I currently have a '68 camaro with a 396 bored .030, slight Lunati cam, hedman headers, 750 holley and an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold. It serves as a daily driver, but I would like it to have a little more kick-in-the-pants than it does. I plan on having the engine out soon, and am trying to enlist suggestions that would give me very reliable, streetable power while at the same time suitable for some weekend racing. I am a high school student, so aluminum heads are out of the question ( I currently have open chamber iron GM heads on it) but machine work, porting etc. are within range. Got a power combination or parts suggestions? I would be more than happy to hear from you! I would definitely like to raise compression (open heads + stock pistons = poop compression) but still maintain streetability. Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

penguinjohn
penguinjohn@hotmail.com

I myself happen to like Nitrous Oxide. Used with the proper care and caution, I have had No problems with it. I know this statement will open up a can of worms. I ran the system on a 350 in the past. I plan on running it on my 427 Vette engine in my '68 SS. I can build a mild engine that will be capable of burning 87 octane (when off the NOS), run 92 for the squeeze, and gear it high in the rear axle. By gearing it higher I will get better mileage and be able to hook up the massive amounts of torque the NOS makes, alot easier than if it had lower gearing. I feel a person hasn't lived until they experience Nitrous for themselves. If anyone has ever driven a Turbo anything vehicle, they can relate. Nitrous will allow a vehicle to pull maximum rpm's in high gear!! Depending on where you're at when doing this, can be alot of fun. Oh, I forgot to mention that I live in Nevada where we have the Open Road Races twice a year. I would recommend buying a couple of good books on Nitrous before running out and buying a kit and throwing it on. Have fun and be safe, Rick
'68 Camaro SS 427
'66 Yenko Stinger #YS-100

I agree with Rick that nitrous can work very well when in the proper hands. But, unfortunately, it's like a drug. Used too much and it can cause lots of damage. Now, to the nuts & bolts. For a daily driver, I wouldn't go much higher than mid 9's for compression. GM's MkIV 454's ran 8.7:1 for compression and produced 425hp. You're on the right track with port & polish. Only don't let just anyone with a dremel at them heads. Take them to reputable shop. An MSD ignition is a good choice with the 6AL box. Do you have the spec card for the cam? You'll want to degree that in, and as always, you'll want everything balanced. You didn't mention anything about rear gearing. Anything from 3.73's to 4.11's are good all around gearing. Good Luck!

Yenko and Cardude,

Thanks for the imput guys. I had considered nitrous - and still am, but I would rather build a sturdy street motor and complement it later with a nitrous system than grenade my stocker with too big a shot. Yenko, what are the specs on the 427 that you mentioned? Also, what size shot are you guys running/sugggesting? I would much rather run 100-125 shot on a mechanically sound rebuild than rig up huge jets to an otherwise lame motor (396/350 isn't that lame, but it could certainly be better). The engine is currently backed by a TH400 with a 12 bolt 308:1 rear. I would like to make 400+ hp before nitrous. Also, how far could I deck the block / mill the heads to raise compression? I imagine that it is cheaper than new pistons. Thanks.

peguinjohn

I have an NOS Cheater kit that is capable of up to 250hp. When running it on my 350, I ran the 125hp. jets. I was running the cast Chevy pistons. This is as much as you want to use on cast pistons. I agree with you on running a little rather than alot. I have alot of parts for my 427, but still have to get a few more, and build it. All of the machine work is complete. The block is from an original '69 427/400hp Corvette. This was a tri-power engine. (I don't have the tri-power). It still has the Vette code and serial # on the pad on pass. side. The block is a 2 bolt main. It is bored .030 over. I have TRW Forged pistons. They have the smaller domes. When used with my #049 heads, they are supposed to come out with a comp. ratio around 9.2-9.4:1. The 049 heads are a '73 454 casting that are said to be THE casting to start with for a good street head for up to 600hp. They have been cc'd and flowed. All the valves are numbered to each chamber. All the chambers have been smoothed and equalized. They have bronze guides, pc seals and Manley 2.19 intakes and 1.88 exhaust valves. I have read where these mods (bowl work around valves+ bigger valves) are worth 50-75hp. over a stock set of heads. I have a Manley pushrods and guideplates. Cloyes true roller timing chain and Milodon low profile oilpan/diamond stripper windage tray and pickup tube. I'm going with a very mild camshaft (probably Comp. Cams), as I'm going to be running a '90 Mustang GT 8.8 rearend with 2.73 gears. This will be behind a Nodular case BW Super T10 with a 2.88 first gear ratio. Of course, a steel flywheel and scattershield also. The key to having (for street)something that will nail you to the seat is: Build for Torque in the rpm's that you plan on driving in at most of the time. I should easily make 400hp. and close to 500ft.lbs. Torque, before any Nitrous. I'm not sure on how much you can mill/deck, as you need to know where you're at to start with. You would want to cc the engine before you rebuild and figure out what the compression ratio is at first. Rick

I had a .060 over 396 back in high school in a 78 camero. The first thing I did was swap out the open chambered heads for closed, as this was the cheapest way for me to raise the compression. I went with a crane 284/294 567/589 solid with decent springs. I had a 750 dbl holley and an open plane manifold. And with a 3.90:1 gear and a turbo 400, the car ran quite well. It did good up to 7200 rpm. (I even put 2 car links on the most feared 427 gto in the area! Yes.)

Hello I have a LS7 motor 12.5 to 1
333 duration cam
And i have driven it on the street quite often BUT you really cant get on it enless you have trick gas. This set up is in my tubbed 68 camaro ss and it feels great.
I agree with everyone here except when it comes to compression you can get away with 10 to 1's with no problems at all and remember more compression makes more power
dont go withany more lift than .600 for the street and use good springs nomatter what.
I would liven up the car with some 3.73 or 4.11 gears though it will give you that seat of the pants felling.
I run 4:30 gears with my 31x18.5 mickeys so i hope i gave you something to think about and hopefully i helped.
See ya racing later

U might check around and see if you can get it stroked with a 454 crank. With it already bored .30 u would end up with around 427 cubes. I personaly like the World Products Merlin heads. If you got it stroked and put Merlin heads on it i dont think you would have much problem runing over 500 hp.

here is a link to the chevelle board, it has a bunch of BB build ups and the results
http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/bbcombo/ugb.cgi

No "e" in Camaro!

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69 SS396 Clone, B&M TH400, 12 Bolt Posi, Blue w/White Z28 Stripes
Badboatdude@CS.com