I have always run Penngrade in my engines, I spoke to Joey about it since they run Schaffer's but he said it can be hard to get. I told him what I use and he said that will work just fine.

 

The car has been a manual for the past 38 years, I put a TH400 in it 2 years ago because I kept having issues with the trans and shifter. My uncle had a spare 400 that came out of my dads old caprice so I figure I’d try it. Right off the trailer the car went 11.50 6 times in a row, this was with my Littel sbc that was setup for spray(11.50 off bottle) I knew the car would be faster if I changed the gear and converter but that would be too much on the bottle.

I had always planned to put a manual back in it, been looking at the new TKX or even a G-Force this is when I was planning to go with a 434sbc. I have now changed my entire setup and went with cubes. It will be tricky getting a clutch setup right for a manual but it can be done, for now the 400 will stay. I just had it freshened up and PTC is building me a new spragless converter. I’ll run this for a while to see how the car acts.

this is not a Hwy cruiser so a 3 speed will be fine. My uncle just put a 700r4 behind his 540. He’s working through some bugs, I’m waiting to see how it irons out. 1st gear is really short so he may need to change the ring gear. I’m gonna wait to see how that goes before I makes any changes, a TH400 is tried and true behind some power and if I really wanted to I could use a gear vendor setup…..my driveshaft would be 10” long lol!!!

 

is a new generation Dart Big M, one main reason was it allows this much cubes with a standard 9.8” deck. I didn’t want to fight with headers. I got a standard set of BBC 2 1/8 side pipe headers for it. I may loose a few ponies up top with 2 1/8” primaries but this is a street car so not at all worried about it.

 

yeah my L-88 may not work but Dynamic Corvette makes a taller L-88 style I will use if I need to. Standard headers should work no probelm.

 

What mufflers in the sidepipes? Hookers?

 

I use the same as well they recently changed the look of the bottle a little bit it now says synthetic oil it used to be partial synthetic 20-50 I called them and they said its still partial what ever that means but either way good stuff the only problem I have is with a new motor and the Brad penn oil its hard to see the oil on the dip stick maybe me just getting old .

 

it’s got a set of classic chambered mufflers in it, I don’t remember which ones but that are a straight through design. It knocks down a good bit but still very loud. That was with my little 355, it’s gonna be a different game with this new combo. I may have to play with a few different mufflers until I find something I like that is not real restrictive

 

I just went to Summit last week to grab a few parts, I ordered some 10w-40 for the cool weather and then typically run 20w-50 in the summer. Is the new formula still green? It is a little tough to see but it’s really good oil!

 

It must be nice to just walk in to a summit store and yes it's still green.

 

It’s just over an hour drive but yes it’s very nice to have it so close. With Free shipping I typically order but it’s so fun to go 😬

 

Got her all cleaned up, just need to do some touch up paint in the engine compartment and the fun part is ready. Really loaded down with work so it will have to wait until February to drop the engine in.

 

if you're using the GM L88 drop-base air cleaner, you might be able to fit that under a L88 hood.

 

I do not have one but that will be my first attempt for getting it to fit. Thanks.

 

As to oil, and it didn't matter if it was a 4 cam, 4 valve, v12 or something as lowly as my 7500 rpm v8 in my vette. We were not paid by some sponcer so all of them got Valvoline VR1 high zinc racing oil multi weights or combinations of single weights

You don't know what a motor needs until you run it and watch the oil pressure. So in my case with the 8-quart system, I might have 5 quarts of 10W-30 and 3 quarts of 20W-50 VR1. I have a new tight 434 sbc with a high volume pump with the bypass port on the block plugged off and I try to keep the motor between 200 and 210 F or 95 to 100 C 195 high flow Stant thermostat. So I end up with @ 30 psi hot idle and it rises to @ 75 psi at anything over 5000 rpm. I have machined all my heads for larger drain back holes on either end and the block has cam valley vents and sealed to prevent windage from oil pouring down on the crankshaft.

I also use valvoline synpower 75w-140 in my big buck rear end. My ACT clutch and pressure plate worked wonderfully doing 10 back to back runs on a hot day with big road racing slicks with a string of high 10 second passes not even trying to be hard on it. Just drive back around and right back into the stagging lights. I was pulling my tired 434 for a rebuild.

VR1 Racing High Performance High Zinc Motor Oil - Valvoline

Dished pistons to keep the compression down to 11.54 on this build and valve clearanced for my over .700 valve lifts. Motown block

 

I read later it was standard deck, so yes, it’s easy from there. My 454 with a performerRPM fits fine, but no room for a spacer. I’m surprised it’s standard deck, that’s great.

 

That is a super cool engine! Have fun!

Boy that's a lot O HP for the street. Mine has 600hp/600+lbft and here is how I describe driving it:

"Driving my Corvette is like dating a super hot, bi-polar stripper. It looks awesome, lots of exciting fun, your friends envy you. But in the background you spend about half your time trying not to **** her off".

 

yeah for sure it’s a lot for a street car but I went after an engine setup for fun factor! It was a hand full with my sbc and 4 speed so this should be exciting lol

 

When I first put in my racing 427 sbc with the 3800 stall and 4.11 rear end I went out and tested it. I came home and told my wife that I didn't think that it was a good idea for her to ever drive it again! It was learning curve for me to even use WOT at slower speeds. I actually gave up on the manual automatic and switched to the 5 speed so it would have traction.

 

That is super COOL! be sure to post some vids on YT for us to see this thing in action!

 

for sure there will be a learning curve on how to drive it and what the car will do. Fortunately the rear I got in it the car comes out dead straight. The first time I launch this thing will definitely not be to the floor board. Will have to play with it and see how it acts.