[71454Chevelle]

Hey Guys. :waving:
I'm kicking around the idea of doing a 540 build. Don't want to break the bank, but I don't want to do a halfa-- job either. :noway:

My thought was to reuse many of my current components on my 496 along with a Dart block and new pistons. I would shoot for around 10.5 scr (pump gas). I may reuse my solid roller (see specs in signature) or something similar with more lift and maybe a little more duration(maybe a Strauby cam :thumbsup. The Pro Systems 1000HP would be reused along with a fully ported Victor Jr. I would like to reuse the current 2 inch headers (if possible).

The big question is my heads. They started out as 294cc rect port Race Rites. They have been ported by Mike stark of CFM with his Stage 5 porting (see attached link below for additional head detail). They flowed 384 and 250 @.700". After porting intake runners are now 310cc. I dont really want to replace the heads. I'd like a combo that makes peak power around 6200 to 6300 rpm and hold on for a 6500 to 6700 rpm shift. Is this possible with these heads and headers? Will this be a turd up top? I wouldn't mind seeing a 750fwp dyno sheet. Is it doable?

Thanks in advance for all your comments.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372437&highlight=dyno

http://www.cfmperformance.com/services

 

[modchevelle]

Sounds great and why not because of the engine combo you have already.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Did the heads get 2.25" or 2.30" valves? 44" is one thing, jump to 4.500" bore is another. Dart block, no reason to stop at 4.500", you can go another .030 to 4.530" and make it a solid 50" gain. 2" headers will be fine. I'd swap to a single plane

 

[540Hotrod]

How does it hang on at high rev's now? You've got the makings of a 725-750HP combo I think.

Let's say it's a 1.3-1.4 HP per cube street motor...the added 44 cubes are worth 57-61 hp over what you have now *IF* the heads and cam can do it, which I suspect they can. The 2" headers will do OK under 6400 rpm.

Do a search in Hot Rod. I think they called it Godzilla. They did a lot of testing on a similar 540" with a stack of Brodix heads and Lunati cams and various intakes and headers that will give you a good plan.

JIM

 

[72BBMonte]

I think it would be a nasty street combo. It would probably not peak as high rpm as you wish with that cam. I don't think 750hp even with a new cam. The vic Jr. is a single plane intake and rocks with that carb, the work you have done to it, and those cubes. Very good throttle response engine combination with right camshaft.

 

[71454Chevelle]

Did the heads get 2.25" or 2.30" valves? 44" is one thing, jump to 4.500" bore is another. Dart block, no reason to stop at 4.500", you can go another .030 to 4.530" and make it a solid 50" gain. 2" headers will be fine. I'd swap to a single plane

Joe, valves are 2.25". I currently have a Vic Jr sitting in the garage that I was planning to have ported.

 

[71454Chevelle]

How does it hang on at high rev's now? You've got the makings of a 725-750HP combo I think.

Let's say it's a 1.3-1.4 HP per cube street motor...the added 44 cubes are worth 57-61 hp over what you have now *IF* the heads and cam can do it, which I suspect they can. The 2" headers will do OK under 6400 rpm.

Do a search in Hot Rod. I think they called it Godzilla. They did a lot of testing on a similar 540" with a stack of Brodix heads and Lunati cams and various intakes and headers that will give you a good plan.

JIM

Jim,
Even with the dual plane the current combo hangs on pretty good. Before the heads were ported, HP peaked at 6200. Mike Stark said his porting "should" move peak power up 2-300 rpm. Have not had it back on the dyno since but it seems to be hanging pretty good to 6700-6800 rpm.

The 725-750hp comments was referring to the 540 combo, correct?

 

[71454Chevelle]

"If" I do this combo, I'd probably have Chris do his magic on a camshaft. I would like to see around 750, but wasn't sure if it was even possible with these heads and the increased displacement.

Not sure if I will even do this. I may have some extra funds later this year and was just doing some thinking. I wanted to bounce some ideas off you guys to see if I was way off base or not.

 

[540Hotrod]

Mike Stark does some real nice work...so I expect they could pull it off. I'd use the ported Vic Jr.

I've been involved withquite a few of these from mid 750'ish to 950'ish pump gas motors depending on combo.

The first version of my 540 made 732 [email protected] (flywheel) with as cast Brodix 2Xtra's, an old short Team G intake (stock) with a 262/273* .672/.675 lift SR cam. It had around 10.5 compression.That was with belt driven waterpump in place and stock pulleys. It ended up making 615 RWHP with open headers in same configuration as the dyno...except running a fixed steel fan and alternator also.

I did a 555" a few years ago that made 750-760'ish with a 254* HR (.720/.680 lift) using Dart 335's, ported Vic Jr and an HP 1000 carb. It had 11.0 compression. Made about same power with a healthy solid flat tappet. Installing a 268* SR with a Super Vic and Dominator had it making 850 HP.

Again, those HR tests are doing exactly what you're wanting to look at.

