[Littlegearhead]

Hey guys i am going to build a 396 soon and i want to get the most horsepower possible for as cheap as possible. What kind of horsepower would i get if i bored it .030, stock crank/pistons, comp magnum 280, with stock heads ported and polished, and just about everything else stock? Any suggestions for more performance? I don't really want to buy new heads because of the money though..

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Dan Orgill]

With the heads, are you looking at bigger valves with a quality valve job as well?

I assume this is an L34/35, so we are talking cast iron intake & q-jet, along with manifolds. I would think you can get around 375-400hp if the head work is well done.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

It really depends on THIS...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449081&highlight=

hope you build comes out great

 

[Dan Orgill]

It really depends on THIS...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449081&highlight=

hope you build comes out great

That thread was funny as hell! It's nice to read through one with no one arguing for a change.:yes:

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Yeah, I understand passion, but the arguing gets tedious, does it not?

 

[70-SS454]

Nos

 

[kettbo]

Nick,

Forget the big valve upgrade. Not needed in a 396 with a 280 Magnum cam. Find out where all the gearheads go for cylinder head work. Get a 3-angle Valve Job and bowl work. Consider some better flowing valves, consult your shop. Naturally new valve springs

You can find a decent Performer RPM for around $100 used
I had good luck with an older Edelbrock 396QJ intake
For this application, a Performer intake would work well too
Darn near any 750-sized carb will get the job done

Read the IGNITION 101 thread
With practice and traction, easy 13 second engine you have there
375-400 horse with 10:1 CR and everything dialed-in

 

[1966_L78]

Hey guys i am going to build a 396 soon and i want to get the most horsepower possible for as cheap as possible. What kind of horsepower would i get if i bored it .030, stock crank/pistons, comp magnum 280, with stock heads ported and polished, and just about everything else stock? Any suggestions for more performance? I don't really want to buy new heads because of the money though..

Thanks,
Nick

Nick,

I presume you already have a 396, or a line on one... But have you considered looking for a 454? It might cost you a few hundred to buy a core, but the build cost should be about the same, and you have the potential to make alot more power and torque than the little 396... You can also easily get a stroker crank kit (496, etc) for not too much more than getting your 396 stuff redone, etc...

IMO, unless you already have good heads, I'd look into aftermarket ones before I spent alot of money on bowl work, valves and springs, etc... And definitely before I spent money on the Port and Polish job... I think that money could be better used elsewhere in many cases...

 

[Jim Mac]

I posted a question about porting awhile ago on a street motor. Basically my question was if you had the motor put together and checkd the power level and all you did was had the same heads ported without changing anything else. Would you reallu feel the difference and if you did whats the cost per dollar spent. I never got a real answer.

 

[sschevellefan]

In a old bbc book I ad there was a dyno in the back of it using a 350hp 396 type engine. With a comp 280 magnum and a 3310 750 it made 411hp and 433 ftlb of torque. My buddy has pretty much the same set up in his 66 chevelle and it runs strong.

I wouldnt go to crazy on the heads, maybe a little bowl work and gasket match. Run a performer rpm if you got room for it and a 750cfm carb and a good ignition set up and it will be a fun street engine.

 

[sschevellefan]

I posted a question about porting awhile ago on a street motor. Basically my question was if you had the motor put together and checkd the power level and all you did was had the same heads ported without changing anything else. Would you reallu feel the difference and if you did whats the cost per dollar spent. I never got a real answer.

It would depend on who did the work, the amount of porting done and the engine combo used. Ive seen guys pick up almost a full second with just head work. then Ive seen guys pick up absolutely nothing but once they changed cams there was a noticeable change. Shop prices will vary but your looking at anywhere from $600-$1500 on just porting labor.

 

[Indiansprings]

Hey guys i am going to build a 396 soon and i want to get the most horsepower possible for as cheap as possible. What kind of horsepower would i get if i bored it .030, stock crank/pistons, comp magnum 280, with stock heads ported and polished, and just about everything else stock? Any suggestions for more performance? I don't really want to buy new heads because of the money though..

Thanks,
Nick

Right around 1 HP per cube if built properly.