I am talking to a machine shop here in town and we are having troubles understanding each other. I told him that I want a 355 or 383 short-block that will make 425-450 hp. He keep asking me all of these technical questions and I don't know much about building an engine. I want it to be streetable and have an aftermarket cam, I want to put Trickflow 64cc heads on it and a edelbrock performer t.b.i. intake manifold and the holley 670cfm throttle body. What do I need to tell him to get what I want through his head, and what do you guys think of this engine combo? Thank you

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Twells

1992 R.S. 25th Anniversary
* Borla
* Open Element
* Hypertech Chip
* Smog pump delete

Thats all for now!!

 

I think you've got bigger dreams than reality can fulfill. That kind of power doesn't tend to go with "streetable" for that displacement range. And, getting it with TBI is probably unrealistic as well.

I think the combo is okay - as much as you said - but 325-350 hp (slightly higher for 383) is more reasonable. You didn't say exactly what your machinist is asking, but he very well may be trying to get your feet back on the ground with his questions. You also didn't say what cam or exhaust you would use - very important to power and driveability.

Exactly how did you come up with those HP numbers? Your friend have a Mustang? I'm sure you'll find the jump up over stock to be quite satisfactory, even if you're about 100 short of what you quote.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlock header mufflers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1/94.6 @ 5800' Bandimere.

 

I think first of all u need to decide if you want a 383 or a 355. I went with a 383 because of the power(toruqe) produced at low end. If you went with a 383 you could definetely get into the 400 hp range with it being borderline streetable. I am about to install a different cam on my 383 on my quest for 400+ power. I have not choosen the cam yet but it will be a roller cam,roller rockers and lifters. Max lift would be .540 . As soon as I get the specs on this cam I will post them.

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Big 454 72 Chevy Nova
383 86 Camaro Z28
10.5:1compression 186 casting Heads,234dur.488lift exh&int,Edelbrock performer intake, Holley750 vac.sec 400 crank,flat top pistons,edelbrock valve springs and lifters,tranny shift kit,2500 stall converter. Will install 3.73's later on and might go with a more aggresive cam.As of 4/01 added Hooker Headers,2.5inchpipes with 40 s. Flowmasters.Ignition upgrade include: MSD Coil and MSD module.

 

Forgot to mention my setup is with a carb not tbi.

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Big 454 72 Chevy Nova
383 86 Camaro Z28
10.5:1compression 186 casting Heads,234dur.488lift exh&int,Edelbrock performer intake, Holley750 vac.sec 400 crank,flat top pistons,edelbrock valve springs and lifters,tranny shift kit,2500 stall converter. Will install 3.73's later on and might go with a more aggresive cam.As of 4/01 added Hooker Headers,2.5inchpipes with 40 s. Flowmasters.Ignition upgrade include: MSD Coil and MSD module.