I’m trying to build a 95 350 4 bolt main, I have a 400 crank, pistons, rods, flywheel, hormonic balancer, I have a set of Vortec heads I’m going to get Machine to 2.02 ext, and 1.60int, what type of cam should I run, I also got a holly 750 carb I’m trying to make at less 540hp with 600lbs torque, I will be putting this in my street strip car 67 amc rambler scrambler, looking for advice

I also have a set of 170 trick flow heads should I use these in stead of the Vortec heads

 

Neither of those heads will get you 540 hp without alot of port work and 600 lb ft aint happening from 388 without nitrous or boost

you need more like an AFR 210 or equivalent. 500-550 lbft is more realistic for that power imo

 

Thank you for the information

 

Your desired hp number can be reached with a 383 built with lots of compression, the biggest roller cam that the rods will clear, bigger heads than you mention, and a larger carburetor. To get 600 ft lbs of torque will require a power-adder of some sort, and you'll likely be running on the ragged edge of reliability on the street.



A better option for achieving your goal numbers might be a more modern platform such as an LS-based motor.

 

You could do that with a supercharger, but it's not likely to last long term - especially at the strip. The block, and especially the stock 400 crank aren't going to take that forever. Either a main cap will blow off, or you'll snap the crankshaft.

GD

 

I understand but I don’t have the money to spend on a ls swap atm

 

Ls swap aint getting 600 lb ft either. Theres no magic there but they can get to 540hp abit easier

 

You can make 540hp with a carb, 10-1 compression, 231/235 cam, and .560 lift with 380-385. But it takes a really good cylinder head.

 

Building a reliable 500+ hp 383 isn't going to be cheap either. Just the required machine work alone on the block and that old 400 crank is going to be expensive, and money better-spent towards the cost of a used LS if you shop around. Adding a cam/valve spring swap to said LS, while not reaching your desired hp/torque numbers, would still provide a reliable, strong-running car with lots of potential for power increases in the future as your budget allows.


Whatever you decide, GL.


ETA:
Going up to 388 (instead of 383-.030-over) requires that old 350 block to be overbored .060, an iffy proposition due to core shift sometimes found in those original old castings. If you do this, make sure you have the machine shop sonic-check your block so that it will take the overbore without causing problems. Some shops will do this as a matter of course when working on old castings, some will only do so on request.

 

I understand I’m am going to do a ls swap later on I’m just trying to get my feet wet by starting out with a 383 then I’ll upgrade to a better set up

 

I also had a typo on Original massage it should have been a 383 not a 388 I was trying to figure out why the 388 capt coming up lol

 

Where does the thirdgen Camaro or Firebird enter the equation?

 

It don’t lol

 

Sell what you have and build what you reall want now.

Only way youre getting that kind of na tq and reliability wihtout spending a LOT will take a big block

Get one out of a truck, portsome oval ports or used Edelbroks? used intake, HEI even a flat tappet cam can easily get over 500 reliable hp and 540 tq.
A cast crank bottom end will do it, 2 bolt main. If you find a roller block then its even easier. Their weak point is low compression...easy enough to fix.

I have a 500+hp 383 and most wouldnt want to live with it very long. It will have a short lifespan stuff breaks long before it should.

Youll easily blow 8k on a half decent 383 and want more after a few weeks.
Big blocks are cheap and can do it all under 6000rpm. My last one was cheap, all iron flat tappet etc. Ran high 11s with a small cam it was my daily for a long time.

 

Then you don't have the $$$ to build a 500hp+ car either.

Getting SBC gen 1 to 500hp is more expensive than getting LSx to 500hp.

Both are expensive as there are associated parts that need to be purchased.

 

I disagree because you will have alot of money just tied up into getting the LS into the vehicle.

My ~520 hp 383 was in the $4,000 range intake to pan. Kept the gen1 because the LS barely fits and maintainence impossible. Valve covers cannot even be removed from a LS without removing the engine or body. Has been reliable so far even towing. Drives like the stock 5.7 Vortec with ALOT more power. I make peak power in the 5,700 rpm range. LS is not making 500 ft/lbs at 3,500 rpm either!

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used parts? 4k seems awfully cheap. Don’t you have 1500-1800 into the heads /cam?

 

I'd spend $4000 more for a 23 degree over a LS or BBC any day of the week for a third gen!

But that's just me!

 

I know my AFR 195 heads were in the $2k region by the time I added the vavletrain upgrades.

I know just a basic rebuild of a good short block is in the $1500 region too.

 

Only thing used is the block, intake & injectors. I did reuse my headers. I did not count the headers, exhaust and air intake system.

Just careful shoping and planning. The crank was an Eagle. Rods are aftermarket 6" I got new in the box for $150. Pistons & Rings were $450 forged. Block came from summit.

I don't have an exact total but it was in the $4K range. Definately nowhere near the $8K mentioned above.

 

On my engine, only thing used was the block, everything else new. I went overkill. LW Scat crank and rods, etc. With my cost in the heads, and I did all the assembly work, I have $9K in my 379 in just parts. I had $1800 in the throttle body, elbow, manifold, and injectors, with no manifold porting labor.

 

My intake, fuel rails, injectors, throttle body, 4" air intake system, 100mm MAF and Spectre 4" carb bonnet were less than $800 all together. I went with a used marine intake setup and kept the existing 54 lb/hr injectors after they were cleaned and flowed professionally.

If I had to count the headers, exhaust, and buy the stuff I reused from the 350 like the oil pan, I would be in the $5500 range. Long block was $4K reusing the oil pan, 24x crank reluctor and low mileage GM single roller timing set.

I figure most people are transitioning from a mildly hopped up V8 in the first place.