I have a frame question to ask. My car (a true SS454) has had ladder bars or other traction device ripped away from the frame. The frame is not structuraly damaged, just the one spot is literally ripped out. This was all before I go the car, so I don't know the motor/trans combo or what it was putting out.

So, I am looking to upgrade the motor in my car to a 489 BBC with roughly 625hp and as much tourqe. Do I run the risk of bending the frame or the body with this much power? I know that many here have way more power then that, but I have never heard of anyone discussing at what point frame will bend or the body will crack.

If there are no exact numbers, do you think I will be OK with 625 horse?

Thanks a lot,
Chris

but I have never heard of anyone discussing at what point frame will bend or the body will crack.

If there are no exact numbers, do you think I will be OK with 625 horse?

it's more a ? when the power gets to the gound and how... auto will be more forgiving than a jerrco 4 speed sidestepping the clutch at 4 grand...

Rear window breakage is a warning sign. But slicks and good setup are needed to get there. With street tires you'll be fine. Just make sure to upgrade the drive shaft. Guys with near stock 502's are twisting stock shafts.

I don't plan too many hard launches off slicks, but I am sure a few will turn up, but not on a regular basis. Its mostly a street driven car, and when I do go fast its a roll into it, not hammer it from a stop. Street tires (M/T Drag Radials probably) and a beefed up M22. I would replace the drive shaft if I did it. So I should be alright, as long as I don't do too many hard launches, once I figure out how to hook it up.

Thanks for the advice. Now I just have to find the last few $$$ for the motor :)

Chris

The M22 will not hold up, I would have the frame reinforced where the brackets were ripped out, you don't need any weak spots with over 600hp.