Thread: 496 build tips

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Thanks a lot for the feedback guys. I would rate myself from 1-5 with 1 being total noob a 4. I have built a few SBC 350's a couple SBF's and an Olds 350. I do not plan on going FI unless I am sure using the Pro-Gram mains will make the block strong enough to handle that kind of power. If I do go FI, it will either be a pair of turbos or a centri blower like Procharger or Vortec. If I can get this car to run consistent 9.90's to 9.80's on pump gas n/a, then I won't even bother with FI. I realise what you guys are saying in that the block prolly wouldn't even need to be converted to 4 bolt, but I like peace of mind and that is priceless......lol. I won't be doing the conversion myself, the machine shop I choose to do my block prep work will be doing it for me. So with that said, are the Pro-Gram mains able to be used front to rear on a 2 bolt block? If so, the that sure sounds a lot cheaper than $2000+ for an aftermarket block.

Originally Posted by oldcutlass86

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys. I would rate myself from 1-5 with 1 being total noob a 4. I have built a few SBC 350's a couple SBF's and an Olds 350. I do not plan on going FI unless I am sure using the Pro-Gram mains will make the block strong enough to handle that kind of power. If I do go FI, it will either be a pair of turbos or a centri blower like Procharger or Vortec. If I can get this car to run consistent 9.90's to 9.80's on pump gas n/a, then I won't even bother with FI. I realise what you guys are saying in that the block prolly wouldn't even need to be converted to 4 bolt, but I like peace of mind and that is priceless......lol. I won't be doing the conversion myself, the machine shop I choose to do my block prep work will be doing it for me. So with that said, are the Pro-Gram mains able to be used front to rear on a 2 bolt block? If so, the that sure sounds a lot cheaper than $2000+ for an aftermarket block.

you did not see the photos of the two bolt main block that i put all 5 pro gram caps on ?the block can take alot of HP but you did not say how much HP you think you need to see to make it 9.90 car ? your thinking the caps are cheap but it is about a 450 of labor to put the caps on with out the price of the pro gram caps . so a 2700 dollar block start looking good but it will still needs some work to but your starting out with a better block were the bulk heads of a $2700 block is thicker .walls are thicker.decks are thicker .water jackets are open up for more cooling. better oiling ,the added valley boss for the head bolts .all this said could you build a GM iron block to take over 800+ hp ?yes but its a time money deal to your going to buy a new block spend $$ with all machine work and race prep the block . i fixed used blocks and sold many blocks i have see blocks that failed and were past fixing . from a crank breaking. pistons failing .valves busting .so there more to this then your block . at one time i have done every repair to a bbc block GM and others . dart .world. bow tie cnc bow tie .world pro blocks .i have done all the added race stuff to GM blocks . as for if a two bolt can be made in to a 4 bolt yes its the same block from GM just with two less holes in the main web and the caps. so yes a good set of caps could help but are $300to $700 alot of shops get $200 and up for a line bore to cut the metal out of the new caps as there a lot to cut out of the new caps. so this as well puts it past $1000 for the labor and all 5 caps . alot of shops will not work on a block with the cheap over sea s caps on them has they will not finsh nice when boring the 3 main caps see all the load of power as the cranks trys to pull down putting more load to center of the block .thats why you only see 3 caps for sale .you can added more but this is were some stop when putting caps on a two bolt block .the back caps is were alot of machine shops screw up.... alot .. there is the rear thrust to deal with as well this needs to be rigth or the crank will not have end play needed for the thrust so some oil get in on it .if the back cap is cocked the you have a big mess. you want all load running on the upper and lower thrust ...can not work if the cap is 100% FukUp thats why many just do 3 or 4 and not play with the back cap for the added time making it fit and the money just for a billet back cap is about $400