318 Senior Project Build

OldmanRick said
I'm reading a little bit of conflict here as you say this is a "Senior Project". Maybe you can clarify exactly what that means? Is this build to be graded or subject to some scrutiny from your school? Is it for the engine only? A 400 hp 318 will desperately need a supporting cast of torque converter and rear gear to operate properly.

First off, i'd throw that horsepower figure out the window. While you can cam a engine like you're talking about to make something close to 400 hp, the reliability and drivability would suffer greatly in a highway geared car with a stock torque converter.

I'd find a good machine shop and "blueprint" the engine to the hilt using the components your thinking of and what you already have. Using the proper cam could still put it in the 300 hp range, have street drivability, and last for tons of miles.

My senior project is to explore either a career field or subject that is not taught in high school. I am given the last two weeks outside of school my senior year to do so. Its graded on a pass/fail grade. So as long as I take pictures and tell what I learned I pass. I have talked to an administrator about it at my school and they're on board with it, I just have to fund it.

I would just be rebuilding the engine and cleaning up the bay. Alright so my 400 hp goal is out of reach. That's probably a good thing for a kid my age. To be honest I just want some sort of hp gain.

So with this rebuild kit from summit am I looking at any noticeable hp gain? I currently have a cam in the engine but I'm not too sure of the specs the previous owner just said it was a bigger cam. Should I still look into milling down the block and replacing my heads with magnum heads? Or am i able to obtain close to 300 hp without that. I was planning on boring out the cylinders .30 regardless of what I do.

Sorry I'm new to engine building
Thanks in advanced
Dom