hahaha man that would be a nice lawnmower
Printable View
hahaha man that would be a nice lawnmower
Have been reading this thread with interest.
Everything these guys are telling you is true.
800hp from a NA small block can be done. At a cost, and with significant compromises!
I'd definitely go the big block route. But even then they can cost big $$.
My 540 with a V7 blower, intercooler and EFI (now in a street driven all steel camaro) made 767ftlb and 852hp on the engine dyno. But it cost me more money than you can shake a hot stick at (as I could not build it myself because I am not a pro). And the engine is full of compromise. People say "for the money you spent on that, it should make 1500 hp". Yes, but for how long?? I want something reliable, and I GENUINELY want to drive it on the street. So everything is over-engineered and relatively un-stressed.
Now this big $$ big block of mine replaces my previous 350 which made a paltry approx 450hp but COULD NOT be driven anywhere near the street without attacting unwanted attention from cops and waking up the grumpy neighbours!!
I don't think anybody here is doubting that you are keen. This is a good trait. But these guys have years of experience, they are telling you something that you need to know. One day you might go on to build a 800hp NA small block, but if/when you do that, I bet you will admit that it was not a simple exercise and you were forced to compromise big time.
You're right, Mick. Anybody who thinks 800hp is doable in a small block on the street, has obviously never dealt with 400 hp small blocks on the street. Ford, chebbie, Mopar, it doesn't matter. When in doubt on engine questions, refer to rule #1: There's no replacement for displacement.
www.stevemorrisracingengines.com they will help you with all your horsepower needs small or big block!
I totaly agree with Dave Severson, You should go with a big block.
I grew up in Las Vegas thru the 60's and 70's used to go to the desert races/hill climes/ mud boggs all the time. Alot of my friends used to compete or take part in these races. It was always the big blocks that came out on top. It takes alot of torque to turn 44's over in mud or on a big hill. A small block has to rev way up to get high number HP. Lets face it the first time that the engine boggs or miss fires it's sunk, It won't have enough torque at low RPM's to turn those big tires over in the mud. Build a Big Block and set it up for low RPM's for pulling. That Caddy motor would be a good choice, since you all ready have it. Just the way I see it.
~ Vegas ~
steve morris builds good engines trust me i get beat by them alot
The guy wasn't taling store bought engines, he thinks he can do 800 horse in his garage with mail order parts. I build my own engines, with the aid of 2 very competent machinists. They go on the dyno for a run in when done, and on the chassis dyno for final tuning when they're in the car. None of it is cheap. Sometimes I would be better off with a store bought engine.
Autocity I have Steve Morris 406 engine in my street/strip pickup I wont do my own again they already have proven combos i never made such good power!
now after reading all this , why dont people if they are building engines in their garage aim for 1 HP per cubic inch ? With good building and machineing practices, that is obtainable wont cost a fortune and you will have a heap of fun doing the buildup. It wont cost the earth to run, One thing I have noticed reading these threads, to make this high horsepower you will be using more fuel, because to get the high HP numbers you have to get the motor to burn more fuel and air by either high revs and or high displacement. So once you have spent the megabucks building these motors you will probably spend megabucks on your fuel bill because there is no such thing as free horsepower. Also is how long do you figure the engines lifetime is going to be 5 minutes or 5 years, it's your choice.:p
I will consider all of this when I deside what to do. Thankx a bunch. And on the lawnmower, I know some guys that are building a cubcadet with a blown 400 small block chevy. I think they said they were puting hydrostatic drive on it I realy wouldnt know any other way.
you can get a a decent 500/550 hp out of a pump gas sbc engine without going broke,BUT
it is still gonna cost you a good penny,go
with a 400 over 30 more torque,,here is my 406..went 5.28s last year on a plate and fogger,is for sale in racing junk,lot of good parts but a roller now with tranny.
[PHP]