daily driver engine build up challange

[Johnny Blaze]

Heres a challenge for you guys.

I am going to start collecting parts for the engine build for my daily driver, and I would like your suggestions!

Daily driver is a 1969 C10 2wd truck. Currently has a 250 six 3 on the tree. Getting 13 mpg.

This is my daily driver, and someday will tow a race car on a trailer.

Priorities.
1. gas milage
2. towing ability
3. cost of build


I will be swaping to a th350 with the swap. rear is 3.08 gears.

I have a fresh .040" over 400 small block that I would like to use as the basis of the build. Just the bare block, no other parts so far.

I will likely stick to a carb, due to cost, as it would take a while for efi to really pay for itself.

So what would you build?

[Lowend]

What's the budget?

[86Cutlass383SR]

Myself I'd go with either a Scat or Eagle cast steel crank, Scat ot Eagle rods, KB or Speed Pro hypereutectic pistons. Go for 9.5 - 10 in the compression range. With it being a 400 ( actually 408.5)engine I'd go with about a 212*/218* or 218*/224* cam on about a 112* - 114* hydraulic cam, preferably hyd roller. If you needed new heads I'd go with a set of Vortec heads and an Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM intake for the Vortec heads. A Carter AFB/Edelbrock carb or even a Quadrajet carb along with a set of 1 5/8" headers.

I think this would be a fairly decent engine for both towing and daily use.

[Johnny Blaze]

Thats about rwhat I was thinking.

I haven't really set a budget, becuase I figure I'd collect parts over a while as the 6 is still running like a champ.

[68Formula]

Myself I'd go with either a Scat or Eagle cast steel crank, Scat ot Eagle rods, KB or Speed Pro hypereutectic pistons. Go for 9.5 - 10 in the compression range. With it being a 400 ( actually 408.5)engine I'd go with about a 212*/218* or 218*/224* cam on about a 112* - 114* hydraulic cam, preferably hyd roller. If you needed new heads I'd go with a set of Vortec heads and an Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM intake for the Vortec heads. A Carter AFB/Edelbrock carb or even a Quadrajet carb along with a set of 1 5/8" headers.

I think this would be a fairly decent engine for both towing and daily use.

I'd second this, but an Edelbrock AirGap manifold and 1 3/4" full length headers. Also use a x-crossover to the exhaust. Run 3" to the mufflers and 2.5" out. Tough truck turbos would have a nice sound without being punishingly loud.

If you want aluminum heads, add about a 1/2 point of compression and 180cc Dart Platinums.

Also use an HEI, plugs gapped to .045" with about 16° initial and 32° (w/o vacuum) by 2800-3000rpm. Use vacuum advance hooked to manifold vacuum, adding 12-14° advance. Should improve the gas mileage by allowing the throttle blades to be closed off more.

Set the idle mixture looking for the highest rpm during adjustment. You want the primary cruise settings as lean as possible without causing a skip, and enrichen the transition and secondary settings to compensate. When doing this be sure to enrich the choke circuit for easier starts as well.

[smhigh]

I used a Powerhouse kit for my 383. I believe it has most of the parts that others have suggested.

https://shop.enginekits.com/osb/showitem.cfm?Category=146

[nickpro_c10]

You know my original set up was the Dart 180cc heads with the stock GM cam, Accel Dist and Edelbrock 650 carb. But but issues with all three esp the 4150carb.

Heres my current setup:

Holley 750 Carb
Edelbrock 170cc heads
Edelbrock RPM "Air Gap" Intake
Edelbrock 7102 CAM (234int/244exh & .488/.510lift)
410hp/408ft TOP END PKG from Summit

Mallory Dist.
Summit Ign
Flowtech long tube headers (sound good but look like s***)
TCI Street Fighter TH350
B&M Ratchet Action shifter
3.55 Rear end

The top end package, carb, dist&ign ran me about 3K installed... I have about 800miles on it and ZERO complaints!

Im actually selling the truck if your intrested 5k OBO

[nickpro_c10]

Almost forgot- I run a 2500 stall on the TH350

[alnoe]

You might want to look at these:

http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=top+end+kit&N=400098+4294908216+115+4294925080&Ntk=KeywordSearch

Trick Flow offers several top end kits, that depending on what power level and RMP range, would work well for what you are doing.

Keep the cam very small in order to make as much torque as possible.

Thanks
Al

[justasquid]

Dont forget to start saving for a Brake and Suspension upgrade. Those items are often overlooked as tow vehicles are usually made more powerful to get the load moving. But more importantly, ( at least in my opinion), is getting the truck and its load slowed down. You want the suspension to handle the load and keep the truck level, ( nothing worse than a truck rocking back and forth from worn out or soft suspension), and upgrade the brakes enough to stop the load safely.

Since the 6 cylinder is still running good, thats where I would start the project, then go for more power once the truck can handle the trailer safely. I would definately build for low end torque and pay little attention to max hp figures. A nice linear torque curve low in the rpm range is where its at for towing.

[Lowend]

Being that you already have the 400 block, and are looking for a stump-puller I'd do something like this
I'm gonna be a little lazy and just give you the fun bits

Scat 3.875" crank with 6" rods. This on the 400 bore will bring displacement to ~415 cid.
You'll need to do some piston math to get the compression ~10-1.
I would center the plan around the Edelbrock E-Tec 200 heads. For a street head, they are very hard to beat. Very efficient design and support stupid amounts of power.
A Hyd roller cam is in order for sure - something in the 225/235@050 range with a 112 Lobe Separation. Don't be concerned with the lift. Get the durations right and the lift will follow. For the record I think the Crower is doing the best Hyd Roller grinds right now.

Best carb out there for gas mileage is a properly tuned Quadrajet. Yep, believe it or not the stock GM 4bbl is a pretty solid design. Have it tuned on a dyno and it will make very good, and very dependable horsepower.