Big Block Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Mt Airy, NC
Big Block Help
I,m currently doing an off frame resto. I,m figuring putting somewhere around $12,000 in the motor & trans which would be a 425hp crate and 5sp trans kit. My question is I,ve came across a deal on a car which has a 396 with a 4spd trans for $2500, my car is a 78. What changes would be involved in changing over to a big block? Would I eat up the savings on motor & trans making the change to a big block???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
You can build a heck of an engine for what you've budgeted. As an example, I just sold a 509 to a guy for $6500 - 625 hp. Find the right builder and you will still have $ in your pocket when you're done.
Other things you would need are accessory brackets and pulleys for a big block corvette. You may or may not need an aftermarket hood depending upon your intake and air cleaner choice. That's about it.
Other things you would need are accessory brackets and pulleys for a big block corvette. You may or may not need an aftermarket hood depending upon your intake and air cleaner choice. That's about it.
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; Apr 9, 2011 at 03:33 PM. Reason: more info
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Mt Airy, NC
The 12,000 was for motor and trans, the trans is a change over kit from auto to manual which is about 4,500. The engine is about as you said 6,500. Plus allowing a couple thousand for aluminum radiator, electric fans, and incidentals. Soooo the 2 grand will be spent on both. The other 10,000 minus 2,500 leaves me with 7,500. Can I rebuild the 396 to put out around 425-450, possibly rebuild the 4spd, new clutch, accessory brakets for the big block and the other unforseens that I havent thought of for around 4,000. Because I dont want to tackle this if I cant save around 3,000.????????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
The 12,000 was for motor and trans, the trans is a change over kit from auto to manual which is about 4,500. The engine is about as you said 6,500. Plus allowing a couple thousand for aluminum radiator, electric fans, and incidentals. Soooo the 2 grand will be spent on both. The other 10,000 minus 2,500 leaves me with 7,500. Can I rebuild the 396 to put out around 425-450, possibly rebuild the 4spd, new clutch, accessory brakets for the big block and the other unforseens that I havent thought of for around 4,000. Because I dont want to tackle this if I cant save around 3,000.????????
A 396 is more expensive to build than a 454! I've found rebuildable 454 cores for $600-$750. Depending upon your wishes, you could build a 450 hp 454 for something like $4000 using the factory oval heads. It all depends upon what you want and what you want to spend. A 496 can be built for a bit more than this. If you don't want all the expense of going to a big block, I've built, and there are several people on this board who are running 406's that will eat most any factory 427/454's.
Check your private messages. I'll give you a few sources if you like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
www.vortecproperformance.com
If you have $7500 you can spend on the engine, that is JUST enough for a 650hp 496" with a hyd roller, all american forged parts and dynoed....
I have one and its a great engine, enough power for 10 sec 1/4s yet cruises around nicely with AC blasting.... I've got right at 6000 miles on mine now....runs like a swiss watch...
If you have $7500 you can spend on the engine, that is JUST enough for a 650hp 496" with a hyd roller, all american forged parts and dynoed....
I have one and its a great engine, enough power for 10 sec 1/4s yet cruises around nicely with AC blasting.... I've got right at 6000 miles on mine now....runs like a swiss watch...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
www.vortecproperformance.com
If you have $7500 you can spend on the engine, that is JUST enough for a 650hp 496" with a hyd roller, all american forged parts and dynoed....
I have one and its a great engine, enough power for 10 sec 1/4s yet cruises around nicely with AC blasting.... I've got right at 6000 miles on mine now....runs like a swiss watch...
If you have $7500 you can spend on the engine, that is JUST enough for a 650hp 496" with a hyd roller, all american forged parts and dynoed....
I have one and its a great engine, enough power for 10 sec 1/4s yet cruises around nicely with AC blasting.... I've got right at 6000 miles on mine now....runs like a swiss watch...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Yeah for the most part, what do you want to know?
Ported 049 oval ports.... good port 323cfm, bad ports 3teens cfm
Isky HYD roller, 238/248*, .578/.608", 110 lsa(billet core)
1.75 Intake roller rockers, 1.70 exh RRs
Morel Sportsman hyd roller lifters
Isky tool room single w/dampener springs, 185# closed/400# open
10.0-1 compression
Mahle 9.8-1 forged/coated small dome pistons, 4.31"
Scat 4340 I beam rods
Scat 4340 Steel crank 4.25" stroke
Square decked/zero decked
balanced within .5 gram
Moroso 20403 6qt pan (running 5.5 qts)
Box stock RPM air gap intake
Not to mention all of the other Mark Jones voo doo he puts in his engines....no telling what all other machining tricks are in this thing....he spends a LOT of time maching/balancing everything himself.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
Yeah for the most part, what do you want to know?
Ported 049 oval ports.... good port 323cfm, bad ports 3teens cfm
Isky HYD roller, 238/248*, .578/.608", 110 lsa(billet core)
1.75 Intake roller rockers, 1.70 exh RRs
Morel Sportsman hyd roller lifters
Isky tool room single w/dampener springs, 185# closed/400# open
10.0-1 compression
Mahle 9.8-1 forged/coated small dome pistons, 4.31"
Scat 4340 I beam rods
Scat 4340 Steel crank 4.25" stroke
Square decked/zero decked
balanced within .5 gram
Moroso 20403 6qt pan (running 5.5 qts)
Box stock RPM air gap intake
Not to mention all of the other Mark Jones voo doo he puts in his engines....no telling what all other machining tricks are in this thing....he spends a LOT of time maching/balancing everything himself.
Ported 049 oval ports.... good port 323cfm, bad ports 3teens cfm
Isky HYD roller, 238/248*, .578/.608", 110 lsa(billet core)
1.75 Intake roller rockers, 1.70 exh RRs
Morel Sportsman hyd roller lifters
Isky tool room single w/dampener springs, 185# closed/400# open
10.0-1 compression
Mahle 9.8-1 forged/coated small dome pistons, 4.31"
Scat 4340 I beam rods
Scat 4340 Steel crank 4.25" stroke
Square decked/zero decked
balanced within .5 gram
Moroso 20403 6qt pan (running 5.5 qts)
Box stock RPM air gap intake
Not to mention all of the other Mark Jones voo doo he puts in his engines....no telling what all other machining tricks are in this thing....he spends a LOT of time maching/balancing everything himself.
Good value ($/hp) from that guy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
If I was doing a big block with an extra 100 lbs hanging over the front axle, would be more than a 396. Been in a couple well built 406 small block's that would take on just about anything, and just drop right in.
