C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

High RPM SBC ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
Rmorgan&11's Avatar
Rmorgan&11
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Default High RPM SBC ?

I want to build a SBC that will turn some R's .
Before I do What is a Great CI Combo ?
I have a friend who spins his BBC to 7200 in a Chevelle and my Boat turns 6500 on a 3/8" rod bolt basicly stock lower end BBC (ARP & other good parts used ) factory crank etc..

I would like to see a usable rpm up to about 7k or better ? ..my car is 4sp w/3.36 gear

I have a 400 shortblock and a (327 sm.journal shortblock that is already built, but the crank is cut .120 /.90 ) so I 'm shying away from this one

Last edited by Rmorgan&11; Dec 9, 2009 at 09:36 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 09:41 AM
  #2  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Rmorgan&11
I want to build a SBC that will turn some R's .
Before I do What is a Great CI Combo ?
I have a friend who spins his BBC to 7200 in a Chevelle and my Boat turns 6500 on a 3/8" rod bolt basicly stock lower end BBC (ARP & other good parts used ) factory crank etc..

I would like to see a usable rpm up to about 7k or better ? ..my car is 4sp w/3.36 gear

I have a 400 shortblock and a (327 sm.journal shortblock that is already built, but the crank is cut .120 /.90 ) so I 'm shying away from this one
modern forged cranks and rods rarely have rpm related problems. The valve train does.

So put a 3.875 stroker in that 400 block and build it to do 7800 rpm. No problem 421 ci and it should be in the mid 600 hp.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:01 AM
  #3  
Rmorgan&11's Avatar
Rmorgan&11
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Default

gkull >

any preferrred rotating assy.mfr.???


in my BBC the Top End is all Roller w/$$$ Parts

I want something streetable , but able to stretch its legs on these long open texas roads
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #4  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Is that 400 block a 2 bolt or 4 bolt main? If it's a 4 bolt, don't use it.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:25 AM
  #5  
billla's Avatar
billla
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

I've built a 7500 RPM 350 that's still going after 3 years (crossed fingers)

Gkull's right on, as usual. Top-notch forged rotating ***'y, solid roller cam and mondo heads, everyting balanced to a tee and held together with ARP studs
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:29 AM
  #6  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

My 427ci will still be making power at 7500RPM you need to spend some money though. I like Callies cranks and if I did it again I would get a set of lighter I beam rods and the pistons I have are OK as they are pretty light. ( Sure there's even better stuff out there but this will do )

Key here is valve train and I would recommend shaft rocker setup. Once you have one you will never go back to stud rocker setup they are so stable.

And for 400 based motors you need big heads nothing under 220's and big solid roller cams







Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:36 AM
  #7  
Rmorgan&11's Avatar
Rmorgan&11
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Default

after I went roller top end on my BBC , never go back to flat tappets again ..
I have some other blocks and parts for my BBC I can sell to bring in alot of the funds, I don't have much time to race the boat anymore so I may sell it too ?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:51 AM
  #8  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

You may need to sell the boat to build what you are looking for, I paid almost twice as much for my motor as I for the Vette
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 11:03 AM
  #9  
Rmorgan&11's Avatar
Rmorgan&11
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Default

may just pull the motor out of the damn boat

It's pushing some HP
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 11:12 AM
  #10  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

Originally Posted by Rmorgan&11
may just pull the motor out of the damn boat

It's pushing some HP
Probably the easiest and cheapest route
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 11:15 AM
  #11  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Rmorgan&11
gkull >

any preferrred rotating assy.mfr.???


in my BBC the Top End is all Roller w/$$$ Parts

I want something streetable , but able to stretch its legs on these long open texas roads
Higher RPM just kills motor longevity. So I build my motors to feasably withstand 8000 rpm and then cam them down and put a rev limiter to 7000 and then they last........... most of the time.

I lost a 355 ci motor just trying to maintain 6500 rpm for 90 some miles in testing for a Nevada open road race. It is really hard on motors to stretch it's legs as you put it for any length of time.

I also broke the crank shaft on my first 427 small block. It was a 4340 cheap forged crank that couldn't handle running it to 7500 in the first 4 gears.

big ci is the way to go to get Vette to go from "Zero - 175 mph" in a hurry

I have bought a few of the over $3000 dollar rotating kits for small block from these guys.

www.flatlanderracing.com

Last edited by gkull; Dec 9, 2009 at 01:08 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:01 PM
  #12  
Little Mouse's Avatar
Little Mouse
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
Higher RPM just kills motor longevity. So I build my motors to feasably withstand 8000 rpm and then cam them down and put a rev limiter to 7000 and then they last........... most of the time.

I lost a 355 ci motor just trying to maintain 6500 rpm for 90 some miles in testing for a Nevada open road race. It is really hard on motors to stretch it's legs as you put it for any length of time.

I also broke the crank shaft on my first 427 small block. It was a 4340 cheap forged crank that couldn't handle running it to 7500 in the first 4 gears.

big ci is the way to go to get Vette to go from "Zero - 175 mph" in a hurry

I have bought a few of the over $3000 dollar rotating kits for small block from these guys.
Somehow ford won four 24 hours lemans races with 1960s knowledge.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:18 PM
  #13  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by Little Mouse
Somehow ford won four 24 hours lemans races with 1960s knowledge.
FE bottom ends are really tough. The "Y" block with cross bolted mains and the LeManns capscrew rods were pretty much bullet proof. I've had several big block Mustangs and never once lost a bottom end. My problem was alway broken valves. No doubtedly from the valves floating.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:20 PM
  #14  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

