Hi-Perf SBC Crate Engine Builders
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Hi-Perf SBC Crate Engine Builders
My 355 SBC suffered a broken head and block when #7 exhaust valve broke after mashing against the piston. It would have been another if it wasn't #7 as 3-4 more pistons had marks where the exhaust valves had made contact.
Now I am looking at upgrading the cubic inch to get more horsepower and torque. I've been looking at the following with carb:
Shafiroff 402 525hp build @ $10,700
Tristar 406 540hp build @ $8,700
CNC Motorsports 400 550hp build @ $10,050
I am still going to run the M22 and 4:11 gear, but will probably change the gear to a 3.73 with the broader torque curve of these combos and the horsepower peaks coming at lower rpms.
Any feedback on the builders and combos?
Thx, Gary
Now I am looking at upgrading the cubic inch to get more horsepower and torque. I've been looking at the following with carb:
Shafiroff 402 525hp build @ $10,700
Tristar 406 540hp build @ $8,700
CNC Motorsports 400 550hp build @ $10,050
I am still going to run the M22 and 4:11 gear, but will probably change the gear to a 3.73 with the broader torque curve of these combos and the horsepower peaks coming at lower rpms.
Any feedback on the builders and combos?
Thx, Gary
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
My 355 SBC suffered a broken head and block when #7 exhaust valve broke after mashing against the piston. It would have been another if it wasn't #7 as 3-4 more pistons had marks where the exhaust valves had made contact.
Now I am looking at upgrading the cubic inch to get more horsepower and torque. I've been looking at the following with carb:
Shafiroff 402 525hp build @ $10,700
Tristar 406 540hp build @ $8,700
CNC Motorsports 400 550hp build @ $10,050
I am still going to run the M22 and 4:11 gear, but will probably change the gear to a 3.73 with the broader torque curve of these combos and the horsepower peaks coming at lower rpms.
Any feedback on the builders and combos?
Thx, Gary
Now I am looking at upgrading the cubic inch to get more horsepower and torque. I've been looking at the following with carb:
Shafiroff 402 525hp build @ $10,700
Tristar 406 540hp build @ $8,700
CNC Motorsports 400 550hp build @ $10,050
I am still going to run the M22 and 4:11 gear, but will probably change the gear to a 3.73 with the broader torque curve of these combos and the horsepower peaks coming at lower rpms.
Any feedback on the builders and combos?
Thx, Gary
I've used cnc-motorsports before, good folks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Www.vortecproperformance.com
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Last edited by ajrothm; Dec 21, 2014 at 08:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
I have a Tristar 427 which came complete with ignition and carb. For the money I am happy with the build. I've heard CNC is good as well but the price was a quite a bit more for virtually the same engine. JMHO. 
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Www.vortecproperformance.com
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
I agree! Mark is building me an engine as we speak. He has been awesome to deal with and I highly recommend him!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Www.vortecproperformance.com
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Excellent, thx for the feedback.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Thx for your input. Opinions is what I am asking for so you are spot-on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 201
From: Willoughby Ohio
Www.vortecproperformance.com
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Mark can build you a 550+ hp small block for way under $10k, and it will actually last a while and not have Chinese parts in it. It's definitely worth calling him and talking about it.
From his site:
406 SBC 580 HP 558 TQ
10.2:1 compression
AFR aluminum heads
Big Block HP in a Small Block package.
Intake to pan-balancer to flexplate
Dyno tested $7295.00
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If In am buying a 550+ HP SBC crate engine I want aftermarket block, fully forged, internally balanced and dyno tuned with the carb and dist installed I will be using with similar restriction exhaust. Dialed in and test run.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I'm really surprised to see these horsepower figures for normally aspirated small block engines. Today's technology improvements with cylinder heads/valves etc? Are these large HP ratings for these small blocks due to fuel injection etc?
Reason I'm asking is that I hope to build up a 496/502 BB. I thought I'd be doing good to get 600 to 650 HP on pump gas with it. Looks like these SB engines are coming close.
