Within the next year, I'll be replacing a tired TPI 350 (out of an 85 vette) with a new motor.

Now while looking around, the first thing that caught my eye was World Products' aluminum head 427 small block rated at 530hp and costs $8994.99 through Jegs.

I was also interested in the shortblock version because no matter which choice I go with, I'm going to be sticking a Miniram on top of it. If I go this route I'd only have to shell out $4594.99 for the shortblock and could put the rest in heads and the miniram intake and hopefully come out about the same as the turnkey version. If I go this route, could anyone give me advice on which heads to go with for the setup?

The third option, is Golen Engines' 383 longblock designed for the miniram which is rated at a smaller 460hp and costs $5,299.00.

Some of the concerns I have:
-fuel efficiency (not a huge concern) but I'd like to get 17+ mpg on the highway if at all possible (if not, then that's the sacrifice I shall make to the hp gods)
-cost obviously
-and the most important, power. Once the car is completely finished, I'd like to be able to hang with mildly modded C5's and Z06's and *hopefully* vipers (stock at least).

I still haven't decided if I want this car to be a road race car or just a drag racer, but when I talk about keeping with / beating the vettes/vipers I'm talking drag racing. Currently, It's an auto car but if I can ever find someone willing to let me use their car to learn on, I'd consider swapping over to a T56 but probably not before the engine is done (but probably quickly thereafter! since I can't see a stock 700R4 holding that much hp).

Any comments / criticisms are welcome or suggestions on other ways to make this kind of power would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Its all about the $$$. Weather you are road racing or just a drag racing. The more hp the faster you are. The 427 is a good way to go. Becareful with head choice. The miniram wont fit large port heads without modifications. A cutom made manifold might be the way to go and would allow for larger heads than the miniram will. Bigger heads+more cubes=more HP potiential. I had bought a miniram for my engine but the ports on my heads are very large and the miniram wouldnt fit them without considerable welding and porting. I'm having Jeb make me a custom tunnel ram out of a Holley Prodominator Tunnel ram. He will be working on it this week. If it works out I will post pics of it. He also has a singleplane manifold that is converted that makes alot of power also. Do your reasearch on the engine. There are alot of choices out their, even up to 454in small block. Like I said its all in the $$$ you want to spend. Also plan on spending another $2000-$3000 on misal. stuff like hoses, radiator, injectors, custom chip, wires, better trans with a better torque converter.

As for hanging with Z06's and Vipers. No prob. with a good 400++in engine. Do a search for SKI_DWN_IT and JEB and read some of their posts. They are running in the 10's and 9's in the 1/4mile. Their cars are full race cars but you could set your car as a street/roadrace car and still run in the mid to low 11's. I am planning on the 11's with my car and autocrossing/roadracing it also. With a 427 or a 434, Vipers and Z06's will only see your tail lights. I'm going to show them mine.

 

Even with the 427, you would still easily get over 20 mpg on the highway with fuel injection. Don't let that be a concern.

 

I had LPE do my short block and with AFR 190 heads unported and a Holley Stealth Ram and a custom cam, I could get 411 HP at the wheels in my Firebird. That had a 383 with a modified A4 and a 3200 stall TC. This is NA