Big block power from a Small Block.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Block_Head
I want to upgrade Corvette's stock 350 & TH350. I want gobs of torque and plenty of 4000+ RPM HP. I would like to stay in the small block package. Without going to an LS1 swap, what are some good tried ideas?
Block
Block
I'm building a solid 400, just like a lot of people here. Also like others I'm toying with various FI options but in the start up. I'm gonna use a manifold and carb. The HP and torque from a bored 400 is more than enough to break loose your stock tires and will out perform your stock suspension.
A big block would put a lot more weight at the nose of the car and un-balance it for even worse handleing. Stick with a small block unless you want to modify the suspension and breaks too.
If money is in your wallet, you could buy a crate, a nice FI system, and utilize pre-fab glory.
You have a lot of choices, it just depends on your budget and you'r over-all goal.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
Originally Posted by l88rocket
Damn that's sweet,I totally forgot about putting a carb on one.Looks real good
YEAH after worked a few bugs out... I have had a few different techs say I should be all over the high 12's.
Best part is... MSD makes a new box with a step retard for NO2 so... I will put grade to that... and shoot for low 11's with a 175hp cheater system I already have...
With the new box you can tune it with a hand plug unit or run it through your home computer to set fuel map and retard... they say it is really easy to adjust...
Last edited by holley505; Sep 14, 2006 at 02:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by holley505
1.5 COILS ARE REMOVED....
LSx motor is alot lighter than the SBC I
Of course the biggies and skinnies (wheels/tires) give it that look also...
LSx motor is alot lighter than the SBC I
Of course the biggies and skinnies (wheels/tires) give it that look also...
I think it's your picture playing games on my eyes. It looks extra wide, and the roof looks chopped. Cool pic though, do you widen it?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
http://www.themotorbookstore.com/big-inch-chevy.html
Here's a book that I picked up recently. It's definately worth picking up if you're like me and have never attempted a project like this. Lots of good info. I have a buddy that just dropped a 454 BB into his 75 Camaro and now I have the bug too. I'd like to stay with a SB though. They have several engine buildups in the back of the book that are pretty interesting. Everything from 383 on up to a 454. They had a 406 that made 525 ft/lbs and something like 450hp. That was I was leaning towards but I've heard a lot of horror stories about the siamese 400 block. Everyone keeps telling me to go with a 383. At least that way you can use your existing block. Good luck with the hunt!
-CR
Here's a book that I picked up recently. It's definately worth picking up if you're like me and have never attempted a project like this. Lots of good info. I have a buddy that just dropped a 454 BB into his 75 Camaro and now I have the bug too. I'd like to stay with a SB though. They have several engine buildups in the back of the book that are pretty interesting. Everything from 383 on up to a 454. They had a 406 that made 525 ft/lbs and something like 450hp. That was I was leaning towards but I've heard a lot of horror stories about the siamese 400 block. Everyone keeps telling me to go with a 383. At least that way you can use your existing block. Good luck with the hunt!
-CR
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I think it's your picture playing games on my eyes. It looks extra wide, and the roof looks chopped. Cool pic though, do you widen it?
no chop top... stock C3 naturally have boobies, narrow waist wide hip and a nice ***.
Now she can finally move all that good stuff down the road.
LOL
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
Originally Posted by ajrothm
Holley505, what did your car dyno at the wheels with the LS1? Is the motor stock? You are giving me ideas.
That pic is a shake down dyno after it was installed... I still had bugs in the carb and wiring...
ALSO keep in mind I run a 10in NON-locking converter... so the Hp Numbers on the dyno tend to be 20%-25% lower than a manual or full lock up auto.
That being said... 268hp and 330tq
since then... new carb... some rewiring... and I street raced a cam and heads ls1 camaro... that dynoed 390 and I was stuck to his fender....
mods LS heads... comp cam 224... c5 manifolds... 2.5 in MAD exhaust, hughes 10in 3000 stall non-locking... 3.36 gear
Last edited by holley505; Sep 19, 2006 at 02:13 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
I'm curious as to how well a bored out 350 will hold up as a 400. The cylinder walls must be extremely thin, and I would suspect cracking to be a major issue down the road somewhere. I can't see this motor last very long is used fairly hard often. Or, is there a way around this?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by MsVetteMan
I'm curious as to how well a bored out 350 will hold up as a 400.
