My father and I recently picked up a 72 Nova project car that already has a Ford 9" and a 4-Link. Our main purpose is going to be dragracing and the odd street cruise to car shows, etc. I am hoping to run mid 10s N/A and mid 9's with a shot of juice.. My dad is mainly handling the car, and my project is the engine..

I know I want to go big block for sure but am not 100% sure on what I want to do.. I am thinking right now a 510ci 13:1 solid roller setup. I have been told that a 502 block bored to 4.500" and a 454ci 4.0" crank will allow me to rev to the 7500rpm range and with a killer set of heads should get me in the 800hp N/A range which is where I would love to be and should push a 3000# car to at least mid 10's N/A. For heads I am considering the AFR CNC's with a bit of extra work done to them by Agostino Racing..

Any thoughts on this setup? I have already price the 502 block and can get one for about $2500 CDN and the 4.0" crank for around $1400 CDN brand new.. The AFR heads are about $5000 CDN complete with all parts..

Has anyone built anything similar to this? I was thinking about the ZZ502 crate motor because of its price but it just will not get me in the power range I want to be without changing pistons, cam, etc.. So I figure its probably best to build it from scratch how I want to in the first place..

Any suggestions or feedback would be great!

Thanks in advance!!

 

Sounds like your on the right track. Since you have not bought the crank yet, how bout 4.25 for a 540. One of our forum members (542C2) has a 540 that makes 801 hp on pump gas with a single carb. With high compression and all the right stuff it is not hard to make a very reliable 850 HP with a 540.

Since you are going to run NOS, maybe cut the compression so you can run a bigger shot of NOS. Maybe down as far as 10.5 to 11 or so depending on the cam. It could run on pump gas around the cruise scene then hit it with 200-500 of NOS for the track.

 

Thats cool Matt that you and your Dad picked that car up. Did you get it without the 427 that was in it? Tons of options with BB's. I might go with one of these when my neighbor parts with a nice '64 chevelle I have 1st dibs on. http://www.worldcastings.com/docs/catalog/pg33.pdf
also crateengines.net

 

Is it ok to rev a 4.250" crank to 7500rpm or so like I could a 4.00" ?? Does it change any of the geometry of the motor so it isnt as good at high RPM?

I wonder what the highest compresion ratio I could go with that would still let me run 94 octane from the pump for on the street? I guess I could always mix 110 with it if I had to.. I just want to build this motor once and know that I will be getting the maximum amount of power out of it as possible.. I don't want to build something and then a year down the road wish I had went more agressive with anything..

Nitrous will definitely happen in the future once we get the chassis in the car figured out, tweaked and Im pretty confident that it won't go any faster without major changes.. I get bored quick so Nitrous is in the future plans for sure :)

 

Dave, thanks for the links!

We ended up going with a different Nova.. This one was a lot cheaper but didnt come with a motor, tranny or most other things.. Basically just a good body on a built frame with a 4-link.. Lotsa work to be done :) We are HOPING that we can get at least get it done and to the track for some shakedown runs before the end of next season.. We will see what happens.. At least I have something to keep me sane during the winter months! :)

 

Whenever I'm asked about heads, I always tell folks to check with DART. I personally think there the best. Good luck.

 

I have a little info for you...

I know several folks running 502 blocks in drag racing and in boats. They are pretty decent but in the 800 hp range it seems they start having issues. I've seen several broken main web areas as well as a few other cracks. On a good note, they are also running very low 9's (soon to be 8's) in a 3400lb+ car without NOS. Their version is using a 3.76 stroke and rpm in the 8500 range. Hp is in the 840 range with very mild Edelbrock heads (soon to get better!), roller cam and cast intake. It made 760-770 with a flat tappet cam, heavily modified GM oval ports and ran 9.70's or so in the same car. Both combos are around 13.5 compression

I also have a friend running a street racer type Camaro (read that light-3100 lbs) that uses a homebuilt pump gas 502 with ported GM iron oval ports and a Lunati Hyd. roller, a Dart intake etc. He is running consistent 10.30's with it without NOS too.

I would spend the money on a Merlin, Dart or GM block if you don't want to mess with it, especially after you start spraying it.

Unless the car is real heavy, a much lower revving 540 could get you into the 9's I think with much less radical and high maintenance parts.

A 509 or so will make similar HP at a somewhat higher rpm, but the 540 can do it easier and make lots more midrange. If you can hook it up, the 540 is great. I know 542C2 has his planned to go into the 7500 range. I have mine geared for the 6500 range. But during dyno testing it has exceeded 7500 quite a few times. No big deal, just no need on my setup.


JIM

 

Actually, I think I found a real good deal on a Merlin 4.500" block for $2100 CDN ($1300 US) and the best price I could find on a GM 502 block was $2500, so I think I will definitely go with the Merlin block which I know can take lotsa power and some serious juice in the future.

I was speaking with Wade at Agostino Engines and he suggests we take the Merlin block to 4.600" and go with a callies or cola 4.250 crank and make it a 565ci. He says naturaly 9's will not be a problem at all with this setup in a chassis that can handle it.. I figure I might as well get the most power and cubes out of this as I can because the cost isnt really effected when you already need teh block, crank, etc.

I appreciate everyone's input and would love to hear some more!




[Modified by MattG, 3:30 PM 9/30/2002]

 

According to my caculations, your set up would yield 565 CU in and not 465 cu in. EIther way, it's a monster. Good luck.

 

You are correct, that is what I meant to say! :) I will correct it..

 

Why dont you go with a Merlin Block and go 4.6inch bore and 4.75inch stroke. 632ci, I calculate at good flow and with 12.1 compression would give about 975hp. I want to get a 72 or 74 and use this setup :yesnod: :cheers: :yesnod:

 

I do like the idea of staying with slightly less compression and going more cubes, but I want something that can rev pretty high and I fear a 4.750" crank wont like 7000rpm too much..

 

[QUOTE]I do like the idea of staying with slightly less compression and going more cubes, but I want something that can rev pretty high and I fear a 4.750" crank wont like 7000rpm too much..

Motors that big require a lot of maintance, very big cams with a lot of spring presure. I am not a big fan of aluminum rods for the street either.

I liked 427 Hotrods ideas, he knows his stuff very well.

What about a procharger ? :chevy

 

you should consider some light valve gear and upscale rockers for operation over 7K.

I would build a bigger displacement, keep the revs down and let the ooof dah grunt (torq) get you there with a lower maintenance engine.

changing valve springs can be a drag. the real stiff springs needed for high RPM operation can make the maintenance a pain.

 

Yes aluminum is weak but you can always go with a Forged Steel 4.75inch stoke crank. Yeah with that much stoke it is highly unlikely that it would rev up so high. But you really dont need 7000rpm right :flag

 

Matt

Contact me off line, I have a 4.250" crank & rotating assembly, that will save you a buncH of money & HEADACHES,