budget small block ideas

[pav8427]

any thoughts on a engine of this type(max torque)

400 stock block,stock crank,long rod,camel backs(set up for 10.2:1),early 60's cast iron holley intake,vette rams horns.

doug

[graycamaro]

Sounds good. I would change a few things though. The camel back heads probably need more work than there worth as they would need a hard seat conversion, guides, probably valves on top of all the normal stuff with a performance engine. converion to screw in studs and guide plates. Upgrades valve springs. At that point it would almost be cheaper to go with aftermarket heads.

The other thing is the Intake. I was not alive in the 60s so I am not familliar with the cast iron holley intakes but for what you can pick a used alluminum one up for I see no reason not to just buy an alluminum intake. As a matter of fact I have a Weiand Stealth Dual Plane intake that is almost brand new that I would sell for $70 plus shipping. It was on the engine that was in my camaro when I bought it from my uncle and he had just installed the engine and probably only had 500 miles on it and I might of put a 200 more on it before I pulled the engine. Only thing wrong with it is when he put it on he pulled out a couple threads but I would helicoil these holes and completely clean the Intake before selling it if your intrested.

Let me know James

[ProdigyCustoms]

It will run. Far as the Camel Humps go, we have built many a 355 with double humps that will run high 11s on motor and in the 10s on a hit, With a 240 or so, low 500 cam. A 400 would give you the torque you need. I see you say long rod, that is the most important thing with a 400, rod lentgh is horrible stock

[graycamaro]

I am not saying the camel hump heads wont make power I am saying that if you have to start out with old used up camel hump heads and pay to have all the machine work done guides, hard seats, screw in studs ,etc then you might be better off buying aftermarket heads.