I'm starting a new project a 1978 Trans am. Trying to plan how I want to build the engine. I have a complete 1970 ram air 3 400. It's a service block cast in 1971 2 bolt mains. The original engine for the car is gone. I want to install a stroker kit with a cast steel crank would make it about 460 cubic inches depending on bore size. I have the original #12 heads also have a set of #13 heads.
I need the engine to have a stable idle with good vacuum the car will have power brakes and the factory air conditioning. I want to run a hydraulic roller camshaft maybe a CCA-BP-RA-041-HR from butler performance. It's supposed to be a roller version of the ram air 4 041 cam.
I can't decide whether to use the stock iron heads or buy the Kaufman D port aluminum heads. They are really expensive but by the time I have the Iron heads redone with new springs and hardened seats I'm more than halfway there to buy the aluminum ones. For what I'm doing will the aluminum heads be worth the extra expense? Hoping Cliff will respond I know he is very Experienced with this engine combo. Thanks Bill
