had the 2 spd powerglide which I upgraded with a 650 Edelbrock cfm and performer rpm intake along with a TH350 tranny. I'd like for the car to have better performance but I'm not sure I can afford all the desired parts. What are the best improvements to make for performance?
I know I would like a cam..those arent too bad, 150-200$ but the heads are really an unknown since the heads on 327's were notorious for cracking. Thats an easy 800-900 right there. And as far as Headers, I would say another 600-700?I would like to stay under 1500 for performance upgrades but I'm not quite sure on who are the best brands to go with at decent prices.
I'm going to check the car out today and find out a bit more since the engine is broken down but I'd like to have your input if you've been down this road before.
Thanks for any help! In the mean time i'll be browsing through old threads for any related topics.

Vortec L31 cast iron heads casting number 12558060 complete ready to bolt on for about $275 each and a Vortec intake manifold (which one would depend on the overall use of your Elky)...you might even have enough left over for a new cam, lifters and pushrods (the cam...again overall use of the car). Adding headers...that's most likely gonna put you over your budget...unless you go with a cheap brand like Hedmans.

i have a stock bottom end 350 i did the l31 heads, 218@50 450lift, summit intake 600 carb up jets one size and have a stock trans and stock 2.41 posi and ran a 13.32. in my cabi . heads are were you will make the most power!!

Thanks for the input guys, we're going to send the stock heads off to be cleaned up and hopefully (fingers crossed) they arent cracked. Once I got over to my mechanics shop he discovered that the original 327 has actually been bored .40 over. There were quite a few oil leaks in the old engine so hopefully the block is still good and we plan on using the original pistons with new rods, etc. If the heads turn out to be useless then I will look harder into the L31 Heads that you suggested. We still plan on putting a little bit hotter cam in there.
My work will be the complete cleanup of the engine bay and repainting. What do you guys recommend for paint? I figured a gloss black would look good for the fender wells and firewall and maybe Krylon Black for the Frame? I was told a company out there makes a specific paint for the frame so I wasnt too sure where to look on that end.
Also, we're planning on putting an HEI distributor which would make things a lot easier.
Thanks!
Evan

i have a stock bottom end 350 i did the l31 heads, 218@50 450lift, summit intake 600 carb up jets one size and have a stock trans and stock 2.41 posi and ran a 13.32. in my cabi . heads are were you will make the most power!!

I afraid I have to call you on that exsadgeration of time, show us the time slip

I logged in earlier today and either a MOD deleted the posts by 66trar and I, or something was wrong with the system or web site. In any case, After 66trar's information, I found out more information on some of the engine specifications.

Heads- 461's , we had them rebuilt and I think they should work fairly well, though I'm not sure if they are stock to the vehicle. Each head denotes the number 3782461, however one has GM12 and the other GM5, whatever that means...

Cam- We're going with a 3/4 Cam, nothing too crazy but better than stock nonetheless.

Headers- We'll be using aftermarket Hooker Headers ($180/pair) 2451HKR, 3 inch outlet

Mufflers- Flowmaster 40-Series: 42541, should provide a real nice rumble

So, nothing too outlandish performance wise but it should help bump up the stock 275hp rating to around 300hp would be my guess. (fingers crossed)

Engine should begin assembly sometime next week so I'm going to try and get some good pics to document the process.
Thanks!

i have a stock bottom end 350 i did the l31 heads, 218@50 450lift, summit intake 600 carb up jets one size and have a stock trans and stock 2.41 posi and ran a 13.32. in my cabi . heads are were you will make the most power!!

Hmmm, with highway gears in the rear axle and a .450 lift Cam? I have a similar setup and can't get better than high 14 sec in a quarter mile. I'd like to know what you have that is making it run so good.