Chevy 307 engine

I THINK THESE GUYS HAVE SOME GREAT IDEAS BUT I WOULD STICK WITH THE 305 HEADS THEIR EASY TO FIND THEIR CHEAP AND THEY PERFORM GREAT ON THE STREET IF YOU HAVE ANY DIRT TRACKERS AROUND THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HOOK YOU UP WITH A SET WITH 194 INTAKE VALVES    WHEN I WAS REDOING MY 70 LT1 350 I FOUND A CRACKED HEAD SO WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR A REPLCEMENT  I BOLTED A SET OF 305 HEADS ON AND AT THE TRACK THEY ONLY SLOWED ME DOWN BY A FEW TENTHS THATS NOT TO BAD FOR CHEAP HEADS   WELL I HOPE YOU GET YOUR 307 RUNNING THE WAY YOU WANT     GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN WITH IT

See IMO I think the higher C/R from the 305 head will make up, at least on the street, for the loss (in my case) of .09" valve size.  Most junker heads I find are fat 76CC heads for 350's and I feel 76CC is too much for a 307 due to the smaller bore size compared to a 350 which 76's are intended for. 

Port the 305 heads and I think they will flow as good as stock 194 valve heads.  

My thought is, if they are good enough for a 305, they are good enough for a 307 too   BTW I did see that 89 chevy caprice's use aluminum 305 heads. Something to look for. 

I don't know about Jegs or Summit but Northern Auto Parts might have high perf (hypereutectic,forged) psitons for 307's they usually have more selection when it comes to those things  

You all have been a great help!!!

After doing a bit of research based upon your comments, here's what I have decided to do.  I'm looking at the recommended Edelbrock Cam and Lifter Kit, that is recommended with the Performer manifold I purchased.  This seems to fit what most of you have recommended.  I'm going to change the timing chain to a dual sprocket, and wait for heads and maybe even a 350 engine change for the future.

Thanks again for all your help

I've got to recommend the Comp Cams series of Xtreme Energy cams over the Edelbrock performer series. The lobes are a lot better designed.  Get the part number 249-CL12-230-2  cam.  It's got great low duration/ low end torque.  It has comparable lift nmbers to the Edelbrock but a lot better throttle response and torque.  I am not just blowing smoke here, i've used both.  Edelbrock has great intakes but go with the Comp cam.  Seriously.  

Thanks for you help...

I'll check it out, but what do you recommend for the timing chain?

"The lobes are a lot better designed."

Would you kindly elaborate on what you specifically mean by that?  I'm curious.

Based on what your project encompasses, purchase a mid-quality chain (e.g.; E-brock chain w/ their cam kit).  You don't need a Cloyes Tru-Roller.  

Not to be silly...but why don't you all get Chrysler 340s and call it a day!

(Please laugh. You guys seem to be getting really pissed off)

Not to start stuff up again,  but I find it extremely funny that you guys all tore me down, criticizing me, mocking me and personally attacking my opinion of the 307, and here you are recommending the same stuff I am or have put on before.  I find it funny.  I hope others will to

On to the camshaft recommendation, I agree with the suggestion for the Comp Cams over Ebrock. Ebrock makes great performer kits, but there are some more optimal choices for a 307 than the Ebrock cam.  As posted earlier, they are made for 350's and a smaller cam will help the 307 get off the line.  You may not make as much HP at 5k, but a lot of the "throw you in the seat" power you want to feel comes from low end torque, well unless you have high stall converter, but I think you get my drift. Low-end torque will get your beast moving and it will "feel" powerful.

Good luck!  hope it runs better when you are done with it!

This is all very interesting....  I spent several hours on the internet, reading and trying to understand the best cam for my situation.  And, based upon what I did understand (and that aint much), and what you all have helped me with, here's what options I have:

The Edelbrock Performer-Plus/Kit -

1. Lift: Int/420 Exh/442        Duration @50" Int/204 - Exh/214

Comp CamXtreme Energy/Kit -        

2.       Lift: Int/432 Exh/444        Duration @50" Int/206 Exh/212 

3.       Lift: Int/425 Exh/425        Duration: Int/192 Exh/200

Crane Cams -

4.       Lift - Int/432 Exh/459       Duration Int/206 Exh/218

 5.      Lift - Int/446 Exh/459       Duration Int/262 Exh/268

And, I would add a dual sproket timing chain with hydrolic valves....

So you can see how this can overwhelm an novice!!!!  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...  thanks again!!!!

"...I find it extremely funny that you guys all tore me down, criticizing me, mocking me and personally attacking my opinion of the 307..."

The responses had more to do with the silly statements and the notion of a 307 being superior to a 350.  Fact, dollar for dollar a 350 will chew up and spit out a 307.  

Go back and re-read my posts.  I stated more than once that 307s can be made into a nice little package.  Yet, recognize that they have limitations.

Net net, fact serves much better than supposition.

I would laugh, but it's not funny.  I'd take a 340 over a 307 anytime.     

Me too.

Based on the cams you selected, I think they will all do about the same.  I will run a dyno sim to see if there is any advantage.  I know some people posting do not like this software, but for those of us who do not have access to real dyno's, it is all we have to go with.  I think it is close enough give or take 10 - 20hp.  I have my issues with it but I think it can help.

I think what will hurt is the stock 307 head. If the valve size is close to 1.72/1.3-1.5 then I think you will not get all of the benefit of the cam shaft(s) unfortunately.  

If you could post the casting number of your heads, we might be able to tell you more about the cam selection since I am sure most people posting know where to look up your specs.

It is a lot of choices and why I chose to get a copy of this software. It helps me out and seeing TV shows use it and compare to "real world" dyno, it's been pretty accurate.  It's all theory anyway