Engine Build

Ive decided to build a new engine for my 88 Camaro. A 350 or a 383 seems ideal for the cars use, which is mainly going to be cruising and some drag. Im not going to mess with the rotating assembly process(too much cash to mess with for me)but i enjoy some assembly, like cam and heads. Either a GM ZZ350 or 383 short block from GM performance purchased through Summit. Im looking to get about 350-450 hp on pump gas, no Nitrous.
I already have SLP headers, and full 3 inch exhaust and high flow catalytic converter. Of course the tranny will be changed and im thinking 3:73's for the rear end. I also have an edelbrock performer rpm intake with a road demon jr carb. The carb will be replaced because i dont think it can support the desired power.
My first question is what kind of heads should i go with? What flow numbers should i consider for the power i want? I was looking at GM's fastburn heads, would they compare to other companies like AFR, patriot, Dart, Trick Flow?
Secondly, how big of cams would i need to consider?
Finally, what size carb should i go with?
Thanks
Mike  

Flow numbers are irrelevant. What you need to do is size the critical areas according to your engine's demands...

I know that sounds a little ambiguous, and it should be because it takes a hell of an education to really understand what's happening here (hence why fluid dynamics isn't a freshman level class)...

The GM fastburn heads would likely make a decent platform to start with since they feature a larger-than-stock runner and slightly larger-than-stock valve. That being said, there will be more potential in a set of aluminum aftermarket heads, and more choices as well - for a price of course.

The fast burn heads have a 62cc chamber, which could lead to plenty of compression for a 383. Approximately 11:1 for a zero-decked 383. The only difficulty this may present is finding an efficient dished piston crown amidst a bunch of less efficient shapes. I'm sure you would be able to find 72cc chambers that would sacrifice little in terms of efficiency in the aftermarket that would make for pump gas compression ratios even with more readily-available flat top pistons.

In terms of these engines, it would be difficult to ever have valves that were too big, so obviously there would be some potential in a larger valve as well, as the fast burn heads have a 2.0" valve.

I don't believe that Patriot heads deserves to be in the same sentence with Air Flow Research, Dart, and Trick Flow. I have much less confidence in the quality of their heads than the others I've mentioned, anyone can have big flow numbers but I'm convinced that you will find power in the real deal brands rather than poorly imitated Chinese pieces. With bare-bones R&D it's difficult to get all of the slight details correct that affect wet-flow, mixture motion, flame travel, local velocities, and all of those other mysterious factors of horsepower.

The cam will depend on MANY factors of not only the rest of the engine but the vehicle as well. Once you decide on a set of heads, tappet type, stall converter, gears, etcetera we can work towards a cam. It would be easy to throw up some numbers that would get you close making a lot of assumptions about how these combinations usually go, but we might as well be thorough.  

As always your insight is well respected.
Thanks  

Ok decided on the AFR 195cc heads,2.050 in. intake valve,1.60 exhaust. Up to .600 lift. The rear gears will be 3.73's. I'm leaning towards a roller cam.
Part Number: LUN-50161  
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 227
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 234
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 227 int./234 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 298
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 286
Advertised Duration: 298 int./286 exh.Lobe Separation (degrees): 112

The trans started slipping so a new trans is first.That means a new torque converter. Any suggestions for the converter with this cam? Dont know exact weight on car but its mostly stock so its the factory weight i suppose. What kind of power would i be looking at with the combo?  

A 10 inch 3500 rpm will just about perfect for your set-up, you could contact a name brand converter company like BTE or T/S give them your specs and they can build you the exact conv you need.
Assuming your zero deck with flat tops, approx a 750 carb on premium gas, you'll be close to the 450Hp mark.
Goodluck, Cp  
Hungry?  Eat your import.

WOW thats more power than i thought. Would this combo be streetable?  

450 peak Horsepower is very possible here...

That converter will be a little loose but it will still be somewhat streetable. Not fit to go to work everyday on the highway with, but not a track-only ride either.  

Work is 5 mins away so highway use really isnt necissary. I will still stick with the overdrive trans though.  
What could i expect for torque?
Would i be sacrificing some low speed torque with the 10 inch converter?
Ill just buy a pedal bike if i build some 500 horse engine thats not streetable and ride that to work. Ill fire it up just to tick the neigborhood ricers off. LOL  

ok well , im not sure if anyone has seen this page yet , it was shown to me by a friend , its got tonz of 383 & 350 builds , knock yourselves out

http://www.ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos1.html