Hey guys! My name is Russell, I was directed here by another member of the forum who says that you guys really know your stuff when it comes to engines smile.gif

What I want to build is a mild 355 that I can use for anything from burning my tires into nothingness, down to hauling a boxload of dirt and a 25 000 lb trailer / bobcat. But, the limiting factor here is that I want to run 87 octane, only having to boost up to 89 - 92 at differente elevations. (I'm at about 670 meters above sea level)

Alright here are my ideas so far:

- Edelbrock Vortec intake (not the RPM one, the power range is too high)
- 855 Vortec heads with 170cc chambers
- X4262H 4x4 Extreme comp cam for a smoother idle with lots of low end torque
- Stock crank and connecting rods
- Dished pistons to bring my CR down to about 9.1 - 9.2
- Chevelle or similar longtube headers with a modified transmission crossmember to keep my exhaust held fairly close to my frame so I don't scrape bottom on any speedbumps or something
- Dual exhaust with 2.5" pipes, an X-pipe crossover, and Aerochamber mufflers
- Stock carter Q-Jet for mileage on the primaries, and for the rather nice kick that the huge secondaries add

I'm aiming for about 300 - 345 HP, and around 350 - 400 ft lbs of torque with this combo.

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me smile.gif

ummmm i think you should look into a B/B if you want to haul 25,000!!!! In fact can the B/B idea and go diesel. But one things for sure.... a SBC aint gonna cut the **** there.

The stock 350 has been used to haul cattle trailers full of 2000 lb bulls smile.gif Weighs out to around 14 - 15k lbs, all off a hitch bumper, lol. My grandfather was a very very risky guy... I've since installed a proper hitch and braking equipment. I can haul the bobcat as she is now, just want a little more power behind it.

Sounds identical to my '78 trucks combo, other than the cam. I think it would work great for you.

I think for what you want, lowering the CR to 8.0 and using the X4250H would fit the bill. The DCR works out to 7:1 which should run on regular. I'd also go with 1.6:1 rockers since that will increase lift (producing more torque) and accelerate the valve quicker once it is off the seat. This would give the flat tappet cam about the same lift as the roller version of the same cam and the flat tappet X4262H cam. I wouldn't even think about HP, torque is all you should consider.