Hey guys,

I have no experience building an engine and could use everyone's help. My car's almost a 'roller' so im starting to think about what im going to do with the engine.

My goal is to get over 400+ hp. This car is not my daily driver so gas mileage and street manners are not overly a concern of mine. A few trips to the track are definitely in the plans and im looking fo an aggressive ride. The car has a built up 4th gen rear with 4.10 gears and the tranny will be built to support the HP as well. Subframe connectors and quality suspension parts have been swapped in to handle the additional power.

Heres what i currently have -
88-92 Goodwrench Crate motor set up for roller cam (Approx 5k miles on engine)
906 Vortec heads
Summit Vortec intake
Dynomax headers
Holley 650 cfm Carb
stock internals

What should i do in order to reach my goal? I would like to use as many of the parts above in this build, with the exception of the internals which i wouldnt expect to remain stock. I have someone who can help me with installation but he's a Ford guy and isnt offering much for an SBC motor options.

I'm not opposed to adding nitrous if that is a consideration. Turbo seems to be beyond my capabilities at this time so that wouldnt be an option.

thanks for your help!

 

you will need to upgrade your springs if you are keeping the heads. but to get you there and still have room to grow. a new set of heads will be needed.

i would look into the afr 195s. perfect head for the street/strip car. but you will most likely want 58cc heads to bump your compression up. you will be able to run a much bigger cam this route.

400hp needs a 750 carb

cam choice is really depending on if you are wanting to get the 400hp out of ypur current heads or new.

 

Yea i think its going to be kinda tuff hitting that 400 rwhp number with stock vortech heads. I would also go with the afr 195 heads and and a 560 or higher lift cam. You are going to need a 3600 stall and a 750 carb.

PS: that 10 bolt isnt going to last very long behind 400+ rwhp, I broke mine with a stock ls1.

 

Vortechs cant get me to 400hp?

I was planning on having them machined to support the higher lift with a bigger cam. What Cam will give me the most power? I dont care about gas mileage or street manners too much.

I plan on getting a 750 carb.

The rear end was built up by the previous owner, who had a 500+ hp LS1 motor in front of it.

 

id prefer to use my current Vortechs, which are in great shape. They will be machined to support the additional lift of a bigger cam.

Whats a strong cam for this setup?

I will probbaly be going with a Edelbrock or Holley 750 carb.

 

Also, the pistons and crank are both forged. Not sure if that makes any difference or not.

thanks

 

That 10 bolt need to be in a museam if it was holding up to 500+ hp. I dont see those heads making the 400 hp mark without some help from a good port job. They are just a glorified lt1 heads and i dont see no cam only lt1's hitting the 400whp mark.

 

i am using gm vortec heads, and i will be using the lunati 60103 cam. i bought alex parts springs, retainers, locks and viton seals. i will also be cutting the guides down. also i will be using a 750. i plan on breaking 400 hp to the flywheel.

OP-
you will need to pick a cam that has a longer exhaust duration. NOT A SINGLE PATTERN CAM. to get power out of it. you should be able to get 400 flywheel hp out of it.

your only problem is the compression. stock goodwrench motors are 8.5:1 compression. you will have to have the heads milled( if they are able to) to raise your compression to achieve this hp goal. look to be around 9.5 to 10:1 and a dcr of low to mid 8s to make the best power and run pump gas.

also if your running higher gears like a 2.73 or 3.08 then your gas mileage wouldnt be too bad still. i was getting 19mpg with a built 350 and 2.73 gears

 

No it dosnt, Ive built 350 vortec combos with mild hydraulic roller combos, and performer RPM intake, and 650cfm carbs(a AED 650DP) and hit the 400hp mark, dyno proven.

 

thanks for the info!

Are you cutting the guides down yourself or having a machine shop do it?
How much did it cost you for the springs,retainers, locks, seals?

I have 4.10 gears so im expecting bad gas mileage. Im expecting to put about 150 miles on the car a month so its not a concern.

Sounds like im in the ballpark once i get the 750 carb, some work done on the heads and a good cam selection.

 

can you tell me the cam you used?

thanks

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...cam-build.html

i based it off of what a member running in the 9s has said. 99% of crate engines that make 400hp or a little more use a 750cfm carb.

 

I dont build "crate" engines. I also build engines in the 6's.

 

The cam I ran was a Comp XR264HR, I trimmed the tops of the guides for the extra clearance needed on the retainer to seal clearance. Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, AED 650 DP carb. Minor bowl blending to the heads, 9.9:1 CR