new to sbc

hey all, im a car enthusiast but mostly I love engines. Im only 18 and although ive had experience with turbocharged 4-cylinders I have never been able to mess with V8s or any pushrod engines really.

currently I have a fiero that I swapped in a 3.4DOHC from a lumina, I love the high revs but I want more power. I was going to just turbocharge it but now I think I would like to stuff a SBC into it. So I need to learn all I can about SBCs and figure out the best setup for my use. Are there any really good books that focus on SBCs and are for people with moderate to advanced engine knowledge.

What would be a good base setup? Im not too worried about down low torque since its a light car and im going to have a lot with a V8 no matter what, id like to reliably rev to 6,500-7,000(dont know how reasonable this is) and make around 450-500hp, no N2O, no forced induction. Something low budget. A high end screamer

thx

You can find 4-bolt mains 350 blocks around everywhere. They are falling out of trees. If you were to get something like that, I doubt that you would have to do much extensive work to it past bolt-ons to get the type of performance you're probably looking for in a car of that weight. I am not the most experienced person here by one heck of a long shot, but I'd say the right head, cam, and intake/carburetor package would give you plenty of wallop to propel a car of those dimensions.

A popular choice seems to be the Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum cylinder head. I've heard great things about them, and was going for a pair myself when I found myself a pair of brandy-new Dart Iron Eagles for the right price.

I know that a few people did LS1 swaps into those cars with insane results.

It's cool that you're getting into V8s. I'm only 20, been into them for a few years now, and I love my old-ass technology to death:)
As far as the engine tech aspect of this project, you've come to the right place. I've yet to have a question left unanswered. Half these people have built more engines than I've had hot meals.

Good luck to you.
-Rob

.......Woooo, 'low budget' & 'high end screamer' is a tough one. They don't usually go in the same sentence... High RPM's = Forged, Expensive parts.... Although I'm by no means the most qualified person here to give you a combo, that I do know.... By the way, what is your budget??? Bill

I was thinking of going fuel injection cause I have no experience with carbs. My budget is probably $3000 max. I just want to be able to rev to 7grand and set the engine up for midrange and top-end power. I didnt think it would be hard to get 450-500hp so I figured I could do it in that price range

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Originally Posted by ThirtyTwo

I was thinking of going fuel injection cause I have no experience with carbs. My budget is probably $3000 max. I just want to be able to rev to 7grand and set the engine up for midrange and top-end power. I didnt think it would be hard to get 450-500hp so I figured I could do it in that price range

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:HMMM:
Why do you want to rev the engine so high ?

The best part of any V8 is that they produce plenty of torque, especially in the mid range, where a lot of experienced street V8 people set them up. Generally speaking the longer the stroke on a V8 the higher the torque and the lower the revs, like say a 383 = 4.00 bore x 3.75 stroke. Now we go to the other end of the line a 302 = 4.00 bore x 3.00 stroke. The 302 liked to rev 7500 rpm for a factory engine. 3rd engine a 350 = 4.00 bore x 3.48 stroke. The 350 generally reved out to just on 6000 rpm factory.

Notice that all these displacement engines shared a common bore 4.00 inches only the stroke changed. This information goes to 1st generation SBC engines from 1962 327 4 inch bore to 1986 350 4 inch bore with the 2 peice rear main oil seal blocks.

Next most important thing in your motor is the camshaft, this one thing will dictate which cylinder heads and pistons you use.

I would suggest that this being your 1st V8 engine that you go with a 350 as mentioned they are plentifull, also they are easy to build. and they produce power. I also strongly suggest because of your budget that that you stick to around 350 HP which is an easy target to shoot for if done right. And aim for midrange torque. Say a rev range of 2000 to 4800 Rpm. By revs, what I think you mean is that you want a fast respondsive engine with plenty of "snap" So a mechanical solid lifter camshaft will achieve this.

There are plenty of people on here that run and build V8' and the ways and sizes are as varied and different as guys spinning wrenches.

:) Oh and welcome aboard.

a good motor that a lot of people forget about is the old 283 corvette motors... they're a very good high RPM motor with a short stroke.... it'll kind of remind you of the 4cyls you're used to but instead be a v8.... they're a good quick motor and lighter weight than a 350..... the availability on them is a little less though so it would be something you'll have to do some looking for..... i've had a coupla 283s and i loved them.... they're great for road racing and the such.... i used to dump mine at 6000rpms and just launch in my little nova....

nah 283 is too small, I think im kinda leaning toward big displacement and not caring as much about redline anymore. Ive always wanted a muscle car, what would be better for a light car and midrange to top end power a 383 stroker or a small block 400?

