Ok, here is the deal. I have a LS7 that needs some work to install and I don't really want to tackle that yet and may end up selling it. I am really bored with my 383 first gen small block. It was supposed to be fun until I figured out everything I needed to do to install the LS7 but it really doesn'y have the power I am looking for. The 383 has a pretty mild cam and aluminum 190cc procomp heads.(I have been told it's around 425HP) The heads will probaly be for sale soon but I plan to keep the short block for future reference. The heads would probably be great for a 350 and were not bad on the 383 but I have been told the are a little small for what I have in mind now.

I really want to be in the 600+HP club with a new motor. It must be a small block due to the fact I have spent a ton on March bracket kit and such. I am thinking I want something like a 427 or 454 small block. I have seen these on Ebay and Summit/world in the power range I am looking for. They are even in the price range I am looking at, well on Ebay atleast. I really like that most of the engines I have looked at have been dyno'ed and come complete. I don't really like trying to dial an engine in and I am not good at it anyway.

Is it really reasonable to think a 600HP small block "daily driver" is possible?

I also concidered a blower but talked to a few people that said I would only gain about 60HP with a 671 set up for street use, does that seem right? 60HP for an extra $2500 just doesnt work in my book. I also park this car in boobie bar parking lots at night and don't like the idea of having carbs through the hood for people to screw with. Visability has to suck also but I am open to thoughts.

Has anyone bought a Ebay motor or Summit/World motor? Are you happy with it? Anybody know a good builder in the Ebay price range?

Has anyone on here ran a big stroker on the street? Your thoughts?

My dream would be an under the hood supercharged 454 small block making 800HP on pump gas with a nice idle for $9,000 but thats probably not going to happen so, I am on here looking for help. What else I should consider so I do not end up changing motors again in 6 months?

 

I sure don't know much about 600 HP engines, but a daily driver with that kind of power is...possible, but not practical. I doubt it would run on anything less than 93 octane...IF that, and the kind of cam you'd be spinning would probably make for a horrible in traffic idle. But again, I don't know squat about monster small blocks.

 

call summit racing tech line and tell them what you want they are very helpful. They will direct you to the best choices for what you want.

 

If you don't want to spend 9k I don't see it happening

 

I dont mind spending $9,000 or even more. I just want all the bang I can get for the money without giving up streetability.

 

If your willing to spend that kind of money you really want 600+ hp thats extremely reliable very streetable, sell the small block stuff put it torwards a big block even if you loose some on your march setup you will be mutch better off.

 

Now that sounds like pretty good advice. 600hp from a small block and good sreet manners is really stretching it.

 

I can drive my 434 ci small block around. Its everything with it that costs allot. Everything else has to handle the heat and the power. You can't have wimpy parts any where!

Your talking the best trannies, rear ends.............. it never stops

 

I have a 427sb and I'm still working on the intake combo for the efi. As to streetability...I have a 250/258 @ .050; 670/.670 lift solid roller cam and this thing runs fine in town, idles at 850 rpm and runs on 91 octane. It does have efi though, that probably smooths it out down low. I have around 10k into the motor (no exhaust or intake).

Check out Shafiroff Racing's website, they have monster small blocks, one is 600 hp for 10k even. Doubt it fits under a stock hood though.

Also, I almost did this. Summit sells the World sb454 short block for 4800, has the 4340 crank and rods in it. Problem might be clearancing the rods for your cam since it is already assembled though. Probably need a small base circle cam.

 

This is one I wish I had gone with, the 472 Big Dawg! 635hp on pump gas and a 2 year warranty, not sure how reputable they are though... Probably need custom headers and a new hood though.

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/472_classic.asp

 

Why is it you don't want to put the LS7 motor in it? With a cam and headers that should make over 600 hp and that is an incredible motor with an aluminum block even.

 

major fab work on the frame to clear the dry sump system. headers........ I've given up on any more stuff other than the Accusump oiling because I loose oil pressure in turns.

The best small blocks like mine would be built with a 4.125 stroker crank to get 441 or 447 ci I would like the extra TQ when you are in the top gears even with my 4.11 rear end

 

I have a 383 that makes 530hp @ 6500 rpm backed by a TKO.

It does need 93 fuel. Makes enough vac for power brakes - but just. I guess it would run the lights, but mine are fixed.

As for using it as a DD... It's too high strung for most folks to use as a DD. Does not like being lugged around the parking lot. Would be a PITA if you had daily stop and go driving.

That said, everyone's idea of a DD is different and everyone's Daily Drive is different.

I would be OK with it. I would not be OK with the same motor backed by an auto (I hate high stall converters on the street).

Now, a 454 would be much more liveable and would handle the same cam much better.

 

seems to me that in your case (streetable +600hp) a big block would be the choice, irrespective of what you have spent on your small block parts.

But do you want 600hp all the time???
probably not.

Have you considered N2O.

You certainly could achieve your hp target if the 383 can take the additional load of a 200hp shot.
Maybe rebuild the bottom end of the 383 to handle it..... might be cheaper than any other option. You have a streetable stroker for daily driving, and an awesome race car at the strip with 600 plus horses...

As stated previously though.... you are going to need some money for trans and diff upgrades at > 500 horses!
.... unless you're happy to just do burnouts.

 

I really don't want to deal with all the fabrication.

 

If I were to go with a BB with aluminum heads and intake, how much would need done to the suspension to deal with the extra weight? What else needs changed to go to a BB? I am not talking about the trans or rearend just what needs done to make it fit?

 

BB front springs, hood, better radiator, heavier diff case, solid U-joints. Its not a big deal. I agree with what everyone else seems to be saying, which is either go nitrous or BB. I think from where you are now that nitrous would be best for you. Me, I like cubic inches and that rat-tat-tat idle...
Edit: I just looked & realized you have an '81. Maybe nitrous is in your future...

 

You would also need a new pulley setup and probably a rear spring for a BB.

So front springs
Rear Springs
Pulleys
Possibly uJoints if they aren't already the heavy ones
Diff Case? Are there different cases for an '81?

I agree with George, if you go with a sb, go with a 441+ cubic inch motor. Frankly though, once you do that it is going to be as good as a 454 bb.

There is a 611 hp 502 crate motor for 10k or so from Pace Performance, not sure how good they are but that looks like a good deal. Probably going to have hood clearance issues though. $9,300.

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...S&Category=131

I looked at a crate 509 motor too, but the iron head version is still pretty heavy. The aluminum head version is 560 hp and is $10,500.

http://store.summitracing.com/compar...=KeywordSearch

 

Boring Old 383 + Blower = More than most can handle!!!

 

This is the motor that really got me thinking BB might be the way to go
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...mZ110264921513

I was hoping that with the aluminum heads and intake the weight would be close enough to a small block that I woldn't need to redo the suspension.