Hi, I'm looking for advice,what works,what doesn't etc on a new engine combo.It's an '89 IROC,5.7,75,000KM(40,000miles),D1SC Procharger,8 lbs boost,Superam intake,52mm TB,24 lb injectors,Dana 44 rear end,2800 stall 9" converter,fully built original 700 trans(completely rebuilt last winter with Probuilt Automatics Pro Street Elite kit,good for 750 hp plus),numerous Spohn suspension upgrades etc.The last run of the Friday night drags a couple months ago,it blew the top ring land out of #7 piston (still ran a 12.38,the last 300' on 7 cylinders,Lol)
So it's time for a new,bigger & better engine. Looking at either a 383,406,420 ci.The boost will also probably be doubled to 16 psi,I still want it totally drivable,reliable on pump gas.I've talked to one reputable engine builder/shop here (he hasn't got back to me with prices & info yet).He was saying the base engine combo alone should make 500 plus HP.Then add the 16 lbs boost and 700-900 HP on pump gas could be done reliably.They do alot of engines & alot of forced induction builds(turbos & blowers) & are well known for their tuning capabilities.I'm shooting for the 700 - 800hp range....hopefully.It still has to be dead nuts reliable & drivable on pump gas.The blower,intake set up,trans,suspension & rear end should all be up to it,so just need to build a long block for it.

Any advice on the different combos? Obviously forged pistions,roller cam/lifters,good crank (Scat??).
What cylinder heads with a Procharger? Trickflow,AFR or ???
The engine builder could probably choose a good cam,but any advice on that as well.
Brands of pistons,head gaskets? Injectors? Good,bad?
The headers are Hooker competition,1 5/8" & will be reused (to much work to redo the exhaust at this point.Custom made,ceramic coated pipes,y-pipe etc)

Thanks in advance for any input! I only want to do this once & do it right so it never has to come out again!

 

Maybe take a look at what I have in mine:
http://www.fbody.com/timeslips/member.cgi?id=845

Granted I am running a big turbo, but anything I've done with it so far can also be done with a D-1SC.

 

Fast82, thanks I will keep that info as some reference material. How much boost do you run? Looks like yours is set up more for higher rpm. I'd like to keep mine around the 6,000 max rpm as well as run on pump gas.Once I get more info from some engine builders here,I'll see what boost & HP numbers are realistic to have run & drive almost stockish...until you hit it!.Probably have to upgrade to a Bigstuff 3 system as I'm still running the stock ECM with the stock chip.I've owned the car since new and it still looks like new...and stock,which I like the best!

 

are you running an intercooler? thats a lot of heat for pump gas. yes, a forced induction cam has a much different profile than a n-a cam. i'm not running forced induction but i prefer the dart heads. the 1 5/8 headers are on the small side for 700hp since there's no turbo on the end of them.

 

I have the 3 core intercooler..the one that blocks most of the air going to the rad...Lol,seems to be a common beef with everybody that runs it.It's ok but once you get in the boost,the temps go up fast.I'm going to try a different water pump with the new engine.Maybe water wetter as well.
My HP estimates may be toned down a bit once I get some more info/prices from the engine builder.Still, 600 -700 should be reliable & steetable with the proper tune etc.

 

I'm using pump gas and 15psi, which is really only half using the turbo hehe. I agree that the header primaries are smaller than ideal, but I still have yet to use anything more than my 1 5/8" shorty headers. I'm thinking you're going to want a cam something like 23x/24x@ .050 and as much lift as you can get (1.6 rockers can help here). I've gotten a couple custom grinds from Bullet racing that have worked very well. I'd give them a call too and see what he says to meet you needs/wants. I don't see you building a 500+hp 383ci sbc motor n/a and still be as streetable as it sounds you want it to be. If you go more in the way of a 420ci sbc with some big heads, it gets more doable. Take a look at the 500hp trick flow kit in the summit book, and that's what it takes to make that kind of power. That kit is also what I had at one point n/a that made 405rwhp which is roughly 500fwhp.