My dad always talks about his old car with a HO small block 400 and he said it was wicked fast, so ive always wanted that engine. What should I look for as far as a block or complete engine? could I build it to run up to say 6500rpm without spending a load of money? Is there a good aftermarket for these engines, I dont know if they are based on a 350 block or not

also I always see engines out of trucks, are these different engines. Can I use an engine out of truck if I build it up with different parts?

Buddy, building the engine for this car is the easy part, getting it mated to a transmisison and the axle of the Fiero is the part you should be worrying about first, then find an engine that plays nice with your tranny and axle choices and get to work!

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Originally Posted by nfswift

Buddy, building the engine for this car is the easy part, getting it mated to a transmisison and the axle of the Fiero is the part you should be worrying about first, then find an engine that plays nice with your tranny and axle choices and get to work!

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I already have an adapter plate and kit from v8 archie. I know of people who have put 383 strokers in fieros, im not worried about that at all. I just gotta build the tranny up a little bit, supposed to handle 400+hp stock

Good, you're already one step ahead of me then =P

Which tranny are you refering to though?

People are absolutely DESTROYING 1st and 2nd gears with built 350s in Fieros with stock trannys, and some with Getrag 5spds, pretty much you gotta do something drastic, or your trans-axle has to be lady-driven...

I hear the 4sp muncie is slightly stronger than the getrag so thats what im going to run. I think people start grenading stock trannies at like 500hp

Hmm, yea, the auto is supposed to have more bojangles in it, but 500hp on stock trans-axle? Not a chance, if you go north of 250-275 ft-lbs of torque and bag on the stock tranny too much you can bet on de-toothing your gears in an awful hurry.

That trans-axle is built to withstand a 2.8L V-6 135HP Iron duke, not the sturdy supercharged L67, and NOT a torque-happy 5.7L V-8, I think the LQ1 twin-dual cam you already have is about as powerful as you can get while being able to COMPLETELY bag on car with a stock trans. You know, hard launches, clutch drops, violent shifting, drag-strip stuff.

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Originally Posted by nfswift

Hmm, yea, the auto is supposed to have more bojangles in it, but 500hp on stock trans-axle? Not a chance, if you go north of 250-275 ft-lbs of torque and bag on the stock tranny too much you can bet on de-toothing your gears in an awful hurry.

That trans-axle is built to withstand a 2.8L V-6 135HP Iron duke, not the sturdy supercharged L67, and NOT a torque-happy 5.7L V-8, I think the LQ1 twin-dual cam you already have is about as powerful as you can get while being able to COMPLETELY bag on car with a stock trans. You know, hard launches, clutch drops, violent shifting, drag-strip stuff.

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actually its the other way around, the TH125c auto 3speed is a piece o crap. Thats what I have now, and my LQ1 is border line blowing it apart. The 4-speed muncie and 5sp getrag have been proven to handle 400hp+. The iron duke is actually the 2.5 4cylinder engine and came with an isuzu 5sp that would prolly blow apart with a V8 but is still stronger than the stock auto

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Originally Posted by ThirtyTwo

actually its the other way around, the TH125c auto 3speed is a piece o crap. Thats what I have now, and my LQ1 is border line blowing it apart. The 4-speed muncie and 5sp getrag have been proven to handle 400hp+. The iron duke is actually the 2.5 4cylinder engine and came with an isuzu 5sp that would prolly blow apart with a V8 but is still stronger than the stock auto

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Gah, I was throwing the slang around, you know what I mean, the 2.8L V-6 that came stock in Fieros, and I WAS refering to the Muncie, the 3 speed auto should never be mentioned in the same sentance as Fiero...

I'm not surprised the LQ1 is giving you grief with that ugly tranny between it and the wheels =\ And the Muncie/Getrag CAN be driven with powerful engines, but have also been proven to make like Hiroshima after 6-10 clutch drops, even granny driving it you replace them every 15-20k. If you're honestly shooting for a 400hp performance build, look elsewhere, stocks are NOT suitable for this kinda application, trust me.

thats why i suggested a 283... they're easier on the tranny because they aren't as torquey of an engine.... and make the main amount of power at higher RPMs so you wont load up the tranny as much... i've seen a lotta 350 fieros and everyones always complaining about the tranny being destroyed frequently

Well, my idea was the 302, but that's a really effing complicated mess.