I am in the process of gathering components for a 396 buildup for my 69. I am planning on using a stock (or maybe .030 over) block, stock 6223 crankshaft. Heads, cam, valve gear, intake, carb and exhaust are open.

I am looking for suggestions on components that you all have used to build up a strong 396. I am hoping to get into the 400-450HP range. Plan is to run a Muncie 4 speed.

Main concerns are 1) reliablity/streetability (this will be a weekend/driver type car) 2)Want something that runs good on pump gas, but not against the occasional shot of 103+ 3) something fun at the track..capable of respectable 1/4 mile times with open exhaust. 4) Exhaust..looking at a mandrel bent system, maybe Flowmaster or the like..2.5" or 3"? 5) Qjunk vs. holley???

I know this is a lot to ask, but I was hoping there were some hard and fast rules to follow for building a strong big-block!

Thanks,

John

Click on the link below. The only thing not mentioned in the write-up is that I went with 2.19/1.88 Manley valves and a short-side runner port job on my 781 heads. Chassis dyno'd at 350HP to the rear wheels, which comes out to around 425-450 at the flywheel. Don't use the cam I went with, however. There are better grinds out there. The Ultradyne 280/288 hydraulic is the one I will be putting in as soon as I can get my 454 for my truck stuffed in.

http://www.chevelles.com/feature/february2003.html

Look at my set up.
Both set ups are fairly close.

www.bigblock67chevelle.com (http://www.bigblock67chevelle.com)

Right in there with the rest of you.

'69 Chevelle w/ '71 402 block +.030 - 408CI. GM 290 heads w/ 2.19's & 1.72's (heads already had exhaust seat inserts so couldn't go to 1.88's. Port match on intake and mild clean up in intake bowls, a lot of port work on the exhasut side. Perfomer 2-0 : ported to match the 290 oval ports - actually had to remove a lot of metal to get it to match, but glad we went through the effort, the bottum end is strong, but the midrange is incredible. Cam - reinstalled the Crane 286/296 that was in the car (226/236 @ .050). Hedman 1-3/4". 2-1/2" mandrel from Pypes w/ Dynomax Hemi Turbos. 400 Turbo w/ 3000 stall through a 3:73 12 bolt. Haven't had it to the track, but driving it around town, it runs night and day different from when I pulled it apart. I doubt though that my motor has over 400 HP, maybe 380 - 390, but more importantly it comes on real hard by 3000 which is why it has the correct S-O-P feel.

Mine is a 410 (.040 over 4.165 bore)
I use open chamber truck heads (# 136) they have hardened steel seats 2.19/1.72 valves with minimal cleanup in the bowl area.
10.2 SCR
RPM airgap 1" 4hole spacer
750 dp
Cam is a Comp street solid roller
273/285 adv. 236/248 @.050
LSA 113 ICL 108
You combo could run this cam with less LSA for the 4 speed. possibly 108.
Makes a nice street engine with smooth idle.
HP is around 470 -490

Once again the signature did not show up.
I run a 700r4 with 2400 stall converter
3.73 gears ,
26" drag radial
3880# w/driver
ET 11.92 @ 114.01mph
386 rear wheel Hp (last week)

John,
400-450hp is not hard to find with a streetable 396 motor. I am thinking oval ports with bigger vlvs and mild bowl work. A good mid range cam like the comp xe-274 cam or one of ud harolds grinds. At this level a 2.5 inch exhaust would work but a 3 inch x-pipe and 2.5 inch tailpipes would be better. A good dual plane ie edelbrock rpm/or stealth. A q-jet would work, alot of the NHRA stock guys go fast with them, but a holley is a no brainer. A 750 double-pumper would work great. This combination would have a decent lope, run hard and still be very responsive and drivable.

Thanks to all for the replys, this is gonna be FUN! A couple more questions..what kind of compression is everyone running, and are you having any detonation issues? I am thinking that 9.5:1 is about it without having to run an octane booster or something..i really just want to be able to run it on pump gas, butnot sure what I can get away with.

10.5:1 with 93 octane here. My DCR is 7.9

I used this combo in the past and my 68 ran 11.40's with a 4 speed stock supension with 10.5 slicks.
396-.60 over 10.5 compression
strip dominator with 850 dp
herbert b6 g roller sounds good idles good 7200 max
roller rockers
msd
3/8 rods with arp bolts
049 oval port heads 2.19 in 1.88 ex

this thing was a blast to drive never loaded up could run pump gas in it and when I raced it threw in some race gas. put a 250 shot on it and will really scream! I would run at least a 3" exhaust