I talked with my machinist last week about how to proceed with my engine. Apparently he has someone that does the actual porting work on the heads while he makes the cuts. While he doesn't like big blocks, he thankfully likes the -781s I'll be using.

He wants me to get my heads flowed first before we decide on cutting for bigger valves or not. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing they're stock (2.06?) intakes and the likewise small exhausts, and I was thinking it'd be good to at least install 2.19/1.88 valves. He insists on getting them flowed first, which is good, but can anyone see a reason not to add the bigger valves? I know you have to unshroud chambers so the flow isn't impeded, so bigger isn't always better, but I dunno. I guess we'll find out when they get flowed.

Here's what I'm proposing for my combo, and what I sort of need help on. I'm basically undecided somewhat on pistons and cam, so I wanted to kind of present what I'm looking at for advice. That way, if I'm on the right track, good! If not, then at least I'm going to learn a bit more on how to get on the proper track, right?

454 bored over to 468 CID. 4-bolt main.
-781 heads with 2.19/1.88, bowl blend, throat cut in bowl area, rounding of short-turn radius, and 3-angle valve job.
Cast crank with ARP main bolts.
GM rods with ARP bolts.
Q-jet (800CFM) carb with Edelbrock Performer RPM intake (aluminum).

So far on that part, so good? Any unneccisary headwork you see? My machinist seemed to think everything proposed sounded pretty good, but still, we want to get the heads flowed first.

Now, the question. I need to run 93 octane easily. The only aluminum on the car will be intake, pistons, and probably radiator. I've tried and tried but I think I'm going to leave cam help to the experts, which I'll probably end up asking UDHarold, because I'm looking for a good solid cam. I know I probably need a DCR of about 8.0 or 8.25:1 to run on 93 octane, not taking quench into consideration. I'm thinking about decking. Isn't the optimal quench around .045? Or maybe that's with smallblocks, or maybe not with domed pistons. So, I have a DCR of ~8.2:1. I'm looking at SRP pistons online and it seems that the biggest 'small dome' I can get for my heads would bring me to about 10.5:1 based on 118cc heads (not including headwork or ccing to be certain, just based on what Mortec is listing -781 size as). Is 10.5: SCR/8.2:1 DCR good for compression ratio? I want a small, kind of round dome for good flame travel and such, right? Would bumping the static up a bit more be wanted, not noticeable power-wise and detonation-wise, or unwanted?

What kind of cam would I be looking at for my goals? I need 93 octane, and be able to run power brakes/steering. I use A/C on hot days and don't know if that matters for cam choice? I just don't want to click compressor on and my engine start screwing up on the highway or something.

As far as drive-train goes, I'm waiting for the Muncie 5-spd, which is based on the M22+OD, and will be running 4.10s in the back with posi.

I know this was a mouthful. Am I heading in the right direction on this? Or am I missing something that I need to fix, or something look screwy with the combo? Or am I trying to rush too fast, because I want to have everything decently planned so things go smoothly, or maybe I need to wait till a bit of machining gets done first?

Thanks everyone.. graemlins/waving.gif

I will tell you one thing you won't need 4.10s even with the OD or a close ratio trans. Unless you go absolutely crazy with the cam (I wouldn't with air)it will have such a broad torque band that you can run much less gear and a wider ratio trans.