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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 07:51 AM
  #1  
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Default Motor swap

Looking to build a new motor for my 79,want to stay with a SBC,and would like to get about 550hp - 600hp. can you get there with Vortec stuff? i don't much like the vortec stuff but it is cheaper.
Or should i just buy an early block and get some good alum heads like AFR or something like that?

Thanks for any advise.

Jesse.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Slow Mo
Looking to build a new motor for my 79,want to stay with a SBC,and would like to get about 550hp - 600hp. can you get there with Vortec stuff? i don't much like the vortec stuff but it is cheaper.
Or should i just buy an early block and get some good alum heads like AFR or something like that?

Thanks for any advise.

Jesse.

I would suggest you lower the HP goals, plan for a big block, or prepare to have a LOT of cash for a small block that powerful. You'll need all forged rotating assembly, large cubes, high revving, fully balanced, and high compression. You won't get that goal with Vortec stuff...in fact you'll spend some coin for after market stuff.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I would suggest you lower the HP goals, plan for a big block, or prepare to have a LOT of cash for a small block that powerful. You'll need all forged rotating assembly, large cubes, high revving, fully balanced, and high compression. You won't get that goal with Vortec stuff...in fact you'll spend some coin for after market stuff.
You can take a 350,stroke it and bore it .60 over to a 388,0r take a 400 and make it into a 427 or 454 and make that kind of HP pretty easy. I just wanted to know if anybody has done it with the vortec stuff,since the parts are cheaper.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 08:52 AM
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Default 550 Hp?

It can be done. It's going to cost you, big time and be a bear to drive on the street.
Contact a cam grinder or two and ask them what they can do for you.
They all have run tests on all combs. They know what will work best.
It can be done with stock iron heads. They do need work and that cost big. Every thing forged and a touch of chuckle gas.
Best results?
Get a big block and do it mild. Much easier to drive and will cost 1/2 the price. A 427 cid- 390 hp, give it 250 shot of NOX.
You'll have to change the front springs and shocks, beef up the rear also. Be prepared for a WOW factor
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Slow Mo
You can take a 350,stroke it and bore it .60 over to a 388,0r take a 400 and make it into a 427 or 454 and make that kind of HP pretty easy. I just wanted to know if anybody has done it with the vortec stuff,since the parts are cheaper.

The problem with Vortec heads when you get into that much HP is the heads need to be modified so heavily that you're better off buying after market heads, maybe originally of Vortec design, but ready to go out of box for the kind of air flow you need for that kind of power.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Slow Mo
You can take a 350,stroke it and bore it .60 over to a 388,0r take a 400 and make it into a 427 or 454 and make that kind of HP pretty easy. I just wanted to know if anybody has done it with the vortec stuff,since the parts are cheaper.
You're willing to spend big bucks to build a 427 or 454 small block, but you want to skimp on the heads and intake. I don't understand...
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:03 AM
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To be street friendly cubic inches and airflow will be the key. while you may get those numbers from a 383 it would be a much more driveable setup to go with a 427 or 434 and use some good aftermarket heads. You can probably buy large runner Dart heads for less than the machine work required to get the iron heads flowing. AFR's would be even better but cost a little more.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 12:11 PM
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Do yourself a favor and follow this thread. You wont go wrong with anything Lars puts together and this particular build meets your goals. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2055968

He even has nice pics to go along with it.
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Old Jun 23, 2008 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by bashcraft
You're willing to spend big bucks to build a 427 or 454 small block, but you want to skimp on the heads and intake. I don't understand...
Read post #1 Then let me know if you understand.
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