Howdy guys, THE DUDE was wondering if you could give him some input on building a new motor for the drag car. The car is a 71 chevelle that will be used strictly for drag racing, so streetability is not really a factor. I have bulit a few hot street motors, but I have never really put together a motor just built for the strip. I would really appreciate any input you guys have on building such a motor. What I currently have to work with is a standard bore 454 block and a nice set of #781 heads. I am intersted in knowing what type and compresion ratio of pistons would be good as well a cam and intake and carb. I have a set of Hooker super comp headers that I am planning to use. The car has a Turbo 400 tranny with a 12 bolt, 4.11 posi rear end. The car is fully caged with fiberglass front and rear bumbers and fiberglass hood. Before I bought the car, It was turning low 10's with a built 427, so I know the chasis is set up pretty well. Since I have never really built a drag only car, any ideas that you guys have would be a big help..

Build a 265 :D

Hey DUDE, Good call on that question. I'm in the same boat as you are right now. I have a 71 with a 454 thats in the works. Pretty much quessing on what to get for it. From what I have been told, go big on what you can get. Hopefully, it will atleast run in the spring. Good luck with your project.

DUDE: LOL... that is kinda funny on a dull new year's day... don't mind me... I'm silly like that.

Anyways... what are your plans for this car/motor? You gonna spray it or run forced induction at all? What does the velle weigh in at? What times would you like to see out of it? How much you want to spend? What compression do you you want to run? If it is drag only turn that compression up... your torque curve will thank you.

Biggest thing I have seen with oval ports is you gotta stick some bucks in them for valve work to get them to really produce and they are really tought to get past that 600 -650 hp zone with out major investment.

Really building a BBC for power doesn't take a rocket scienctist... a good set of heads, decent compression, a set of 2 or 2 1/8" headers, single plane intake of choice and the proper carb is all ya really need. Running NA you cam choice is very important IMO... where as if you spray or go forced induction you have a bit of room to play as long as your cam fits a basic profile and set of perameters.

I don't necessarily agree with Pigpwr1's commment "From what I have been told, go big on what you can get." Bigger is not necessarily better... especially if you have near a full weight chevelle and/or want to enjoy street driving. If you have a heavy car like a full chevelle I would say forget about worring about the HP numbers... think about torque... and not just peak torque, but your torque curve through out your power band. Do that and most non-race cars hp take car of themselves HP wise.

Pistons with a .270 dome for some decent compression with those 781's,and either a solid flat tappet or solid roller in the 240/250ish @ .050,convertor that matches the cam,etc. But building the motor is the easy part..getting it to hook is the most important..

Thanks for the replys guys... As far as plans for the car go, this is what I was thinking. I am not planning on spraying it or running any type of forced induction, this baby will be all motor. I was thinking somewhere around 10 or 10.5 to 1 on the compression. (is this to high with the iron heads?) Edelbrock victor single plan intake, and holly carb (any suggestions on the carb would help too!) What I am really wondering about is the cam. I think I have decided to go with a plan old solid lifter cam (not roller) I am just not sure what lift and duration to be looking for. Keep the ideas coming guys, they have been a big help.

high compression. Since its only gonna see the strip, i'd go 13-14:1 compression. Increases power at every RPM.

DUDE,

How light is your car, and how fast do you want to go? Your converter has to be picked for the cam, and with a 4.11, you won't end up with a real big cam. Over 20 years ago, I had some guys with a 3200 lb 402, 5000 SS and 5.13s, and my 296/304F8, 263/271 at .050, .630/.630 valve lift, and 108 LSA, running 10.60s, when they put the cam in, and corrected their fuel system. I don't know where they ended up.
Let us know......

UDHarold

Harold, I'm not positive about the weight of the car. The guy I got it from said that he thought it was about 3500lbs. It's a 71 chevelle with fiberglass hood, and bumpers. It has had the interior removed, and has one racing bucket. The fuel tank has also been removed and a fuel cell mounted in the trunk. I am guessing that 3500lbs is pretty close without driver. My goal with the car is to run in the ten's with no spray. I have not purchased a converter yet, so my options are open about getting one to match the cam.