Thanks for your replies to my last post regarding AR engines. I'll steer clear from them, based on your response, and the fact that they are on the other side of the country.

Still looking for an engine though...
Check this post:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/pts/501813988.html

Here's what the guy told me about the engine when I emailed him:

"I had the engine built by Action Machine for my Nova. While I was having the motor put together I picked up a Chevelle and so I'm spending my time/money putting the Chevelle together rather than the Nova. It was built to my specs, although Mike @ Action had some input regarding some of the parts that went into it. I built it for a supercharged street application, which is why I went with the cam that I did, so I could get it to pass smog and that would work well with the supercharger. It also has forged pistons, which most people don't spend the extra cash to put in. It has not been dynoed or run at all, based off of similar builds I've seen it should put out around 400hp/425ft-lb. I planned on running 9 lbs of boost and was hoping for about 600hp with the supercharger. It is a flat tappet cam with comp lifters, comp hardened pushrods and comp stainless roller rockers. Since it has not been run, if you wanted to swap in a bigger cam, say a comp xe268, you'd only have to replace the cam and would easily make 450hp/450 ft-lb."

What do you think?

Also, Does that cam seem too mild for that motor? Which one would you recommend if I were to change it?

THanks again

 

???

 

Listing has been deleted. but if it was built for a supercharger it is a low compression motor and will probably be a dog with no supercharger.

 

There, I just updated the link to the new listing.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/pts/501813988.html

I was thinking of changing the cam to make it non-supercharged.

 

9.5 to 1 is Ok. Pretty good internals although I would have thought a 600 HP supercharged application would use a forged crank! Definetly needs a cam change in my opinion. Can't buy the parts for that price. I would make sure it hasn't been sitting long with the lifter valley open like that though.

 

Rather odd he chose 9.5 comp. to add a supercharger and 9
pounds of boost to, not sure I believe the supercharger story.

 

If I were to go this route, which cam should I look for?

He has a Comp XE 262. I'm guessing if I get another XE cam, then I could use the hardware he already has.

What kind of power would I be looking at with a Comp XE274?
Are these XE cams good? Or should I look at others instead?

 

This is damn close to the motor I've been building in my head for going on a couple years now. I had always settled on the XE268 (I believe) for the motor I wanted to build.

Still, the blower story does sound a little wierd...this doesn't look like a motor you'd put a blower on for a street car but you can't build another for the price and being professionally built is a comforting feeling. I'd say forget about his story and buy the motor because its a nice piece.

As for the final word on the cam, I'd try doing a search, there is a wealth of information on cam selection on the site. The only problem is, its largely opinion and you still have to pick the best all-around cam for your desires.

Good luck!

To answer your question, its pretty hard to predict power just based on parts (despite what desktop dyno softwares claim, I, personally don't think they predict very well). But there are people who swear by them and you may be able to have someone run your application for you. Still, the only way to be sure is put it on the dyno and let her rip.