[wills65]

Ive been kicking around the idea of doing a new motor for my car and giving my 406sbc to my Dad for his '70 Chevelle. Problem is, I dont really know what these things cost. I have an idea of what I want, just dont know how much I need to have put away for something like this. I dont want to feel stupid if I ask someone to build me something and they tell me its going to cost double what I thought it would. I have a pretty good idea of what I want, if that helps. I want something like what Jim built for that Corvette. A streetable and reliable 540+ short deck motor that makes just at, or a little north of 800hp. Its simple I guess for someone that knows what they are doing. Ive seen some of the motors you guys build and to say that they are impressive would be a gross understatement. I wouldnt want to build this thing myself, Im just not knowledgable enough inside a motor. Maybe someone who does this can give me a little insight as to what Im looking at for a build like this. Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[Wolfplace]

Ive been kicking around the idea of doing a new motor for my car and giving my 406sbc to my Dad for his '70 Chevelle. Problem is, I dont really know what these things cost. I have an idea of what I want, just dont know how much I need to have put away for something like this. I dont want to feel stupid if I ask someone to build me something and they tell me its going to cost double what I thought it would. I have a pretty good idea of what I want, if that helps. I want something like what Jim built for that Corvette. A streetable and reliable 540+ short deck motor that makes just at, or a little north of 800hp. Its simple I guess for someone that knows what they are doing. Ive seen some of the motors you guys build and to say that they are impressive would be a gross understatement. I wouldnt want to build this thing myself, Im just not knowledgable enough inside a motor. Maybe someone who does this can give me a little insight as to what Im looking at for a build like this. Thanks for all your help guys.

=
If you email or PM me what you have in mind I will be glad to give you some options
Please give me some time though as I sometimes get about 50 emails & PM's a day so it can be hard to keep up,,,

 

[aukai]

800 hp from a 540 is getting upwards of high end as far as cam, heads, valve train, and induction. There are so many variables on bottom end pieces also. I will only generalize you need to speak to a builder that has a good reputation. someone that has built a few and can guide you to what level of quality will handle your goals. It should be way less than 20k but could get up there depending on pieces chosen. Mike is my chosen builder he will work with you for everything you need. I will soon have a 555 from him. If he stops answering E-mails and PMs

 

[Harold Sutton]

I don't think you're going to get 800 h.p., that will live on the street, unless you supercharge it. If 750 h.p. will do you may get that for around 13-15K and be able to drive it some. It costs quite a bit to drive a 8-10 mpg vehicle also, plan accordingly.

 

[wills65]

Ill try to make it short and sweet for you Mike (aukai) so he can get back on your motor lol. I read your threads about your 555 and it sounds like its going to be a real monster. Its kind of what Im wanting, but with a little less compression ~11.0:1 unlike your 11.5:1. Im a little more liberal as to what you would consider a street car than most people. I dont mind revving it and it doesnt get driven much further than a 25-30 mile run to a car show maybe once a month. Its pretty much a weekend car. Plans call for a Rossler TH400, Fab9, a 3.5" driveshaft from Dennys and an 8pt deal inside with swingouts. I plan to have Dan Neumann do a minitub for me so I can put some 315 drag radials under it and a full suspension setup from Wolfe Racecraft with their double link anit roll bar. Im looking at spending a pretty hefty amount of money on the car this coming year and dont want to skimp on anything.

PM coming your way Mike Wolfplace

 

[jthomp1256]

just to give you an idea,my 540 made 894 at 13.1 at 7300,and on nos it made 1150 and it was one bad street car, i had 10,000 grand in parts and machine shop alone,and i did all the assembly ,I drove mine on street some and replaced valve springs once a year,soooo, think less comp ,less cam build 540 and have fun with it,, Jeff

 

[wills65]

I have seen the build quality first hand from these guys on a friends 383 they built, and they have a 700hp hydro roller 540 for $8500 after the Compstar crank and rod upgrade. http://nyesautomotive.net/540__700hp.html

Then Tracy at Sunset has a 750hp hydro roller 565 for $14k
http://www.sunsetracecraft.com/

Some of you guys are saying upwards of $15k.....see how this car get confusing.

 

[brngrhd]

IMHO if your going to to it for a street car where rules are not an issue build big you have to buy it all why not build a 582? it will make more power for teh same money crank rods and pistons are all going to cost the same....

 

[wills65]

A 582 is fine if I never wanted to go into the motor again. If I build that big, there is no room for mistakes or mishaps in the future. One internal break and a scored cylinder wall turns that big expensive Big M block into a boat anchor...

