BB 396 375Hp w/ mild cam

Diazee69camaro · Feb 16, 2004

Looking to rebuild and add hp. Wanting to spend about 2K or maybe a little more. I have been talking to friends and other motor heads and I am getting different. Should I go w/ alluminum heads? I know that they are a lot high! I am looking to do it right the first time!! I also want a dependable car. It has a TH350 trainny and currently has 4:11 gear in the rear end. Also, want to change out the gear so I can get some highway driving in. This is my toy not an everyday driver!!

jus4funn68 · Feb 16, 2004

Diazee does your engine have the original L-78 parts, as in cam, pistons, intake, etc? If so and you are going to replace some of these, Id be interested in purchasing what you have left over. Kevin

Greg O · Feb 16, 2004

I have no idea what big block stuff sells for, but I would say get you a good 454 short block and put your top end stuff on it. Especially if that is a numbers matching original motor. Put it in a nice safe place somwhere and beat on the 454.

pdq67 · Feb 16, 2004

Yes, an old say, '74/'75, 454 P/U core motor with stock flat-top pistons, a set of 97 to 100 cc's or so closed chambered heads and .022" steel shim headgaskets and just a 218 to 220 duration at .050 hy- cam like an Erson Hi-Flo AH and a set of say 3.23's, 3.31's or 3.42's will really increase the fun factor for a MILD street motor!! You should be right around 9 to 1 CR. set up this way which is great for a mild pump gas motor, imho..

I would even leave the heads alone and only do a good valve job on them unless you are bucks up and want to install the 2.19"/1.88" big valves in them..

Add a stock, Q-Jet system or even an RPM intake and a Holley, 3310-, 750cfm carb. and a set of 1.75" four tube, long headers will help too.

This way you will get the power that more cube's gives and not mess with your stock motor if you want to save it for later.

Please come back and tell us what you finally decide to do.

Good luck, pdq67

Diazee69camaro · Feb 16, 2004

Numbers certainly do not match. As far as I know Kevin, it has a mild aftermarket cam and an edlebrock intake with 750 holley carb. Everything else is stock. This is what the previous owner had told me two years ago when I bought it. The motor runs good, but since I am restoring it and going to take off the front clip and subframe for powder coating and paint I wanted to beef up the HP. I am about to pull off the top end to see what I really have. I am going to call around and see what a 454 short block cost just for kicks, but really would rather spend the $ on the block I allready have. It also has a B&M 2200 converter and a 10 bolt posi rear end.

Greg O · Feb 16, 2004

The problem with working with the block you already have is that it will always be a 396 block. I wouldn't spend any money on it. If you were going to bore it, new pistons, grind the crank, etc. it will cost you the same to do that with bigger block. There's no replacement for displacement.

You almost never see 396 build ups now unless they are numbers matching. If you wanted a 400 inch motor you could easily build a small block that big and save a few hundred pounds. Since you have the big block top end already, spend your money on building a bigger engine. It will cost very little more than the 396.

If there isn't a dime to spare in the budget then go ahead and build what you have, but I would sure work out the costs on paper first.

Good luck!

Diazee69camaro · Feb 18, 2004

The guys at the head shop are starting to talk me into buying 383 500HP STROKER! Intake to the pan for $3500 and it sure looks sweet on the stand? 454 is cheaper but.....Lets here the pros and cons. Should I ??????????

Silver69Camaro · Feb 18, 2004

If you have a big block in your car now, most people would say you're insane for replacing that BB with a 383. Why? It just makes no sense. I don't care if that small block as 427 cubes, the 454 will be awesome. I'm with others, keep the small 396 in storage and build a 454+ci motor.

BB 396 375Hp w/ mild cam

Diazee69camaro

jus4funn68

Greg O

pdq67

Diazee69camaro

Greg O

Diazee69camaro

Silver69Camaro

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