alright me and my old man want to build a 396 for a 1980 camaro we got. im lookin for at least 500hp out of it. my question is what are the best heads and cam to acheive this goal?

 

Small block or big block?

If big block, good heads are hard to find for the 4.096" bore. Most have chambers and valves that are too large. Pistons are more difficult to find to give proper compression.

500 HP 454 - piece of cake. Same external size & weight, cheaper more plentiful parts. Even a 4.250" bore block & the 3.76" stroke 396 crank (i.e., a 427) is a better choice.

I suppose you're going to say, "We already have the 396." Yeah, me too. Which is why I can say what I've said.

 

But if you insist, get the Edelbrock 290cc oval-ports with 100cc combustion chambers.

 

I ran a 396 a few years back, and built another one for a friend.
So why build a 396? probably because you already have one and dont feel like spending the money on a 454. been there done that and completly understand. here's what I did for my low buck butt kickin 396.

I found some used 12:1 speedpro pistons and 3/8 rods for about $175.00. They were .060 and in real nice shape so I went for it. I got a nice set of rings and of course had it bored. I had a cast crank, but now days you can pick up a steel crank real easy for one of these. I have 2 366 cranks in my garage right now, they will work great, just need some re-balancing done. For a cam I went with a crower circle track flat tappet cam with .600/.615 lift ground on a 106 or 107 degree LC (dont remember right now) I think the duration was around 250*@.050. For heads I used some factory large ovals with the stock valves. The Open chamber heads lowered the compression down to somewhere in the hi 10's or low 11's. a used c396 intake (now days called a performer) and a 750DP. hooker competition series headers with 2" primaries.
It ran stronger in a 67 camaro than the 600+hp Dynoed 13:1 roller cammed/aluminum rod, big headed 355 we had in it previously, for about 1/4 the price.
I'd still try hard to find a 454 if you can, but a 396 can be built to run strong realy easy.