What to do?

[Ron Middleton]

I finally bought a running (albeit slow) 79-80 Camaro H/J/I (350/190/287HP) stocker because I never seem to have enough time to get the Malibu together with all the work it needs. Car has run 12 teens at I weight but little is known about the engine other than it appears to have the right stuff (Deano carb, correct intake and casting number heads). It has TH350 with probably stock low gear, 8.5 rear with 5:13 gear with stock springs and Comp. Eng. Slide-A-Links and Lakewood shocks. Headers are old Cyclone coated 1-3/4" primary with 12" long 3" collectors. The previous owner/s an the car in stock and in brackets but never went through teardown so I don't know if it will pass or not. I know the motor probably should be the first thing to work on. I know that Gary Parker's similar combo is very quick and he uses Brian Tilburg and I have spoken to Brian and would not hesitate to use Brian but looking at shipping costs there and back I am wondering who is available within a reasonable distance from Jackson, Ms. that does good, competitive work.
I planning to take the car the next to weekends and bracket race it just to see where I'm at. If it were any of you guys (and girls), that have some experience in this, where would you start and who would you use.

[Dick Butler]

And you live where?

[Ron Middleton]

Sorry about that. I live in Jackson, Ms. area.

[K Stubbs]

Ron, is that car from Arkansas? You should try Jim Lewis in Vian Ok......He is very good and reasonable with sbc combos...I think I know the car.

[Ron Middleton]

Kevin, I'm not really sure where car from but I know Chris Stewart bought it several years ago and I bought it from Chris a couple of weeks ago.

[Dean Oliver]

Ron - call me when you get a minute.

Dean
870-830-5470

[John Kelley]

Does Ricky Klarr in Hattiesburg do stocker engines ?
He has a good reputation I believe.....

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Ron Middleton

I finally bought a running (albeit slow) 79-80 Camaro H/J/I (350/190/287HP) stocker because I never seem to have enough time to get the Malibu together with all the work it needs. Car has run 12 teens at I weight but little is known about the engine other than it appears to have the right stuff (Deano carb, correct intake and casting number heads). It has TH350 with probably stock low gear, 8.5 rear with 5:13 gear with stock springs and Comp. Eng. Slide-A-Links and Lakewood shocks. Headers are old Cyclone coated 1-3/4" primary with 12" long 3" collectors. The previous owner/s an the car in stock and in brackets but never went through teardown so I don't know if it will pass or not. I know the motor probably should be the first thing to work on. I know that Gary Parker's similar combo is very quick and he uses Brian Tilburg and I have spoken to Brian and would not hesitate to use Brian but looking at shipping costs there and back I am wondering who is available within a reasonable distance from Jackson, Ms. that does good, competitive work.
I planning to take the car the next to weekends and bracket race it just to see where I'm at. If it were any of you guys (and girls), that have some experience in this, where would you start and who would you use.

If you are willing to pay what a Tilburg motor is worth why would the trip there to pick it up bother you?
Not trying to be a wise guy but if you want to be fast Tilburg makes a very fast motor
Talk to Gary I am sure he would be willing to give you info....
And yes gary has a very fast hot rod

[Gary Parker]

Just remember, you get what you pay for. Not that we all have the money to pay for it...

[Ron Middleton]

Mark and Gary,
I have talked with Brian and am very pleased with what he had to say. I know Gary's performance speaks well of what Brian can do and I am very much considering using him for my motor. I just wanted to weigh my options and know that I made the right decision. I have yet to speak with any other engine builders but I will probably talk with Jim Lewis also and then decide on who to use. This is an area I want to be very careful in as it is defintiely a major cost factor in this effort even though Brian's pricing is not out of line for what I thought it would cost to have one built.