ty_ty13

iTrader: (42)

pushing the motor forward is always a bad idea.... if you looking for 600hp get a lt1 with a set of heads, cam, pistons, and rods, then spray the **** outa it.... youll be closer and on a much smaller budget...

prostock1455

I wouldn't waste my money on heads. Find an old set of 049 oval port heads, 10:1 pistons, a healthy mechanical cam, a single plane intake and at least an 850 carb. Depending how hard you want to run it, I would suggest rods, but factory 7/16" rods are good to 650HP. Depending on the cam, I would shoot for a 4000-4500 stall converter, and the highest gear you feel comfortable with.

I have gotten true, dyno'd 578hp out of mostly stock 396/402 big blocks.

Just plan before you leap. You will find that Big Block parts are cheap!! It cost the same to build a stout 396 as it does to build a 510.

305's, 396-427's, I have made very stout motors relatively cheap out of these motors. I have 305's touching the 450 hp level and still get 25 mpg in a 3600# Monte Carlo but still runs a respectable 13.33 in the 1/4. Mild 402's running 11.70's in a 3200# Trans Am. No juice, no blowers or vacuum cleaners.

Campton

iTrader: (1)

I know this is kinda old, but I would suggest the bmr or some sort of after market k member. And bolting the engine forward isnt a good idea, I did on mine but because of problems I have with the drive saft, but once I upgrade my trans Ill be putting my engine back in its hole. It sits about 2 inches foward from where it should sit. But it did save my wipers.

Truckracer

This is the best advice in this thread.

I would first look at how many parts you need to buy. If your crank & rods are good but the block needs work and pistons I would seriously consider finding a 454 block, and use your crank & rods to build a 427 combo.

Those 049 heads will work great on the smaller cubic big blocks.

I had almost the same combo you are asking about. 402 bored .060 (408 ci), oval port heads (No port work), Arias 12.5 pistons, Isky Z-89 solid cam, strip dominator single plane, list 4781 Holley on gas, 12" TCI 3500 converter, turbo 400, 4.11 rear gears, in a 4100# 67 pickup. Went 11.70's and was bullet proof.
We actually thought the heads were holding the truck back, so we put a set of 990 open chamber rectangular port heads that had been worked by one of Lee Shepard's head guys. With a matching manifold. The result ? IT RAN EXACTLY THE SAME NUMBERS.

That motor is still together, its been freshened a few times since 1984. Currently in the same truck, about 500 pounds lighter, on alcohol, injected, 10" converter, 5.14 gear. running 10.80's.

Older video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKTuGJbf3BY

JUICED96Z

iTrader: (2)

Im now selling my 468, aluminum heads with porting on the intake side, oil pan to carb, may be keeping the rockers and intake. Can sell with the full ignition also.

If you ask me I would get a SBC 383 or something for the weight, a 396 BBC is not worth the extra weight.

Motor takes 300 shots just fine. Come pick it up and I can give you a deal. With a better cam and the exhaust ports ported a bit it will run 10's on the motor EASY in a full weight third gen.