So after all these years I finally own my dad's 77 vette. He and I restored it when I was a kid and then he got in a bind and sold it, I recently bought it back.

Question is, I'd like to build an engine to put into the car, it has the stock 350/th350 it came with and is less than exciting to drive.

My question is tons of magazine articles are focused on huge HP numbers or super big TQ with high budgets, huge cams, or a combination of both.

What I'd like to build is a small block with a lot of torque near the bottom end where a street car lives, on a budget, that will be reliable enough to take on vacation or drive to work a couple of days a week.

Anyone got any advice on combos or setups that would fit? Magazine articles doing just that?

How much power should I be looking to make I was thinking a 400HP/450TQ car would be a lot of fun, problem is I want it to make lots of TQ right off idle which usually equates to big CI engines, I'm not interested in swapping a BBC in.

Anyway sorry for the ramble hopefully this post can get this conversation going in the right direction.

Thanks
Josh

 

Josh, sounds like a cool car and you've got some great thoughts on how to get started. The discussion really needs to start with a realistic budget - what you can achieve is based on what you can spend

 

Not sure what your budget is or your skills are but this might be the best way to go for you:

ZZ383 Crate Engine
425HP@5400RPM
460ft.lbs@4500RPM
SKU: 12498772
RETAIL: $7,357.14
YOUR PRICE: $5,228.00

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/ZZ38...72-P764C2.aspx

This will make that '77 fun to drive...

 

A good realistic budget would be around $4000-$4500 I appreciate the links to crate engines but to me half the point is putting this thing together with my dad, and knowing the car that much better.

Not to mention I dont have to pony all $4500 up at one time I can spread buying parts out over a while, the play fund is somewhat diminished from the original purchase. My plan is to give the car a tune up and get it on the road where it belongs, then build this new powerplant over the course of the next year and swap it out maybe next fall/winter.

I found this article online:

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...kit/index.html

http://www.superchevy.com/tech/sucp_...ack/index.html

http://www.superchevy.com/tech/sucp_...kit/index.html

They made 425/460 IIRC for about $3300, although I question some of the parts they used, seems like they could have picked up a better stroker kit for not a lot more money......also could have used ARP bolts etc. for a more reliable build for not a ton more cash.

 

That budget is completely reasonable and your targets are completely within that budget.

First step is to determine what gears are in the car; you may find some of your budget going there.

As a starting point with your targets, I'd offer the following general configuration: Start with an 87 - 98 roller cam engine (not LT1/LT4) - the newer the better. A cast crank, hypereutectic piston 383 stroker assembly from Scat making about 9.5 CR with a warm hydraulic roller cam, hopefully reusing the existing hydraulic roller lifters. Figure on a set of decent aftermarket 180cc heads along with headers and a free-flow exhaust. The head and cam choice is really dependent on your gears.

This is going to be right in your zone; a nice, fat torque curve from 2000-4500 peaking at around 450 @ 4000 RPM and around 400 HP @ 5500 RPM. All flywheel numbers, all estimates.

Not a complete answer, but a starting point

 

Wishin,
I believe the original engine was either L-48 at about 185hp or the L-82 which was 210hp....THE ORIGINAL ENGINE !!!!

Unless the engine is a replacement, your lack of power is because you do not have the horses in the original engine......

I'm sure there are a ton of upgrades that could boost the response and increase the power with the current engine.....

I'm sure many on this forum have boosted the power on their 77 without replacing the engine and for a lot less $$$$

Good Luck

 

I have the same idea going for my 77. Budget cost is tough. Yes, you can pick up a crate for 3-5K that will do all you want it to do, maybe more. But with mine, the motor was just the starting point. Now I need to look at re working the trans, drive shaft, & rear end to get what I want out of the motor. Maybe some suspension changes too. I figured my budget to be closer to 8 -10K & then I have to look at bodywork / paint. I know this will take a few years to get where I want to be but at the end of the day, it will be well worth it to me.
Good luck with yours!

 

I've been eyeballing a kit from Flatlander racing for my pending rebuild;
http://www.flatlanderracing.com/scatsr-chevysbcast.html

 

I'm about to get a 77 from my uncle and the numbers the stock engine puts out is depressing. Has anyone done anything to the L48 to make it a bit quicker without swapping heads/cams/etc...? I'm planning on rebuilding the engine and trans this winter but I don't have too much money to blow on it. Any tips would be appreciated =)