Your budget is the biggest limit. With aftermarlet heads and other components, 600 HP is "doable" on pump gas. Quite rowdy (lots of "cam"...).
500 is a "slam-dunk" with properly prepared oval ports ('68-'69 350 HP 396 or 390 HP 427) and good induction/exhaust and a roller. We have one "out there" in a '70 SS396 Camaro that runs low 11s with street "slicks". He CLAIMS 14 MPG, but that may be optimistic.
Been building/racing big blocks and engines in general, professionally since the sixties. Have a little experience with them.
396 engines are hard to build compression with modern heads. The older good heads are like hens teeth. Good performance pistons are hard to get/expensive. Many are listed in parts books but are no longer axailable. Most of the reasonably priced stuff is for the 4.250 bore engines. etc. etc. etc...
Dual 4 bbls,good heads,roller cam,and about 15k in total will get 640 HP street able.What the above members are trying to tell you is either build a street friendly 396 because you want a 396 and look for a respectable 475 plus HP,maybe costing 7-8k
Or build a top drawer 396,solid roller,Al heads,custom pistons for 15k that makes 600HP and bolt on a twin carb tunnel ram for another 2k and get 640 HP
1.5 HP per cubic inch is a very strong street motor
a 600 hp single 4 bbl 496 stroker is cheaper and makes torque at a much lower RPM
Since you have a chevelle you might want to keep the 396 But if you choose one of these you will get More Horsepower Per Dollar with more cubic inches and more reliable also the more hp per cu in the more stress on parts,the first engine is a 66 /427 factory rated at 425 hp the second is a 496 tri power same block different stroke and compression, this 427 ahs solid roller 12.5 cr square port heads roller 850 quick fuel carb etc.etc. etc probably in high 550 or better at about 6800 rpm,the 496 is oval port alum trick flows ,hyd roller cam 10.1flat tops 3 holley 500 2 bbl carbs roller rockers .Very depandable High tourque,respectable hp probably 550 or better at about 5800 rpm .VERY Sreetable the 427 ir radical for street both make abiut same power but tge 427 has to turn much more RPM to do the same job which do you think will last longer with less parts breakage ,,Just my opimion im sure there are many more...also you can keep your valve covers a nd decals A Sleeper.:thumbup::thumbup:
Vinnie nailed it. As I said, it's plenty "doable", just $$$. Hard to argue with virtually ANY BBC combination for a specific application when budget and parts are "right" with a good builder. And all the chatter about 496 is absolutely correct. GREAT street engine. But your block won't "fit"...
Since you have nothing but a bare block, you have a ton of choices. What was said about "shelf" pistons is correct. Hard to find for the "good" ones. "Custom" pistons have become far more popular and available in the last 10 years than they used to be (and less expensive form certain makers). With all the stroking and boring and rod length changes going on, "custom" engines are full of them. In another thread for a "torque" engine, I described a "428" BBC, using a 396 block and 454 crankshaft. EXTREMELY powerful for it's "size". It won't rev "quick" like a 427, but it will drag one backwards down the street. For a "pump gas street" application, a very good approach. This is particularly true in a heavier car.
With dual quads (properly set up, of course), modern heads and a good street roller, you have the makings of a SERIOUS BBC. I like it!
Just remember 454 is external balance weight added to balancer and flex plate/flywheel,, 396 -427 ore intetnal balance you will need matching flywheel and harmonic balancers But you probably already knew that ,just a reminder.:thumbup:
In 1965 Chevy offered the 396 in Corvettes rated at 425 HP stock. A 425 HP 396 is a easily built engine with good street manners, and will still do well on the strip. Start trying to wring out another 175 HP on pump or race gas, and it will take a lot of money, and not be a street engine any longer.
I love the 396, and it's a great motor, but these guys are right, you really need more cubic inches to get to 600hp without breaking the bank, and becoming a strictly strip engine.
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