I wouldn't bother with a stock OEM 400 block either if you are thinking 7500RPM that is mandatory aftermarket block with billet steel main caps ARP hardware everywhere
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:25 PM
  #15  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Little Mouse
Somehow ford won four 24 hours lemans races with 1960s knowledge.
I work on historic race cars. Even a real gt-40 and it is going to Le'Mans this spring. Back in the day for qualifying they used qualifying power engines and or changed the rpm limits compared to the endurance motor for the 24 hour race. We use modern rev limiters to keep the owners from blowing vastly superior modern built motors. On this GT-40 we also over geared it so it can not even get near red line in top gear. Where in qualifying motors you hear them bouncing on the rev limiter on the main straights

Just like a drag racing motor can last for a years worth of 1/4 mile bursts, but that same motor couldn't do a 500 miles trip on the interstate.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:39 PM
  #16  
Little Mouse's Avatar
Little Mouse
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
I work on historic race cars. Even a real gt-40 and it is going to Le'Mans this spring. Back in the day for qualifying they used qualifying power engines and or changed the rpm limits compared to the endurance motor for the 24 hour race. We use modern rev limiters to keep the owners from blowing vastly superior modern built motors. On this GT-40 we also over geared it so it can not even get near red line in top gear. Where in qualifying motors you hear them bouncing on the rev limiter on the main straights

Just like a drag racing motor can last for a years worth of 1/4 mile bursts, but that same motor couldn't do a 500 miles trip on the interstate.
289 based engines had to turn some revs to make the power they claimed in the GT40s. very small cube
limit at 5.0 liter limit.

The 289 did not have a strong cross bolted block like the 7 liter ( 67
Mark 4 winner )

One thing good about the 289 it only had 2.25 size mains, slow bearing speeds, very short deck, light short rods, light pistons. Its lot easier to turn short strokes, very light parts around a circle for long periods of time,
much easier on parts, blocks.

but having said all this the old 426 and 427 nascar engines were turning
7600 rpm down the straits for several hours at a time.

Last edited by Little Mouse; Dec 9, 2009 at 02:06 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #17  
Manuel Azevedo's Avatar
Manuel Azevedo
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Default

Originally Posted by Rmorgan&11
I want to build a SBC that will turn some R's .
Before I do What is a Great CI Combo ?
I have a friend who spins his BBC to 7200 in a Chevelle and my Boat turns 6500 on a 3/8" rod bolt basicly stock lower end BBC (ARP & other good parts used ) factory crank etc..

I would like to see a usable rpm up to about 7k or better ? ..my car is 4sp w/3.36 gear

I have a 400 shortblock and a (327 sm.journal shortblock that is already built, but the crank is cut .120 /.90 ) so I 'm shying away from this one
This depends on what you are really trying to do here. On most all street type engines the valve train in the limiting factor. You need good valve springs and good rockers on a shaft or with a good stud girdle. The shorter the stroke the easyer it is on the engine for high rpms also by reduceing the piston speed, and piston speed is the killer on the lower end. Long stroke and small main journual are another killer on rpm engines. That 327 you got should have a steel crank being a small journal crank and with a good valve training will have NP in the rpm range you say you would like. But your statement of the crank being cut ".120/.090" ?? what are you talking about here? Under sizes only come to .060 under for this engine!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To High RPM SBC ?

Old Dec 9, 2009 | 02:26 PM
  #18  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Little Mouse
but having said all this the old 426 and 427 nascar engines were turning
7600 rpm down the straits for several hours at a time.
We should not banter in someones post. But it takes a well built motor to stretch it's legs for a long period of time. I would not use the term several hours when in fact the old LeMans cuircut had only @8 mile straight. Most fast cars would only be doing max revs for sub three minutes at a time. Compared to open 92 mile road races that last for 20+ minutes.



Big ci and lower rpm is my preferred choice on motors. So did Ford when they decided to race 427's against the tiny 3000 cc european cars
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #19  
Little Mouse's Avatar
Little Mouse
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
We should not banter in someones post. But it takes a well built motor to stretch it's legs for a long period of time. I would not use the term several hours when in fact the old LeMans cuircut had only @8 mile straight. Most fast cars would only be doing max revs for sub three minutes at a time. Compared to open 92 mile road races that last for 20+ minutes.



Big ci and lower rpm is my preferred choice on motors. So did Ford when they decided to race 427's against the tiny 3000 cc european cars
I agree with you, if you can turn less rpm make the same or more power its almost always a good thing, even the big blocks were short stroke big bore engines. kind of funny when enzo complained about the 7.0 liter ford got the rules changed to 5.0 liter limit, ford dropped out, gulf oil took a five liter mark two same car 68/69 still kicked enzos behind with it lol.

I watched chasing classic cars last night the 289 datona coupe that won the SCCA championship ( ford only american manufacture to do it ) at auction went for seven million two hundred fifty thousand in this bad economy.

Last edited by Little Mouse; Dec 9, 2009 at 03:07 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2009 | 03:10 PM
  #20  
pewter-FRC's Avatar
pewter-FRC
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,964
Likes: 28
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Originally Posted by MotorHead
I wouldn't bother with a stock OEM 400 block either if you are thinking 7500RPM that is mandatory aftermarket block with billet steel main caps ARP hardware everywhere
stock 400 block here bored .040 cast crank, stock short rods, studded the 2 bolt mains and arp rod bolts, hyperutectic pistons, not even balanced. in a 3900 # car for 6 years. spin it to 7200 while blowing nitrous thru it. its an $800. swapmeet shortblock. years ago my $8000. + sm block with all the good stuff made 1 pass and kicked a rod out. go figure. used to run the stock 283 to 8000 rpm with a 4-speed and 5:38 gears. never had the pan off, bone stock shortblock from 1961
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:30 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE