I personally, would go for the 496. But its your budget. You can't go wrong with one of his engines whichever you decide.

 

That's kindof what i'm thinking. If i'm spending this much it isn't much more for his 496.

 

Give Mark a call, let him know what you are intending to do with it and let him make a recommendation.
Start like this..."if it were you, what would YOU do?"
I've found that works in a lot of situations and is perfect for this one.

 

Cuda, unless you do rather a bit of chassis work, you wont use all of that 496 power. An honest 580 ft lbs will blow you away.

 

I have a 700hp 520 BBC that was in my Nova it was a blast to drive. I'm sure you'll like the 496 that Mark builds.

 

Personally for me that 467 would be enough. The videos of Mark running that 467 in his own car are impressive.

 

My way of thinking: 496= more money, more fuel usage, more driveline breakage, more cooling required.

 

….yet totally worth it at times..!

 

I have his "base" 467 and it's plenty. Now I don't race, just cruise so that engine meets my goals and expectations. I did chat with him before I ordered and told him my goal(s) and what I have was what we agreed on. I have had this set-up for 10 yrs. now with zero regrets! Good luck with whatever you choose...you won't be disappointed!

 

Agree. I have his 468 and I’m always afraid I’m going to break the driveline just by flooring it. Mucho tourqe!!

 

You need to decide what you want to end up with. Even with the 467 first gear will become useless. If you bring it to the drag strip it should run well below the 11.50 mark so that means you have to have a roll bar and 3” belts that you have to replace every two years OR you have to slow it down. Generally as horsepower goes up the car starts to transition into a race car and less a street car. You need to be honest about what your goals are.

 

I would go 496 it is a little more money but you are really just about there anyway. Also with the extra tq you can run a lower gear in the rear and thus make it more highway friendly. Or if you do have a low gear (say 2.73 or 3.08) the extra tq will help also. Either engine will be a massive improvement over the 402. A typical 402 will have 420 to 450 ft. lb of tq so big improvement either way.

 

You've got your gearing terms backwards. Higher gears are lower numbers (2.73, 3.08, 3.23, etc.). Lower gears are higher numbers (3.73, 4.11, 4.56, etc.).

 

I have the 467/570 hp engine and love it. I have found, however, that HP is a drug and the 467/570 is a gateway drug. Sure, I could just stay with it and be happy, but how much happier would I be with the 496/650? and then the next biggest one, and the next.....I may have to check myself into rehab........

But in all seriousness, I agree with everyone else, buy the one that fits your needs. You will love any engine you get from Mark. I wanted a cruiser that I could drive anywhere but still have that punch when I floored it and I get all that and more from the 467/560.

 

I vote 467 from your description.

 

Yeah the 496 would definitely be overkill for my use but awesome at the same time. My plans are basically a fun cruiser that I may take to the strip now and then just for fun. I'm not going to hard core track it or anything. Running 3.73 gears so gearing isn't an issue and i'm sure i'll just smoke the rear tires even with the 467, i do however think i'm going to try out a set of Nitto 555R's 275/60R15. But I will give Mark a call on it when i get closer to ordering it.

 

Go for the 496!!

 

Just another FYI - Mark put my 467/570 on the dyno for me and it came out 601 HP and 612 TQ.

 

I have a friend with one of Marks 496's it is amazing how this thing pulls in 3rd gear;that being said he is now addressing everything behind the flywheel for the power increase. It idles fine,never overheats, it really is a great package.Call Mark!

 

I'm not too worried about my driveline. I overbuilt it when i converted to 4 speed. Jody's M23W transmission, quicktime steel bell housing, Action machine aluminum driveshaft with 1350 U joints. I rebuilt the 12 bolt a few years ago and went with Moser axles but the center section is stock with new clutches.

 

your ready to rock& roll!

 

Personally I think the smaller engine is what I would go with. Get in touch with Jody and find out if the M23W will handle any more. Most people really dont have a clue what kind of damage 650 lb ft of torque can do Especially if you somehow get it hooked up. The 467 will probably fry the tires as long as you can keep your foot in it.

 

Does Mark still build 540s? I often heard “buy the biggest baddest BBC you can afford and never look back.” Long term you’ll be $$$ thousands ahead if that red eyed HP monkey latches on and can’t be shaken.

 

Hahah! Maybe, but most of these folks have NEVER tried to harness 600 ft lbs. 650 or 700 would be rather academic unless its at the strip.

PS CUDA... 600ft lbs would get you to roll cage area. 650 ft lbs and you ought be running 10's. PS am running same driveline as you, exe 3.31 final. I cant use the extra oomph of a 4.25" stroke on this platform. Again MAYBE it would run incrementally better at the strip. Having said that , i have not yet got mine to 121 mph, Mark's target. So if you can live with high 11s at 120+ the 4" 454 is all you need. 125-130 mph knocking on 10s? Sure stroke it. You choose!

Of course, some folks only care to brag about inches and dynos, and if that's you, ( and that's ok) make Mark push you to 700!

You wont get a clutch car to actually use most of it, is my point.

PS my 2nd gen M23Z is rated@ 800 ft lbs.

 

Not worried about the transmission which is one of the reasons I went with it. Jody has said he has alot of his M23 series behind 700-750HP engines doing just fine. He does still build 540's but that is waaaayy to much engine for my car.

 

YOLO

 

496! Best bang for your buck. Cheapest HP/TQ you'll ever buy.

 

It’s your budget and your bragging rights but 560/580 is a plenty for “cruising and an occasional trip to the track. My 460 is 560/575 and I’ve run 11.3 at nearly 4000# with 3.73 gears which is “roll bar territory”. Your not going to use near what that 496 has to offer on any street and if you do you can find yourself in a bad spot in a hurry. My vote is for the 467.

 

I'm not into bragging rights, just a muscle car nut. The 496 would definitely be overkill but hey, overkill can be fun. I'll probably just stick with the 467 which really will be plenty for what I do but I will still talk to Mark about it. I would be completely satisfied if it ran in the 11's being it's a mostly stock appearing car.

 

Overkill can be fun. I’m with you there. There is no disappointment or downside other than extra cost. You’re gonna be a happy camper either way. Good luck!

 

With your car being a 4 speed, have you thought of asking about a 427? Might lose a bit of torque but short stroke engines just seem to go hand in hand with a manual transmission.

 

It is easier to launch the 600 ft lb 467 than the 450 ft lbs 427 on slicks with a manual trans and shallow rear gear. 1.70 60' w/o trying hard yet shows it. ( also am replacing the clutch disc as it glazed. )