Hello guys,

I've came into a point where a general repair of my '73 engine is needed. As the engine is going to be out of the car, I decided to give it some additional HP. It is a number matching block so if possible I'd like to keep the block in the car (but not necessarily).

I'd like to stick with a small block and juice the most HP from it as possible. 500+ is my vision, not sure if that's possible with a small block.

Now, here is where I'd like to know your opinion - do you recommend to:
a) stay with the stock and rebuild it as a 350 (for the cost of a less HP)
b) stay with the stock and rebuild is as a 383 stroker
c) go with a new crate engine (if so, any recommendations?)

I'm not going to race the car very often, just want to build a strongest small block engine possible, engine that a C3 deserves.

Thank you for your opinions.

 

for that kind of power all i can say is there is no replacement for displacement. i would buy a 383 or larger short block add a good set of heads and a cam matched to your car and you should have no problem.

 

Store the stock engine away and either buy a larger inch crate motor or build one up from another block. Lot's of 500 plus horse small blocks on this forum alone, it's very doable.

 

What size budget you working with?

 

At the moment, $5000. I just installed Vic. Jr. intake, MSD HEI, 600cfm Edelbrock carb, electric fuel pump & regulator, high volume oil pump and a new alu radiator. These parts are usable I guess. So I'd like to buy everything possible that is needed for the exchange when the engine is out of the car and the rest that can be upgraded with the engine in the car (heads maybe) upgrade later.
Not sure if this is the optimal way, just would like to save some money for not taking the engine out of the car again in the future (hope it makers sense).

 

A 383 stroker can definitely make 500+ hp
For $3700 I just bought a 383 alum head, roller cam making 432hp and 461tq from Blueprint Engines

$5000 should get you over 500hp

 

buy a crate gm engine from summit i would keep the hp around 300, 350, if you have a real 500 hp engine the ing fuel and drive line will have to be modified to make it a real runner. lot say they have 500 hp motors but if they put the power to pavement the car would come apart. lot of body twist need frame and bushings upgrand trans rear end that kind hp increase goes down the whole drive line to do it right. and if you just want to say i got 500 hp but can't use it what is the point.

 

5,000, you could reuse most of what you listed except for maybe the carb. Are you able to do most of the work yourself with the aid of a good machine shop? If so you could save some money there. You can get good short blocks from cnc-motorsports, lewis racing engines, dart ect but it would eat up more of your budget. hitting 500+ horse I'd go forged on the rotating assembly and pistons, but you'd be shopping strong to get it together for 5k. If doing most of the work and planning isn't important, check out vortecproperformance Mark has a 558 horse 406 for $7200, awesome prices with respectable power levels. I'd atleast go with a 383'' or up. You could Find a 4 bolt main 350 that checks out good and start from there, add a forged 3.75'' stroke crank, rods and pistons with the needed machine work would probalby be in the $3500 range if you did the clearencing and assembly yourself, add another $3000 or so for heads, roller cam, carberator, gaskets all this assuming you could reuse the valve covers, oil pan, water pump ect. Planning would be crucial to hit the desired power level. You may be able to get a good short block from a local machine shop. Good luck.

 

I agree ,store the numbers matching engine and do a 383+ci engine .look at a dart shp short block with some good aluminum heads and a roller cam.check out competition products for short or long blocks .hopefully others will chime in with sources for good priced short and long blocks .if you use your current block for a 383/396 short block build ,you will need good heads and a roller cam .you need to make enough vacuum to work with a corvettes needs .AFR heads seem to be the best bet .

 

I've not ever used compition products, but have never heard any bad about them either. If the option decides to give with the shp block, I'd recommend going 400".