JIM

 

[69-CHVL]

With your brother's welding skills, you should be installing a smaller cam, larger chambered-heads, and hang a turbo.

 

[71454Chevelle]

With your brother's welding skills, you should be installing a smaller cam, larger chambered-heads, and hang a turbo.

I have also been wondering about a Procharger.

 

[72BB Nova]

With your brother's welding skills, you should be installing a smaller cam, larger chambered-heads, and hang a turbo.

:yes: I like your thinking Vince.

 

[RICKSRAT]

Darren , Mike ported a set of heads for me a while back and put on a 534" . And 725hp -750hp should be no problem with current heads.

My Combo is:
534" 10.5:1 GMPP 290 Oval port
Stage 5 ported by Mike Stark & flow [email protected]; [email protected] & 312 intake runner
270/282 .714/.714 comp solid roller 112c
454-0 Victor w/1050hp
2 x 3 1/2 headers
Motor made 721hp & 677tq on the dyno w/93oct

Motor pulls good to 6,800-7,000

'72 Chevy truck runs [email protected] on motor

 

[71454Chevelle]

Darren , Mike ported a set of heads for me a while back and put on a 534" . And 725hp -750hp should be no problem with current heads.

My Combo is:
534" 10.5:1 GMPP 290 Oval port
Stage 5 ported by Mike Stark & flow [email protected]; [email protected] & 312 intake runner
270/282 .714/.714 comp solid roller 112c
454-0 Victor w/1050hp
2 x 3 1/2 headers
Motor made 721hp & 677tq on the dyno w/93oct

Motor pulls good to 6,800-7,000

'72 Chevy truck runs [email protected] on motor

Rick,
Thanks for you input. I'm not familar with a 534. What bore/stroke combo is that? Do you know what your final intake runner volume ended up at? Where did your motor make peak power/torque? Your cam is larger than I want to go. I was thinking I would need something in the low 260's intake, low 270's exhaust and in the low .700" for lift.

 

[GRN69CHV]

533/534 is stock 502 bore size of 4.47 with 4.25 crank.

 

[BlackNova]

I just did this. I turned my 489 into a 540. I used the same rods, crank, heads, intake, balancer, and oil pan. I placed the first order through Chris for a Dart block with billit caps,main and rod bearings, springs, head studs, custom solid roller, mahle coated pistons, morel lifters, gasket set, jomar stud girdles and a couple little things. first order was $5,600. Heads got flowed at a local shop. $150. Flowed 360/276. Canfield 310cc. Next order through summit racing was pushrods, valley head stud kit, comp ultra rockers, oil pickup, timing chain cover and some other little things $1,100. I paid $3,000 for machine work for the block (a lot), intake porting, rebalancing, fly cut pistons, machine work galore really... and assembly of the motor by a very meticulous engine builder. I can confidently say he is the best in my area. Next to my engine were 2500hp engines. Mine was built to the same race quality specs of those engines. But obviously making much less power. It was a long process and cost me close to $10,000 to change that motor from a 489 to a 540 still using the old parts I mentioned at the beginning. I sold the old block for $800 on craigslist, the old JE srp pistons on ebay for $150, cam lifters on ebay for $100, and roller rockers on CL for $100.
So I was down to a tick under 9 grand. That's what it cost me, maybe you can do better. But I bought a lot of new parts and not cheap stuff. It's great to think about but it does sting when your forking over all that cash. Chris said I'll be 800HP @ 7000 rpm with his cam and my heads in this motor. This is 11.2.1 compression. I'll be on a chassis dyno soon once my new carb gets here. Motor is in the car with a fresh th400 and COAN converter. I'll be happy with anything over 600 wheel to be honest. Best of luck with your decision. In the end, this cost me much more than I had originally planned for.

and no I am not using that distributor.

 

[71454Chevelle]

I just did this. I turned my 489 into a 540. I used the same rods, crank, heads, intake, balancer, and oil pan. I placed the first order through Chris for a Dart block with billit caps,main and rod bearings, springs, head studs, custom solid roller, mahle coated pistons, morel lifters, gasket set, jomar stud girdles and a couple little things. first order was $5,600. Heads got flowed at a local shop. $150. Flowed 360/276. Canfield 310cc. Next order through summit racing was pushrods, valley head stud kit, comp ultra rockers, oil pickup, timing chain cover and some other little things $1,100. I paid $3,000 for machine work for the block (a lot), intake porting, rebalancing, fly cut pistons, machine work galore really... and assembly of the motor by a very meticulous engine builder. I can confidently say he is the best in my area. Next to my engine were 2500hp engines. Mine was built to the same race quality specs of those engines. But obviously making much less power. It was a long process and cost me close to $10,000 to change that motor from a 489 to a 540 still using the old parts I mentioned at the beginning. I sold the old block for $800 on craigslist, the old JE srp pistons on ebay for $150, cam lifters on ebay for $100, and roller rockers on CL for $100.
So I was down to a tick under 9 grand. That's what it cost me, maybe you can do better. But I bought a lot of new parts and not cheap stuff. It's great to think about but it does sting when your forking over all that cash. Chris said I'll be 800HP @ 7000 rpm with his cam and my heads in this motor. This is 11.2.1 compression. I'll be on a chassis dyno soon once my new carb gets here. Motor is in the car with a fresh th400 and COAN converter. I'll be happy with anything over 600 wheel to be honest. Best of luck with your decision. In the end, this cost me much more than I had originally planned for.

and no I am not using that distributor.

