hi to all tech members.i`m in final stages of starting to put my 526 bbc together.one issue bothers me.i want max out the compression and quench.as of now the piston sits 0.032 in the hole.i plan decking the block to have zero deck height.i use brooks 65 alu rods 6.385 long.so,what`s the minimun quench i can use or in this case how thick should the head gasket be.is 0.045 enough?we are planning to rew the engine to 8500-8700 rpm.engine is basicly out dated tad engine only blower missing.it`s replaced by epd sheet metal intake and twin 1050`s.cam is wild,0.800 lift and decent sized heads,therefore the quite high rpm numbers.engine is going in to tube chassis -66 malibu.

Alum. rods .055 minimum. I had a set of C&As hit at that distance. If you keep the pistons as light as you can it will help but alum. rods stretch at that kind of RPM.

.055 - .065 is the range...I would shoot for the middle or so..

You might rethink that RPM with any Big Block that doesnt have the stroke of a Pro Stock. Most larger engines have a power peak of about 7200-7400 and are way past that by 8000. To push it near nine thousand requires Titanium Valves and very heavy valve springs. The .800 lift cam isn't the deciding factor in how tight to take it but how much duration and what the cam profile looks like. Sounds real risky to me.

hi.pistons are very light je alky blower units with 1.25 comp height.when the engine was dyno`ed with the blower they spun it ower 9000 rpm`s.it made 1400 hp.but now,without blower it needs more compression that`s why i want to max things out.thanks for your answers,i was aiming for too tight quench and i need to think the rpm`s over and adjust the gearing/tires section as i believe the engine makes good torque.