I've been reading a ton of threads on here, and from the looks of it, unless I want to spend a ton of money on pistons, my choices are pretty much limited to KB flat tops, KB domes, or SpeedPro forged with no valve reliefs. I'd like to run enough cam to get a good lope going, and looking at running a 23-2500 stall. The car will be occasional street driven (2-3 times/week), and possibly taken on longer trips...I'd like to drive it down to my Dad's house (360 miles) so he can see in person what all I've done to it since he gave it to me...I can send him pictures all day, but until you lay eyes on it..well, you guys get the idea-going off track here-sorry.
Anyway, here's my ideas so far, please correct me if I'm wrong-constructive criticism is welcome...even some ribbing.
Pending block condition, bored + 030"
Would like to get 9.5:1 CR
Would like to run one of the following cams:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-23-710-9/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-720555-10/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-689521/
...or something similar-would like to run hydraulic roller though. I'm also looking at the roller tip rockers from PRW...moving on to heads:
Currently, the engine is wearing some 250 castings, which unless my guess is wrong, they are open chamber. I'd really like to avoid using them as they would shoot my plans for close quench all to hell, unless I find some pistons that come out of the deck about 060. I bought a set of 516s off one of the members here, and they're currently at the machine shop being surfaced and having a couple broken studs removed, but I need to find a set of valves to drop in there as they are the small exh heads. I figure I could use the 1.74s out of the 250 heads as long as they're serviceable unless you guys have other fruitful suggestions. I know the guides will have to be cut down to run any of those cams listed above, and that's fine...I'm sure they'll probably need new guides anyway.
...or, I've also thought about the 440 Source Stealth heads...already built, ready for bigger cams. I've read though, they require new locks/retainers to be reliable, and one would be well-served to blend the bowls a little and clean up the seats before just bolting them on.
For induction, I'd like to run an Edelbrock RPM; I've used that manifold on several different engine builds, and it's never failed to impress. I've also read the Torker isn't a bad choice-what it gives up on the low end is made up on the top end, and it's shorter so lends a little more to hood clearance. The carb-at least for the time being-would be the 600cfm Summit carb I'm currently using on my 5.2. It seems to run fine and has yet to give me any problems. I'm sure it would require some jetting, but I have a kit for that.
Distributor...I suspect a stock one for any 383/400 would work just fine, and they are available at the local parts store for all of $55 outright for the electronic remans. I see no point in spending 4 times that much unless there's truly a tangible benefit to running something like a Mallory/MSD/Pertronix. On MP dizzys, I've read a couple places they have a little too quick of advance curve, so that would only worsen potential for detonation. Please correct me if I've been led astray on this idea.
Headers: I was figuring on getting the Schumacher tri-ys since I'll be ordering the engine mounts and torque strap from them anyway...and my existing 2.5" exhaust ought to fit the bill nicely as I'm not looking to make more than about 400-450 fwhp.
The trans is a 727 (obviously) I picked up with the engine, and as mentioned, I'm not opposed to using about 2500 stall-any recommendations as to mfr's to steer clear of?
Rear end: I've got an 8 3/4 housing, and recently acquired a 741 SG pumpkin with 3.23s...I'll swap to 3.55 or possibly 3.73s depending on how I feel later, but it'll definitely get shorter cogs.
I know I'll also need some better suspension parts front and rear, and plans are in work for that as well...I was thinking Just Suspension's 1.02" torsion bars, and MP SS leafs...maybe caltracs, and certainly weld in subs.
Ok, fire away y'all...
