big power n/a builds? 
big power n/a builds?
My build should be between 625 and 650hp at the flywheel...but it wasn't cheap and isn't using many standard off the shelf of popular parts.
Expect to spend more on your valvetrain then most people spend on their shortblock
.Let us know how much you have to work with and we can try to piece you together something. There really isn't a set limit to what an NA LT1 can do - just depends on how much you want to spend on it. It's basically a glorified SBC after all...
10 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 28
Mine should be up there as well, but a few key areas jack the cost up very high. My cam, lifters, and rockers totalled over $2500. There's plenty of cylinder heads that can get you there. AFR 227cc COMP ported, AI TFS 215cc ported, just to name a few. Any other sbc head that can flow over 300cfm can get you big numbers, you just need to get them converted. A single plane intake conversion is most likely a must too. Figure spending an honest $10k.
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Most builds in that higher power bracket will shift somewhere between 7500 and 8000 rpms depending on their cam and valvetrain. Smallblocks love revs, but you have to ditch the stock computer to get over 7k (or 7.2k depending on year).
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Prestonsburg, KY
with a stick in the car it would maybe make upper 500's last year........i would think the way it sits this year......it could possibly make real close to that 600.....maybeeee
math said last year it was making around that at the flywheel......et said 640 mph said 660..............but this year its up prob 40-50
math said last year it was making around that at the flywheel......et said 640 mph said 660..............but this year its up prob 40-50
Mine should be up there as well, but a few key areas jack the cost up very high. My cam, lifters, and rockers totalled over $2500. There's plenty of cylinder heads that can get you there. AFR 227cc COMP ported, AI TFS 215cc ported, just to name a few. Any other sbc head that can flow over 300cfm can get you big numbers, you just need to get them converted. A single plane intake conversion is most likely a must too. Figure spending an honest $10k.
At the end of the day though, the best recommendation that I can give you is to ONLY listen to people that HAVE or have BUILT the motor you are looking for (power level). You'll always be disappointed by following generic, regurgitated internet opinions. That is why 80% of LT1 NA builds are what I would consider "under performing", and those builds start becoming the "norm" for the LT1.
I agree 100% with Joel on this. The valvetrain is an area where many choose to skimp....hydraulic or solid roller. Although expensive, shaftmount rockers are beneficial on a hydraulic roller motor (a MUST on a solid roller). Also, a properly converted single plane is money well spent. The LT1/LT4 intake becomes very restrictive in more aggressive NA LT1 build ups.
At the end of the day though, the best recommendation that I can give you is to ONLY listen to people that HAVE or have BUILT the motor you are looking for (power level). You'll always be disappointed by following generic, regurgitated internet opinions. That is why 80% of LT1 NA builds are what I would consider "under performing", and those builds start becoming the "norm" for the LT1.
At the end of the day though, the best recommendation that I can give you is to ONLY listen to people that HAVE or have BUILT the motor you are looking for (power level). You'll always be disappointed by following generic, regurgitated internet opinions. That is why 80% of LT1 NA builds are what I would consider "under performing", and those builds start becoming the "norm" for the LT1.
My mild manner 396 made 580 on an engine dyno, thru a 770 Holley and 104 Sunoco. The cam is tiny and the heads are 190 castings that max out at around 275 @ .600. The cam is only in the .565 range on lift.
nice!!! thats great power!! yea i think steve may be cutting me a bit short on the 650 max up there ^ haha
I believe that the saying is, "You can't race a dyno".
I would add that you can't race a calculator either!
The OP needs to set a performance goal. Otherwise this thread doesn't make much sense. One man's idea of big power may not be the same as another's.
I would add that you can't race a calculator either!
The OP needs to set a performance goal. Otherwise this thread doesn't make much sense. One man's idea of big power may not be the same as another's.