New Member from Central Jersey

[dlc1979]

Found this board while looking for engine information.

I'm currently working on a '67 Nova SS Pro Street project.


Backhalved
16.5x31.15 rear wheels
Dana 60 w/PowerLoc - 4.10 gear
4-speed Richmond
Heidt's front subframe/discs/power rack
Covan guage package
6 point rollcage
Trunk mount: Fuel cell and battery
S&S 1 3/4" headers
Unknown weight - guessing between 2900 -3100 lbs.


This is to be a street car, with a pass or two down the 1/4 mile when everything is ironed out.

Engine I'm looking for: Top rpm 6500 - 6800, with torque above 500 ft/lbs. My budget is about $9,000, could go higher, but not wanting to, hoping to get carb to pan for this. How realistic am I?

Thanks.

dc

[dlc1979]

I forgot. Small Block only, too much invested in headers, accessories, clutch linkage, etc., to go BB.

dc

[want-a-be]

I can get you where you're wanting to go. If you're intrested let me know and I'll pm you my contact information.

Don

[dlc1979]

I'm interested.

As I've built this car, been thinking SB, 383ci, but am willing to let someone who knows more than I lead me in the right direction. In fact, quite honestly, I kinda like the Joe Sherman engines. If you take a look at his web page, although it appears to be a little dated, he lists a 383 SB that has 536 hp/522 ft lb tq for $7,200. This motor makes a lot of low-end torque and you wouldn't need to turn it more than 6500 rpm, which will make it live on the street.

Maybe my thinking is flawed, but it would seem that one could get in the 550 ft lb tq range and have a reliable motor for between $7,500 - $9,000, depending on how optioned you want it.

I used to piece together my own engines, street and drag, but with all the changes in technology, availability of new suppliers, parts, etc., just don't know these days what should go in one. I want an engine that runs, has enough torque to get this big-tired box down the road, and is reliable. If the car would run mid-high 11's, I'd be happy with that, but it most likely won't see much track time.

For instance, I have a '79 El Camino with a ZZ4 350, 355 hp/400 ft tq that's great. With 200-R4 and 8 inch wide tire on back, it's a little hot rod. I'm looking for the same style/fun with the Nova.

I'm getting the Nova to the point this winter where an engine will be needed by spring. It's a driver, not a trailer queen, so it does, and always will, have rough edges. I don't want a car that I'm afraid to chip the paint, etc.

dc
'67 Nova SS Pro Street (project)

[want-a-be]

Are you wanting to run a Dart Block or a stock block?

Don

[dlc1979]

I don't have a preference on stock vs. Dart. I'm looking for most output, longevity, reliability, etc. for my needs. Again, I'll listen to the experts.

Thanks.

dc

[want-a-be]

I think you'd be happiest with a Dart SHP block and 400 inches. If you don't have a block the cost of buying one, a stock block that is, then machining one up properly will be as much as half the cost of a SHP. The Block is the foundation of the whole engine build.
But if you don't want the cost of a new block then I'd lean towards the 383. I can do them both up for you. Which would be very reliable.

Don

[dlc1979]

The 400 ci option does interest me. What kind of hp/tq numbers would be possible with a streetable combo vs. same for 383? Are we talking about more hp/tq with a 400 vs 383 for the same money?

I can't PM yet. If you want to discuss this privately, you'll have to initiate.

Thanks.

dc

[want-a-be]

If you used the same parts in the 383 and the 400 you would get at least 25 more hp out of the 400. Thats assuming only 1 hp per cubic inch though that goes up as the hp/inch goes up. Which is pretty easy to get.

The amount of power anyone can make you depends on the parts you let them use.

I sent you a PM with some contact info if your're intrested.

You have to have at least 10 posts before you can get other user priviledges. So you'll get them in time.

Don

[dlc1979]

Got your PM.

I'll call after the first of the year.

I've got the rear-end on jackstands right now, rebuilding the posi.

Have company from Canada coming in after Xmas through New Years.

Thanks for all the info.

dc

[want-a-be]

Sounds good...looking foward to hearing from you. I should be able to help you set up the chassis also if you need any help there. Customers/friends who I"ve done their engine work for then to get alot more then just an engine from me when they need help with the chassis also.

Thanks, Don

[jsup]

Hey, if you want to pick one up locally, Pat Musi sells the shortblcok, he's in Carteret. Right off exit 12. He built my engine, 427 off the SHP sortblock with 215 Pro 1 heads.

[want-a-be]

I've heard good things about Pat. Might give him a call. After all he is about 15 hours closer.

Don

[dlc1979]

Hey, if you want to pick one up locally, Pat Musi sells the shortblcok, he's in Carteret. Right off exit 12. He built my engine, 427 off the SHP sortblock with 215 Pro 1 heads.

I looked at the Musi website, lists a 406 ci @ $10,499. It is a Little M block, but doesn't appear to have carb, distributor, etc.

So, that takes it a little over my $9K budget. Not bad, though.

More research after the holidays.

dc

[want-a-be]

I'm intrested in doing an engine for you...just not going to compete for it...lol
Have a good Christmas and the rest of the holidays that go along with it.

Don

[Awesome Bill]

I build 402CI or a 408CI SBC that think they are BBC engines. I own and operate Awesome Engines, a leading engine supplier for customers all over the world and yes, we have a dyno to back up and check every enigne sold and supply you with a warranty. We started the warranty program 4 years ago with the never heard of "You Break It I fix It For Free No Nonsense Warranty Program. Now everyone has their scary version of it. I back up our engines!

The 7000.00 to 9000.00 budget you have should be spent on brand new stuff. I would never stick a used block even if it had custom steel billet caps installed in anything like your doing and hope for the best. It seems you always wind up disappointed. Here is what I suggest for the biggest bang for the buck. This by no means is the only combination we have.

402CI SBC, 4.000" Bore w/ a 4.000" AERC 4340 Crank, nice square Torque Monster Engine. This engine on pump gas makes 570+ real HP and almost 590 ft. lbs of torque anywhere between 3000 and 6500 rpm with a solid lifter engine and 2500 to 6000 rpm with a Hyd roller. You get your choice of either camshaft. 6.000" AERC, 4340 Steel Rods with Wiseco 2618 real forged Nitrous o.k. pistons, all internally balanced into a brand new GM 4 bolt block that is fully race prepped to race specs. Includes Brass freeze plugs, not those cheap Chinese steel one that everyone puts in and they last now about 1 year. Brand new Dart 230 cc Aluminum Heads or RHS 235 cc Aluminum heads completely race prepped. Dual plane Air Gap or Single Plane Match Ported Intake Manifold with a brand new 750 cfm Holley carb. This would be a complete engine with HEI Distributor, wires, plugs, all assembled and dyno tested and tuned for your combination. Everything is complete with these engines and they will hold their own with any comparable engine out there. There are some upgrades you can enjoy but are not needed. $8999.00 Brand New Full Race SBC. Hows that for black and white and everyone can see. RACE READY NEEDS NOTHING, we even throw in a SFI Flexplate!

[dlc1979]

I build 402CI or a 408CI SBC that think they are BBC engines. I own and operate Awesome Engines, a leading engine supplier for customers all over the world and yes, we have a dyno to back up and check every enigne sold and supply you with a warranty. We started the warranty program 4 years ago with the never heard of "You Break It I fix It For Free No Nonsense Warranty Program. Now everyone has their scary version of it. I back up our engines!......

Bill - I like what I'm reading. No fuss.

I'll get in touch with you in a few weeks.

Thanks.

dc

[jsup]

I looked at the Musi website, lists a 406 ci @ $10,499. It is a Little M block, but doesn't appear to have carb, distributor, etc.

So, that takes it a little over my $9K budget. Not bad, though.

More research after the holidays.

dc

I paid $9K for the long block from him, 427, installed by his brother.

I had to provide the intake(including the injectors), the oil pan, oil pump..

You're looking at the Little M, look at the SHP.

[want-a-be]

I'm not from the East coast and I have heard of the dependability of Pat Musi built HP. Ought to give him a call any ways since your so close.

Don

Might consider starting a new thread in the "Chevy Engine Questions" or the " Chevy Engine setups" part of this forums. This one is actually suppose to be for meet&greet I think.