I have a fair running 70-396 BB in my 72 SSthat I need to pull and go through with possible beaf up. I was considering pulling it and dropping a 454 but am wanting everyones imput first. This is a weekend driver, cruiser. It will never see any track but would like a few more horses to play with. What can be done to the 396 to get more HP and what HP is my limit for a good street build?

396 BBC are underrated, but they need to be built correctly. Think about it, everyone raves about 406 SBC but dogs the 396 and it has better heads stock. I would look at ~9.5:1, good iron heads and moderate cam with a quality dual plane intake. I plan something similar myself for a daily driver. 450HP is no problem if well thought out.

Im running right now a 40 over 396 with about 425HP at the crank.
It has 702 closed chamber heads with stock valves,Roller rockers,ti retainers, small dome pistons for about 10.5 compression. Voodoo 60204 cam,wiend stealth intake,800DP carb,MSD W/6A box. Runs very well. It ran a 12.9 @ 107 and Im sure with some traction tuning I could get it down to a 12.7:yes:
Next motor is going together soon and will be a 60 over 427 with about 525HP:thumbsup:

Joel....haven't we gone through this a few times already?

Kevin is right, 396 and 402 are under-rated.
And My preference is certainly a 396/402 vs a 406 any day of the week.

The 70 402 ROCKS! Comes with 10.25:1 list CR, closer to 10:1 actually. Add a good cam, a good intake, and go. If the components are too shot, might as well upgrade to 454 and make a mild tire-fryer, a bit more street-friendly they a pumped-up 402. But, I asked Kevin to use his car for a week to test its street manners....and for his credit card to fuel the beast. Never heard back from him.

George,
You are correct but in all due respect I did not know there was a limit to post questions. I posted this again because as you see I am still undecided on which way to go with my new motor. My origional post was because I have to pull my motor because of lower end problems. Since my car is a 72 witha 70 motor is is non-matching so I am looking for all the street build info I can get. My car will never see any strip it I just enjoy my SS driving it around for the hell of it. I really get the high when my 8 yr old son says daddy they are looking at our car, Chevelle Pride of Ownership!!!!
I appriecate your knowledge as well as everyone else and as of today I am still undecided so this post and others will follow. Again no dis-respect to you or others but I want to make the right decesion that I will be happy with. My WIFE is only going to tolerate one build
Thanks for you info and other replies I hope.:thumbsup:
Joel

Joel,since your not going to race it at the track and its a fun wk end kind of driver you only going to get into/run up throuth the gears once in Aa while i would opt to buitl the 396/402 you already have.

With good choice of cam and other well choosen componants you could easily build a very streetable 375-400hp/430-454lbs trq motor that will be plenty fun to drive with plenty of zip when you jump on it for your needs. But thats assuming your running gear like 308,331 or 342 but IMHO gear like 355 & up are too much gear for comfortable cruisng if your not running an o/d trans of some sort or are not into taking it to the track .

So BTW what is your cars general setup like trans/gear/carb/intake/exhanifolds or headers/and your possible cam choice if you build the 396/402 and what is your realistic expectations when you do get on it once in a while ?

Scott

If it was me I would go as big as you can. If you change your mind and want to go faster in the future then the 454 will be the best platform.
I like my 396 but Im building a 427 because bigger is always better. Do it right the first time and it sounds like you want the 454. Great TQ for the street.

Joel,

I was kinda funnin' with ya there.....shoulda put a WINK;) in my response.
I meant you no ill intent.
True, no limits to posts, or answers for that matter :yes::D
And ANY BBC gets more respect than the mild 350 in my 70 Elky. Right Kevin?

Some more ideas....
The 70 402 has pretty high compression already. Add a 60103 Voodoo and go. It will have good manners and run very well. I forget what intake and carb you have....but it will even work with a Q-Jet and iron intake or most of the street/strip intakes and carbs. The cam's duration is large enough that it should run on Midgrade fuel. 14 second car.

I mentioned selling the non-match to you 70 402. Did I ask you to donate freely to the George 1970 Elky "Get out of TCNW Last Place Fund?" :beers: Alas, I'm in WA and you are in BAMA.

Here is another idea.
Build a mild 454. Make it about 9:1 with a mild perf cam, run regular unleaded. It would make a perfect driver. 13 second car.

IF down the road things change and you wanna go fast...a mondo cam in a 454 will kick-butt and take names. Chris 'mr 4 speed' will tell ya, lots of 8.0:1 BBCs out there, moderate gears and healthy cam and it is 12 second quarter miles and still in street trim. 454 BBCs can run strong without high compression.

I often think about 'just' a 396 for my Elky. I'd have a BBC under the hood, I could proudly answer "Nice Elky! What's under the hood?" with my chest out, "396!" Instead, I have to mumble something about having a 350 in there and a 454 at the house......

A mild 396 would make (more) sense to me because I use the Elky regularly for hauling remodel supplies and errands than having a 454....maybe 12 mpg for the 396 vs 10 mpg for the 454. IF I was smart, I'd make a 396 but use good components, put in a nice street cam. I'd have a nice cruiser. Then come Test and Tune nights....roll out with a 150 horse shot o'Juice:yes:

build the 396

i would recommend this for a very nice street build.

750 cfm carb vacuum secondary
rpm intake
pretty much any oval port cast iron head, with a little port work.
10.2-10.5 to 1 compression
hydraulic cam 233/239 @ .050 with .550 lift on 111 lobe seperation
roller rockers
small dia headers, summit headers work fine
and run a 10" convertor in a automatic tranny.

this will provide good smoke shows (with the right tire of course)and will give that rolling 30 mph black marks several feet long.