 

[wills65]

I don't think you're going to get 800 h.p., that will live on the street, unless you supercharge it. If 750 h.p. will do you may get that for around 13-15K and be able to drive it some. It costs quite a bit to drive a 8-10 mpg vehicle also, plan accordingly.

Its going to be a weekend brawler so mileage and cost of operation is not real high on my list of important things to consider. Yearly valvespring changes are not however, something that Im wanting to do. Neither are yearly roller lifter rebuilds. I could live with doing it every two or three years, but not every year.

I dont see why something like what Jim built for that Corvette (in solid roller form) wouldnt be something that could be street driven on a weekend basis. IIRC there wasnt anything out of the ordinary, so to speak about that build. I think everything he used to put that one together was pretty much off the shelf type stuff. could be wrong though.

 

[brngrhd]

if you want something that will make big power last a long time and drive nice build a power adder motor.... a nice 540 and procharge it..... small ish cam no need for springs of lifters every year kind of thing...

 

[wills65]

True, but if I were going to build a power adder motor, I would build a 400ci turbo motor and run E85....406ci Dart blocked motor, blowthrough, and an 88mm turbo would make well over 800hp at the wheels and would be much easier on parts. I want to explore the options of a serious street NA BBC first before I delve into the world of boost.

 

[BillsCamino]

I put many, many street miles on my sr 540... gross lift over .800".

 

[aukai]

Well stay tuned. Mike is getting tired of looking at my project he wants it out of there dyno should be soon....You sound like me "Bad manners will be tolerated" That's how this project started

 

[JOHN WILSON]

Don't overlook deals on newly assembled or "near finished" projects for sale. I bought my 548 for ~$8k. It was newly built/freshened/dyno'd then wrapped up for a couple years. The owner ended up needing to sell it before he could use it. I bought it, tore it down to verify parts and clearances and decided to make some changes. After selling off certain parts I didn't like or want (cam, rockers, stud girdle, carb, pushrods, lifters,timing chain set & cover) and replacing them with better parts, I ended up with ~$9k in the motor from carb to pan, balancer to flexplate with American rotating assembly and made a freckle over 800hp and gets driven often.

 

[wills65]

Well stay tuned. Mike is getting tired of looking at my project he wants it out of there dyno should be soon....You sound like me "Bad manners will be tolerated" That's how this project started

"Bad manners will be tolerated" indeed. The more research I do about these big inch motors, the more I realize how much easier it is to make much more power with a power adder. I still want to know what kind of money these things cost, but it looks like its easier to make the same power with a less cubes and less planning and a turbo or Procharger.

 

[bigtiny454]

Will, have you checked out scott shaffiroff? Less than 11k for a 700hp 540. Just add carb and ignition. Or buy one of his shortblocks for 5600, the stage 2 power adder shortblock, and peice the rest yourself. Look on ebay at terry rosebush motersports for a set of bare dart pro 1's for 1350.00. He has 345cc's on there every month or so.

 

[wills65]

Shafiroff is out of the question. Their stuff looks nice, but from my research, for every one good review you read about them there are 3 bad reviews about their motors. When Im spending this much money, I would prefer to go with someone like Mike, who just doesnt have any dissatisfied customers.

 

[70SS540]

My 540 costed me right around $13000 carb to pan. I didnt do a thing on it. Just picked it up from dyno and threw it in the car. That was back in the days when I made money. Dart Block AFR 335 heads. SuperVictor CNC intake. Makes well over 800 hp. Drive it on the street all the time. Very streetable if the low vacuum and higher compression dont bother you. Just have to run at least 50% 110 octane since I'm at 12.8 to 1. I just run all 110 since I only drive it around 4-500 street miles a season (if that).
Dont forget all the other costs too like high dollar headers, exaust, upgrading the fuel system, drivetrain upgrades ect. ect. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[540Hotrod]

Not sure if you saw these...but here's a series of articles I wrote for Corvette Enthusiast covering a 555" I built for a buddy.

The first two are on line and on the stands,....the last article covering the dyno testing will be out real soon.

Ck page 40

http://editions.amospublishing.com/KPCV/Default.aspx?d=20091101&pagenum=1&f=

Ck page 25

http://editions.amospublishing.com/KPCV/Default.aspx?d=20091201&pagenum=1&f=


Several different combos of cams, intakes etc all tested!

My 540 motor has been together for years. The springs are about 5-6 years old with a .774 lift cam. Quite a bit of street running and 7500 rpm regularly. These things can be pretty trouble free. I do check/rebuild roller lifters every year or so.

But just for fun...the above 555" made well over 800HP with a solid flat tappet cam if that gives you an idea!


JIM