Thanks for your response. :thumbsup:

"If" I do this build, (and I do mean "IF") I don't think I will need all the parts that you just purchased. I was thinking that I could get it done (without any unforseen problems), for under 5k. Some of that will be from a ported Victor Jr, but I was probably planning to do that anyway for this motor.

 

[GRN69CHV]

I just did this. I turned my 489 into a 540. I used the same rods, crank, heads, intake, balancer, and oil pan. I placed the first order through Chris for a Dart block with billit caps,main and rod bearings, springs, head studs, custom solid roller, mahle coated pistons, morel lifters, gasket set, jomar stud girdles and a couple little things. first order was $5,600. Heads got flowed at a local shop. $150. Flowed 360/276. Canfield 310cc. Next order through summit racing was pushrods, valley head stud kit, comp ultra rockers, oil pickup, timing chain cover and some other little things $1,100. I paid $3,000 for machine work for the block (a lot), intake porting, rebalancing, fly cut pistons, machine work galore really... and assembly of the motor by a very meticulous engine builder. I can confidently say he is the best in my area. Next to my engine were 2500hp engines. Mine was built to the same race quality specs of those engines. But obviously making much less power. It was a long process and cost me close to $10,000 to change that motor from a 489 to a 540 still using the old parts I mentioned at the beginning. I sold the old block for $800 on craigslist, the old JE srp pistons on ebay for $150, cam lifters on ebay for $100, and roller rockers on CL for $100.
So I was down to a tick under 9 grand. That's what it cost me, maybe you can do better. But I bought a lot of new parts and not cheap stuff. It's great to think about but it does sting when your forking over all that cash. Chris said I'll be 800HP @ 7000 rpm with his cam and my heads in this motor. This is 11.2.1 compression. I'll be on a chassis dyno soon once my new carb gets here. Motor is in the car with a fresh th400 and COAN converter. I'll be happy with anything over 600 wheel to be honest. Best of luck with your decision. In the end, this cost me much more than I had originally planned for.



and no I am not using that distributor.

Why did you need $3,000.00 in machining for a new Dart block? Carl sells finished CNC machined Dart blocks, ready to assemble for under $3K. 540 I built was based on new GM GenVI style Sportsman (Scoggins Dickey Black Friday Sale). 4 bolt with DI caps, CNC machined. Needed final hone, cam bearings and decks cuts as needed. Everything was spot on, lifter bores, crank centerline and bores, etc. I had $4,500.00 in a complete shortblock using Eagle crank/rods and Mahle pistons. Dropped the block and pistons off at Mahler's, got back a completed assembled shortblock 3 weeks later.

 

[BlackNova]

Ok, let me explain that more. The $3,000 that went to the builder was in 3 payments. first was $300 when I dropped off my 489. He tore that motor down ( I was going to keep it and change it up) but didn't. Once the $300 ran out, Next was $500. That was after he bored the block, got the new pistons balanced with the rods and crank etc. Final pickup price was $2,200. That was for final assembly, fly cut pistons, yada yada yada. We had to bore & hone this block. grind out all the flashing. He had to do some oil clearancing. I thought I was ordering a more finished block. I told the engine builder this block would be "ready to go" when I got it. Ha I couldn't have been more wrong. It is my fault for thinking that, no one elses. I'm just stupid sometimes. The final payment also included a ported intake, the replacement of a few bent valves in my heads, valve guides etc. So no, not just for block machine work. a lot of time went into this engine. I saw its stages and it was impressive.

I'm not trying to talk you out of doing it, but you can see what I spent on what and how much it cost me to give you an idea of what it might cost you. I also think your heads would be just fine in going for 750+ HP. They flowed better than mine. I'm also running 2'' headers. I'll be on a chassis dyno soon and will post my results.

 

[71454Chevelle]

I'm not trying to talk you out of doing it, but you can see what I spent on what and how much it cost me to give you an idea of what it might cost you. I also think your heads would be just fine in going for 750+ HP. They flowed better than mine. I'm also running 2'' headers. I'll be on a chassis dyno soon and will post my results.

I haven't decided weather I will even pull the trigger on this build, I was more just thinking out loud wanting input from you guys. If my plan is correct and I need nothing other than block, pistons, normal rebuild parts, cam upgrade and some machining and maybe a few small $$ misc items, I may do it, but rarely are my plans ever correct. :noway: :clonk: