New BBC for the chevelle what to do?

[socalfandabodys]

Well I am wanting to build a new BBC for the chevelle with my deployment money. My question is what should I go with. I was thinking getting a 454 block and stroking it to 540. I also wanted to either add turbos or a pro charger. What do you guys recommend going with. The car will not be driven much because of my job. I want to be able to have it idle and stay cool in traffic as well as perform good at the track and highway. Some current specs on the car are
Moderatly built 396 with only 6,000 miles pictured below
2004r Bowtie overdrive trans built to handle 650 hp
eaton posi with 3.73 gears
The car runs great right now. Never gets over 180 even sitting in 100 degree traffic for hours and runs high 12's in the quarter. I just want some more power. By the way I am entertaining offers on the 396. So what do you guys recommend I build engine wise for the chevelle? Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

[gmorris]

Nice Chevelle...I have a '69 under construction myself.

First of all you can't build a 540 by stroking out a stock 454 block...at least not a standard mkIV. Generally to go 540 you start with an aftermarket block that allows a larger bore (4.5") or possibly a bowtie GM block. For a stock 454 about the biggest you can reliably go is a 496 (4.31" bore X 4.25" stroke) by boring .060 over and stroking .25".

Secondly, any well built 540 with good heads should make quite a bit more than 650HP so your tranny may be in trouble. You may be under 650 if you use a very mild hydraulic roller but then why go for a 540 when a 496 will do 650 easily enough?

Either way it should be a fun car. I'm working on specing a Dart block solid roller 540 build for my '69 that should creep up on 800HP or so.

[socalfandabodys]

Thanks for the info. I wasnt sure if they made a stroker kit to go from a 454-540. I guess a 496 could be a possibility. I am really dead set on either using turbos or a pro charger. I can always take the trans back to Bow Tie overdrive nd have them beef it up for more H.P and T.Q. Thanks for the compliments.

[BADVELLE]

I was looking at the 496 stroker set up for my '70, but have not pulled the trigger yet. I have never been a fan of buying a built engine (I just like to do this myself), however, take a look over at Scott Schaffirof or Bill Mitchell, for the money, you can get alot of motor and the best thing is that you only have to drop it in the car. These come with dyno sheets and they will built to your spec, including turbo/blower motors.

[John McIntire]

The latest issue of Chevy High Performance has some info on some Big Blocks. In it, I think it was Steve from Westech said that with availability of all these rebuild kits, and their prices its not really feasable to build anything less than a 496. Since the kits are are pretty closely priced. I'd pick up that issue to get some more knowledge. They have a few interviews from various builders/suppliers on what their opinions are, such as world, GMPP, Shafiroff, and others.
You said that you would like to supercharge it or turbo it. I personally like the Procharger, and from what I hear, Frank from Prodigy Customs can hook you up with a great deal. Rumor has it that Banks is working on a TT kit for big blocks. You'll have to contact "slow4dr" and harass him on that, he works for Banks. I'd be very interested in that kit too.
Here's a question-you said you have a "moderately" built 396, why not just throw a Procharger on that? You can save some money for other things, suspension, rims tires, trans, rear, intercooler, whatever.
You will probably most definitely want to upgrade your trans, and rear, because big blocks make a tremendous amount of torque down low, and have been known to break a few things!! Just ask "dhardison"
Good Lock!

[EFI69Cam]

Well I am wanting to build a new BBC for the chevelle with my deployment money. My question is what should I go with. I was thinking getting a 454 block and stroking it to 540. I also wanted to either add turbos or a pro charger. What do you guys recommend going with. The car will not be driven much because of my job. I want to be able to have it idle and stay cool in traffic as well as perform good at the track and highway. Some current specs on the car are
Moderatly built 396 with only 6,000 miles pictured below
2004r Bowtie overdrive trans built to handle 650 hp
eaton posi with 3.73 gears
The car runs great right now. Never gets over 180 even sitting in 100 degree traffic for hours and runs high 12's in the quarter. I just want some more power. By the way I am entertaining offers on the 396. So what do you guys recommend I build engine wise for the chevelle? Thanks in advance for your recommendations.


Since you don't have a block, I'd go with a bowtie or dart 4.5" bore two piece block. The difference in cost between buying a 454 block and machine work for the 496 vs building a 540 on a new block is negligable.
The 496 is a great option if you already have a 454.

check out http://www.flatlanderracing.com/ for some excellent prices on rotating assemblies.

I just built a 540 for my Camaro with AFR 315 CNC heads. Even with a super weenie 240/248' @.050" HR cam this motor should make 650HP on regular pump gas (9.3 comp) without breaking a sweat.
I used the bowtie sportsman block it cost a couple hundred less than the dart or world, and the CNC machine work was dead on.

[gmorris]

I should clarify that you can build a 540 with the new gen VI block but it starts getting thin at 4.5 + .030 so you don't have too much left. If you are planning on doing forced induction you will likely appreciate the extra strength of an aftermarket block like a Dart.

If you are truely planning on blowing a 540 I hope you are either running some serious tire on the track only or are ready to do some major suspension work to have any chance of hooking that thing on the street:evil:

[BADVELLE]

You could also p/up the latest PHR, great build up/profile on the Shaver BBC of last years Engine Masters Challenge. They used a Merlin World Block, 696hp @ 6500 rpm/606tq @ 5800 rpm. It is based off the 427, here is the parts list:

Bore = 4.285
Stroke = 3.750
434 cid
10.5:1 comp ratio
Crane solid roller = 256/260 @.050, 110 lobe sep angle, installed at 106 though, .820/.870 lift
1.8:1 rockers
Total Seal rings
Mahle pistons - coated skirts
Quench clearance = .042"
Crank = Billet, Bryant piece
Rods = Eagle, H-beam, 6.800"
Main journal = standard
Rod journal = 2.100"
Heads = Brodix 300cc oval raised port, rolled-over valves (you can buy heads with a rolled-over angle, they did their own)
Intake = Brodix, ported
Carb = 4150, Carb Shop Holley
Ignition = MSD
Headers = Hooker, 2" primary

[EFI69Cam]

I should clarify that you can build a 540 with the new gen VI block but it starts getting thin at 4.5 + .030 so you don't have too much left. If you are planning on doing forced induction you will likely appreciate the extra strength of an aftermarket block like a Dart.

If you are truely planning on blowing a 540 I hope you are either running some serious tire on the track only or are ready to do some major suspension work to have any chance of hooking that thing on the street:evil:

Just to avoid confusion, the bowtie block and the gen 6 502 block are two very different castings. Mine came with a ultrasound sheet that showed enough material to go to 4.60" easily.

[Dan Sherwood]

I agree that if using fi, your 396 would be plenty to get you 800 hp, which would then have you needing to put some $ into the suspension, as mentioned to get the power to the pavement, whether, on the street or track.
I think you'll also find that 650 hp is the max your 200r4 will hold up too. Havng just purchased a 200r4 for my 406 sbc, running a 50 shot to get into the 600 hp range, bow tie tells me I am at the limit of it's level 3 200r4 right now, using the best of what they know/have.

[KAA]

.820/.870 lift
1.8:1 rockers
:jawdrop:

[shortrack]

why dont you buy a crate motor from Scott Shafiroff (sp) or whoever....