The little 358 SBC Chevy that could

[1980RS]

Went out to our local track yesterday for a little muscle car action as last time I broke the car and that was a total bummer not to get to race in eliminations. After finding out my 8" converter was hurt rather then just toss in one of my 10" with the 406 again I put in my trusty pump gas 358 SBC. It has some warmed over Sportsman II heads with 2.05 valves, an Air Gap intake with the divider cut down all the way, mild solid roller cam and some 1 3/4 Super Comps. With the 4.88's still in the car I was trying to slow the car down to run in the 11.50 class but after I put my new FST 850 VS carb on that little engine got quicker and faster as the day went on. The FST 850 was spot on out of the box, very happy with it. All I set was the idle screw and went racing. I clipped off the best of 11.30@117.5mph with a bunch of mis-matched parts the other 2 carbs I was testing were in the 11.50's and 60's, it was a fun day.

[swampbuggy]

What does the car weigh w / you in it ? Mark H.

[1980RS]

What does the car weigh w / you in it ? Mark H.

Around 3450

[ClassicComp]

Pretty good calculates to 436.hp pass.

[1980RS]

Pretty good calculates to 436.hp pass.

That pretty close to what I figured also, I think the engine would be quicker and faster with some home ported Vortec's over the 200cc heads. Still seems to run good just not as quick as I thought they would be.

[steve cowan]

Nice job,
Sounds like the FST carb are not that bad,I have heard very little feedback on those carbs.

[MELWAY]

Pretty good calculates to 436.hp pass.

That pretty close to what I figured also, I think the engine would be quicker and faster with some home ported Vortec's over the 200cc heads. Still seems to run good just not as quick as I thought they would be.

Those sportsman 2 can be fast heads with enough cam and rpm and a decent port job
I know they are a lot of grinding but I like those old iron heads

[wilson1970]

Do you remember what camshaft, springs and timing that you ran in your 358?

[1980RS]

Do you remember what camshaft, springs and timing that you ran in your 358?

What I currently have is an Engle .600 lift roller cam, 250° duration on a 108 LCA. the springs were something I had for another roller so I used them on this cam. The last cam the Elgin flat tappet 1090P cam worked very well also and I may go back to that cam if I put a set of ported Vortec heads on the 358. The Elgin cam makes some explosive power. Still thinking the Sportsman heads a touch too big.

[econo racer]

What does FST carb stand for?

[djh61187]

What does FST carb stand for?

Fuel Systems Technology

[skinny z]

... FST 850 VS carb...

Wow. I thought I was the only one who raced a vacuum secondary carburetor.
Are the the other two you were testing also VS?

[1980RS]

... FST 850 VS carb...

Wow. I thought I was the only one who raced a vacuum secondary carburetor.
Are the the other two you were testing also VS?

1st Holley was my 750hp vs and the other I tested was my 1000 Mighty Demon DP. I would have liked to tested my 850 VS Holley but I forgot to take it with. The FST carb test really surprised me as it was trouble free, need to get a wide band in the car for next year to see if I am lean or rich at the track at WOT.

[skinny z]

... need to get a wide band in the car for next year to see if I am lean or rich at the track at WOT.

That's one of the best things I've installed in my car yet. Helps at the track. And in my case, it helps on the highway too.

[1980RS]

A couple of things that would have picked up some ET would have been a set of 1 5/8" headers and a set of re-worked Vortec heads, after last years results with the 062's I am convinced about that.