Hey guys I have 85 Bird and its only got a 6 and my uncle has a older 396 dont know if it has a tranny but thats besides the point. Now will this be a desent swap because I would like it to be fully rebuilt with some preperation for later like cam new pistons/rods, plus I would like to get it bored over .30 or so what will that bring it up to? I would then like to get a T-56 to put behind it but am still unsure about that. Plus all the other goodies I need to make the thing fit in my car and make my car solid enough to handle it all for about 3 to 4 thousand dollars, Do you think that is possable? Any input would be welcome weather its good or bad if anyone has ideas as to how much power it will have thats welcome to!

Kyle

 

I should add the engine is free to me so I dont have to pay for that!!

Kyle

 

honestly, i dont think you will make it on your budget. Big blocks tend to cost a little bit more. The machine work will be expensive. Does the engine need to be bored? If not, its a waste of money. There will be no appreciative gain from Boring the cylinders. I know its starts a whole new argument, BUT, if you are going big block, why not go to a 454? You are already saying you want to replace rods, pistons, and have all the machine work done. The only real cost difference is a rebuilding core from the JY. 100 dollars, give or take. Much more power though. Its really hard to guestimate HP. Even the dyno simulators cant do it very well. My advice would be to seek out known combos, and go from there.

You may want to consider going small block instead, it would probably cost less in the long run, and you would come closer to making your budget.

 

Get the casting #s from the heads. There are good ones out there, and poor ones. No reason at all to spend money on poor ones, and if you don't have good ones, no reason to go with the 396.

If they're good ones (mine were), then a .030" over 396 is 401.8 CID. It's a decent base for a "baby Rat" build. The most attractive part is the initial cost - but again, if you don't meet the Paragraph 1 requirements, it probably isn't going to be worth it. Certainly a "decent" closed chamber BBC head will flow as well as very good SBC heads. Chamber design probably isn't as optimal as the latest SBC performance heads. And, the extra 100+ pounds of a BBC takes some power to overcome. The engine is also taller, so a cowl hood should be assumed.

As long as you understand the pros and cons, it's probably a worthwhile pursuit - as long as you appreciate the cons.

 

What are your goals for the car? Daily driver? Race car?

Although I agree with what Five7 said, even the lesser BBC heads would still be decent for a daily driver or street strip car. If it is a 396, then even the worst heads will likely be better than the worst heads the 454 got through the mid '70s, and even those heads can work on a stout street/strip car.

A BBC is more expensive to build and to install than a SBC would be. Be prepared for that at the very least, as well as what Five7 said.

 

I'm with you five7. I DO know first hand the expense that goes into just making these cars hold more power (big or small block).

I like to see those old 396's used. The cool thing about a 396 is that because of their small displacement, you don't need a $3,000 set of heads to make them breathe. Large oval ports are plenty. If you have one of the later 396's, you might actually have a 402. In the end, Chevrolet called the 402 a 396 because of its past marketing success with the 396.

Back to the subject.....Unless you're a pretty good fabricator and price negotiator for parts, I don't think you can do it for your stated budget of 3-4 thousand dollars.

Hate to be negative

Boo

 

Even if you've got your set up right, with the T-56+ clutch ..

You still need SFC, posi rear end ... etc

And you have to find a garage that can install it right .... $$

 

Well I was looking to make the car a daily driver, next time I'm at my uncles I will get the casting numbers. And I dont NEED a posi rear end mine will do untill money allows to make it into a posi unit or just replace it completely, and why would I pay somebody to do the work I'm fully capable of doing. I dont see the sence in that... half the fun is building the road racing machine the other half is piloting it

Thanks for the input, I guess things arent looking so good....

Kyle

 

396 isnt that known is the pushrod bender?? I have "heard" not saying its true, but i have heard, that the 396 geometry, has a bad angle from lifter to push rod, and tends to bend push rods under high stress?? GO with a real RAT!! 454 +.060 = 468!! and a good set of 049 bbc casting's, you'll make a easy 450-500 hp!

but......... I could be wrong about the 396....

 

as for installing, Honestly, the big block is easier! a couple guys at work did 2 exact same cars, both 84 camaro's. one had a 454 and another built a 355, they did the small block first thinking the big block was gonna be a real pain, well, they had not alot of fun with the small block car. Then it was time for the bbc! they said it slid right in no problems, and headers went in nicely.

 

A big block is a big block as far as that goes... doesn't matter if its a 396, 454, or a 502. The valvetrain geometry is the same, regardless of CI.