New Gbody owner wanting to pick your brains

[svltrack]

The internet is such a wonderful thing these days. Just when you think you have sourced all the possible places for products you find 20 more to page though & see what special mixes they have for you. The one guy's statement is 100% true to do your homework. Opinions are good as this is an opinion thread, having read your posts I bet after you have flooded your brain till the money is avaliable you will have the answer you want easily.

Honestly for what it sounds like you want to do I would go with a nice 454 with a mid range cam. It will be reliable which is always nice and also make that twisting force you need.. Nobody wants to rebuild engines all winter

That engine dyno is cool but man that spike in torque is not my favorite..

 

[patmckinneyracing]

I'm looking at this as if he is starting with a bare block 350 and going from there. If you want to buy someone elses built engine thats fine too. I don't trust anyone elses work but my own thats why I do my own engines, paint jobs, etc.

The 383 isn't the same as a 350 since your having to buy a stroker kit which is a hefty price too. I'm not talking no cheap kit either, I'm talking all forged components, not cast crank and pistons rods cause thats just junk. You can find a BBC 454 for cheap. I've seen plenty for 3-400$ for a complete longblock with brackets and everything.

A mild 454 can make those numbers with just an intake, carb, and cam. Your having to buy aluminum heads, stroker kit, and all the other parts to build a sbc to come even close to what a 454 is able to accomplish. Spend a couple hours a night going through the internet and reading articles and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[shotgun]

This should get it done for you, although it is NOT a big block being a Pontiac and all. 😀

http://www.pontiacstreetperformance.com ... 5jh99.html

 

[Lumpy]

First off you guys are terrible. I had previously been contemplating a BBC but it didn't seem like the way I wanted to go and now you guys got me ripped in 2 again lol. The thing about the big block is I would still want all forged internals and from the research I have been doing that is going to be really expensive for A 454. I was planning an all forged 383 w/ aluminum heads that would put out around 500hp NA but at the push of a button could have around 700hp. Now with that being said what cast parts of the 454 are gonna be able to support a 200 shot of nitrous or would 700 be a streetable horsepower level in a NA big block

 

[shotgun]

Are you "number chasing" or "performance chasing"?

What is the ultimate goal for the car?

What kinda et would make you happy?

I ask because I have had plenty customers chasing a certain number and wasting time on a dyno.

I get a car, make it reach thier goals and could give a dam what the dyno says.

 

[Lumpy]

My goal would probably be low 10's but something I can still take out driving every once in a while

 

[Lumpy]

BTW sorry if i'm annoying you guys i'm just a diesel mechanic. I work on cummins ISX and detroit 60 series all day. Maybe I should just put a 700hp 1400ft lbs ISX engine in lol.

 

[megaladon6]

unfortunately the "cheap"option went out the window when you said nitrous (i think a few posters may have missed that part). sure if it was a 25 shot who gives a sh*t, but a 100+? you absolutely have to have forged pistons. i don't know for sure past that (never researched no2 as i don't personally like it) but i think i can safely assume forged rods (they at least are cheap) and a forged crank. a forged crank for a 350 is "custom" and is no different in price from a 383 crank as the molds have to be made by the forger! they are NOT made from old OEM molds. but compared to a BBC, which is rarer (even the ubiquitous 454) and comes under supply and demand, you still save some money. that's compared to a stock crank, throw forged on top of it and $$$$$ plus you save money on ALL other parts (heads, valvetrain, etc). and you can use standard springs and keep your cornering ability. putting a heavy *ss big block up front and taking curves? no thanks! (btw that's the disadvantage of the diesel---when GM finally releases the 4.5L? small v8 it'll be a different story or you can use a VW or bmw twin turbo v6 diesel)

 

[Lumpy]

Ya that Cummings deal was just a joke. I have done some research on the BBC and I'm just gonna stick with the 383 build it like I was saying and have fun with it. If I have to change it up BC its too much for the street then that's what I will do. That's part of the fun of it.

 

[svltrack]

The zz454 comes in right around what a SBC would be as far as weight goes. Either really are not going to be that great for turning one of these though. To get a gbody to really handle you have to gut it & do heavy suspension mods(ideally also move the engine/transmission back some). To build both a low 10 second car that takes the turns well from my research is going to require either an LS deal or a totally maxed out SBC which will be no fun for daily use, not to mention a mini-tub at the very least.(no regard to rear end gearing or race fuel)

I guess maybe the question I would ask you are you trying to build a drag car that can still handle and you can take out once in a while... Or are you trying to build a car that you can drive when it is nice and take it to the track a couple of times a year? I think once you know the answer to this the rest becomes pretty easy