MDS Ignition, Comp Cams Roller Rockers & Holley Carburetor Upgrade - Recession Buster

Finally, we could start plugging the new go-fast goodies. We started with the Comp 1.6:1Ultra-Gold roller rockers, positioning them all on the pushrods and locked them down using a 5/8-inch socket. Since the engine came with a hydraulic cam, we didn't need to worry about adjusting for lash.

With the roller rockers installed, we then dropped in the billet MSD distributor (PN 85551). It was literally only a matter of pulling it out of the box and sending into the heart of the block. Consolo did make sure to mark the cap with the body for reference on timing. Once in, we installed the distributor clamp and tightened it with a 9/16-inch wrench.

Consolo preferred to make his own custom-length wires. Not only do they fit better, it looks much nicer and more organized. To make the job easier, he ran the wires along the side of the engine and cut the wires in order to fit them to his liking.

When building custom wires for your application, your toolbox needs one of these: MSD's ratcheting Pro-Crimp (PN 35051). The interchangeable jaws allow for an array of crimps, and the hardened steel frame, molded handles, and slip-free grip allow for repeatable crimping performance.

Before we set the carburetor down, we made sure to install Holley's phenolic 1-inch spacer with its supplied gaskets. The spacer should help with air/fuel atomization, which creates a more efficient burn in the combustion chamber.

Every project car should have a competent ignition to work with. Complete combustion is crucial in freeing up those ponies. The MSD 6AL (PN 6420) will take full advantage of the Pro-Billet distributor for easier starting and reduced plug fouling, and will even improve your fuel economy. All it needs is a 12V power source with an 18V max. Added function includes a rev limiter that can be adjusted with plug-in modules. We also paired the box with a Blaster 2 coil (PN 8202).

While we could have installed the MSD 6AL box in the traditional spot on the firewall, we opted to install it on the driver side of the radiator with the vibration mounts and hardware. We positioned the box with the wire loom facing down, and used White Out to mark where we needed to drill the mounting holes. From there, locking it down and wiring the box was only a matter of using the supplied hardware.

To hide the wires from the 6AL box, we ran them with a plastic loom protector up and over the driver-side fenderwell and along the firewall. The wires included two for the coil terminals (orange for positive, black for negative), white for points (was not used), and heavy black for the ground. A red wire connects to a 12V power source, preferably to the ignition key or switch, while a heavy red wire connects to the positive side of the battery. The violet and green wires are routed together and clip directly to the MSD distributor.

To fit our new roller rockers from Comp, we also picked up a set of Comp's aluminum valve covers (PN 220). It's important to note that the covers do not come with a hole for breathers; in this instance we drilled a 11/4-inch hole.

We opted for a Holley 650 HP carburetor (PN 0-82651) for its no-nonsense, plug-and-play ability. As luck would have it, the previous throttle linkage was a direct fit, only requiring us to fasten the transmission kickdown, which incidentally also fit beautifully with absolutely no modification.

The last bit to this install was getting fuel to the carburetor. Since this 350 had an older Carter carburetor, we needed new duel fuel lines to feed the 4150 Holley 650 HP. Fortunately, we were able to borrow one from the shop; however, you'll need to purchase a universal line, which is also available from Holley for just $30 (PN 34-16).

After double-checking all of the components, it was time to fire the Chevelle up. With the initial crack of the throttle it was obvious the engine was much happier. We took a trip down the street and while the drivability had been significantly improved, it was the dyno that would truly reveal the results of our efforts. With the new components, the Chevelle produced 222 ponies and 290 lb-ft, netting us with a total gain of 28 hp and 26 lb-ft to the tires! Something else you may notice, is the smoothness of the entire powerband, when compared to the original pull.

Not only does our Chevelle shred tires into Second gear now, but the intermittent electrical problem has been resolved and the car runs like a champ. As a bonus, the new modifications also gave us a much cleaner and more modern look with minimal cash outlay.