Isphius

Ok heres the deal. My GF wants to build a small block with me as a winter project so she can learn the inner workings and have a badass camaro. It has a 350 now, stock heads/cam etc. Im going to pull the motor, redo the rings (only about 60k miles) and then basically new heads, cam, single plane intake, holley carb, the whole deal. I need to know, can i make 400hp from iron heads easily with the stock 9:1 compression or whatever it is (ill have to find out)? If so, what are some recomendations as far as port size, valve size, brand, make, etc. Thanks for any help! and also, what kinda cam specs would i need to get to 400hp or close, and still keep the torque up and use the stock trans. Im not expecting to do it cheap either, in case you were wondering. I also would like to keep it to around 6000 rpms, whatever stock 2 bolt can take. nothing crazy. I realize to make that power with low compression and still keep the torque it will need to be extremely efficient and everything will have to match up well. So let me know what you SBC experts think! And if i have to use aluminum heads, so be it, but i dont really want to! Thanks in advance

trailwart

im no expert but there is plenty of reading on the following sites in there tech sections. they have many different builds with detailed machine work and parts lists.
super chevy
chevy high performance
car craft
hot rod


there are many sbc builds on those sites from mild to extreme. they also have alot of articles on what it takes to get to xxxhp. there is a 500+hp 355 they did on 1 of those sites not to long ago.

1997bird

iTrader: (2)

If you already have a set of the older double hump heads I would re use them. If not I would run a set of the late model (96-01) Vortec heads as they would hit your target easy. Here is a link to look at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...=p4506.c0.m245 . I would highly recommend "decking your block", this is around $120-175 usually and is worth its weight in gold for a cleaner burn, better gas mileage, less chance of detonation, and more "free" HP. I would have them leave the pistons sitting over the block surface .005". STAY AWAY from any single plane intake manifold for the build that you will be completing. A Air-gap style intake manifold would be perfect for your engine build, 1500-6500 rpm. Comp Cams makes a nice off of the shelf cam that will hit your HP goal, the part number is 12-242-2 ( http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...x?csid=86&sb=2 ). Here is a link for a price: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COMP-...=p4506.c0.m245 . I would look for carb along this line for every day driving, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...=p4506.c0.m245 .