I don't think there is a very big issue with durablity with either bored anything under +.060 so long as you're not pushing 600+ horsies.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
gkull, and inch is an inch on 23* heads but the LS stuff makes insane power with it's altered valve angles. If you ran 18* or even 12* heads, etc. on your smallblock, you'd probably be able to hang with 'em. I agree, the big-inch big block stuff makes a lot of grunt, too - that's why I picked 'em for my current builds. Once you get to 18* (or even lower) valve angles on the big stuff with Big Duke/Big Chief heads, you're talking well over 1000hp on a 565 cubic inch engine. Trouble with 'em is the offset lifters and crazy pushrod angles, they don't make for street friendly engines. I'm building two conventional headed big blocks now - a hydraulic roller cammed 565 that I'm looking to make 750 or hp with and a solid roller 499 (3.75 x 4.600) that'll make the same hp numbers, just at a higher rpm and with less torque. I have a CNC Bowtie big block that I'm saving for a future procharger build as soon as I gather the big pile of cash it'll take to get that done.
If I were trying to build a smallblock with a lot of grunt and do it on a budget, I'd probably go with a 406 with some good heads and a healthy hydraulic roller cam (just for less hassle with maintenance).
If I were trying to build a smallblock with a lot of grunt and do it on a budget, I'd probably go with a 406 with some good heads and a healthy hydraulic roller cam (just for less hassle with maintenance).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Kalway
A merlin IS a big block.
I know, that was a joke about the Merlin guy who had the twin charger black Vette with a VERY custom hood. You seen this thing? IN-Sane.
I did hear it can only run for a few minutes because of some major over heating problems, and something about a bad transmission.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
Originally Posted by holley505
That pic is a shake down dyno after it was installed... I still had bugs in the carb and wiring...
ALSO keep in mind I run a 10in NON-locking converter... so the Hp Numbers on the dyno tend to be 20%-25% lower than a manual or full lock up auto.
That being said... 268hp and 330tq
since then... new carb... some rewiring... and I street raced a cam and heads ls1 camaro... that dynoed 390 and I was stuck to his fender....
mods LS heads... comp cam 224... c5 manifolds... 2.5 in MAD exhaust, hughes 10in 3000 stall non-locking... 3.36 gear
ALSO keep in mind I run a 10in NON-locking converter... so the Hp Numbers on the dyno tend to be 20%-25% lower than a manual or full lock up auto.
That being said... 268hp and 330tq
since then... new carb... some rewiring... and I street raced a cam and heads ls1 camaro... that dynoed 390 and I was stuck to his fender....
mods LS heads... comp cam 224... c5 manifolds... 2.5 in MAD exhaust, hughes 10in 3000 stall non-locking... 3.36 gear
oops
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Originally Posted by C_Reichow
http://www.themotorbookstore.com/big-inch-chevy.html
Here's a book that I picked up recently. It's definately worth picking up if you're like me and have never attempted a project like this. Lots of good info. I have a buddy that just dropped a 454 BB into his 75 Camaro and now I have the bug too. I'd like to stay with a SB though. They have several engine buildups in the back of the book that are pretty interesting. Everything from 383 on up to a 454. They had a 406 that made 525 ft/lbs and something like 450hp. That was I was leaning towards but I've heard a lot of horror stories about the siamese 400 block. Everyone keeps telling me to go with a 383. At least that way you can use your existing block. Good luck with the hunt!
-CR
Here's a book that I picked up recently. It's definately worth picking up if you're like me and have never attempted a project like this. Lots of good info. I have a buddy that just dropped a 454 BB into his 75 Camaro and now I have the bug too. I'd like to stay with a SB though. They have several engine buildups in the back of the book that are pretty interesting. Everything from 383 on up to a 454. They had a 406 that made 525 ft/lbs and something like 450hp. That was I was leaning towards but I've heard a lot of horror stories about the siamese 400 block. Everyone keeps telling me to go with a 383. At least that way you can use your existing block. Good luck with the hunt!
-CR