Reason I'm asking is that I hope to build up a 496/502 BB. I thought I'd be doing good to get 600 to 650 HP on pump gas with it. Looks like these SB engines are coming close.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Is 500hp enough? Well u can buy ATK engines through Summit and their 500hp 383 #HP55C sells for $7200 w/24mo warranty. Includes carb, intake, fuel pump, water pump and dist. They advertize dyno tested and tuned - but FWIW i believe all the crate companies state that. I believe ATK is a much larger company than most crate companies as they are fairly huge in the auto and truck manufacture market.
I think the ATK is just as they advertize - the best bang for the buck.
I think the ATK is just as they advertize - the best bang for the buck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
I'm really surprised to see these horsepower figures for normally aspirated small block engines. Today's technology improvements with cylinder heads/valves etc? Are these large HP ratings for these small blocks due to fuel injection etc?
Reason I'm asking is that I hope to build up a 496/502 BB. I thought I'd be doing good to get 600 to 650 HP on pump gas with it. Looks like these SB engines are coming close.
Reason I'm asking is that I hope to build up a 496/502 BB. I thought I'd be doing good to get 600 to 650 HP on pump gas with it. Looks like these SB engines are coming close.
I am by no means the expert on the topic but my experience is that the aftermarket blocks (Dart & World Products) provide the opportunity for larger bores and increased stroke. That in combination with cylinder head and valve train technology improvements allow for some wicked increases in non-power adder (naturally aspirated) performance. Word is that these combinations won't last as long but I'm in this for the fun and excitement, not to worship and baby my car.
Cheers!
Gary
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Is 500hp enough? Well u can buy ATK engines through Summit and their 500hp 383 #HP55C sells for $7200 w/24mo warranty. Includes carb, intake, fuel pump, water pump and dist. They advertize dyno tested and tuned - but FWIW i believe all the crate companies state that. I believe ATK is a much larger company than most crate companies as they are fairly huge in the auto and truck manufacture market.
I think the ATK is just as they advertize - the best bang for the buck.
I think the ATK is just as they advertize - the best bang for the buck.
Yes, that is certainly an option.
Thx, Gary
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Are the 402s/406s using GM blocks or aftermarket blocks?
Like mako said, I'd much prefer a Dart 400 to a GM block.
I went with CNC Motorsports - had a custom build done to go get a cam and intake that would pass CA smog. It was a little cheaper as I provided them with a fair bit of parts, but it went excellently. Motor runs great and they were awesome from start to finish.
Like mako said, I'd much prefer a Dart 400 to a GM block.
I went with CNC Motorsports - had a custom build done to go get a cam and intake that would pass CA smog. It was a little cheaper as I provided them with a fair bit of parts, but it went excellently. Motor runs great and they were awesome from start to finish.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Are the 402s/406s using GM blocks or aftermarket blocks?
Like mako said, I'd much prefer a Dart 400 to a GM block.
I went with CNC Motorsports - had a custom build done to go get a cam and intake that would pass CA smog. It was a little cheaper as I provided them with a fair bit of parts, but it went excellently. Motor runs great and they were awesome from start to finish.
Like mako said, I'd much prefer a Dart 400 to a GM block.
I went with CNC Motorsports - had a custom build done to go get a cam and intake that would pass CA smog. It was a little cheaper as I provided them with a fair bit of parts, but it went excellently. Motor runs great and they were awesome from start to finish.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
That ci actually seems to be the sweet spot for a 400 build. I've spoken to a couple of cylinder head guys recently because I am swapping out my Dart 215 heads in favor of ported AFR's (got a good deal on them) and I was going to up my cubes to a 434 while the motor was out and they told both told me "no" don't go much over 412 cubes.
I already have a 406 so I didn't see the point in taking it apart for 6 cubes but that's what they said so sounds like your guy has a clue and that's more than some.
Good luck with the new bullet.
I already have a 406 so I didn't see the point in taking it apart for 6 cubes but that's what they said so sounds like your guy has a clue and that's more than some.
Good luck with the new bullet.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