[SpeedySteve]

Hi guys,

I am really new to the forums, Hope i blend in well here.

I've got several different builds going on right now, But today's question is pointed towards my drag car build.

I have a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88(G-body car) that is in the process of being converted into a drag car.... The power plant for this car is 454 bbc that i pulled out of a 76 chevy pickup.

I'm not really looking to build a high Hp, High Rpm machine here... I want to build Gobs of torque in the low to mid rpm range.

I've already decide to stay with the stock stroke because A: a 454 is already a torque building machine and B: The shorter stroke will allow the engine to pull through its power band just a little bit faster.

I want to be in the 10.5-1 to 11-1 compression range when done. Good race fuel is hard to find around here at a decent price and the guys around here are pulling really good numbers out of pump gas when in this compression range.

Mainly i was wondering what you guys suggest for good heads/camshaft/manifold to build torque with?

Also, If you guys have any tips or suggestions or think i should change my build a little, I would be glad to here them as i am still in the planning stages of the build right now and am open to about anything.

I am on a little bit of a budget right now, but if you guys think something is worth the money, I'll save my pennys for a little bit longer.

Steven.

[ericnova72]

You can run a small block at 10.5-11 to 1 compression, but it isn't the same with big blocks, 9.5-10.25 to 1 is about the max. The combustion chamber size and shape is a lot different and won't tolerate as high a compression ratio.

The truck heads are what is probably known as peanut ports and aren't much good for even mild performance.

The Cutlas is a G-body, isn't the Delta 88 a B-body?

[454C10]

a drag car with good low rpm torque is kind of a weird setup.

a 76 454 should be using 781 heads, these are good heads and should make decent power in stock from. However they have big 120cc chambers and will require a dome piston.

for a drag car, I would use 4.11 gears, 3,000 stall, compcam 294S with the proper valve train, regular performer rpm intake, 750-850 holley carb, full length headers, 2-1/2 pipe with areochamber mufflers, set compression up at 10:1 cr. run 25 degree of initial timing with 42 max.

if you want to use a 3.73 gear then use a 2800 stall, 9.5:1 cr and a 280H compcam

3.55 gear: use a 2500 stall, 9.25:1 cr and a 268H or 270H.

3.08 gear: use a 2000 stall, 8.5 to 9:1 cr and a compcam 260H.

[firestone]

The 781's or 049's can go a long way as mentioned. If you go with them untouched, you will probably be in the ~450 hp range max. With porting, larger valves, and a decient sized solid roller, ~600 is not out of the question. If you want to go aftermarket, some CNC chamber AFR 305cc heads will allow up to ~700. All of these numbers assume ~10:1 compression. What are you wanting to spend on this setup?

Adam

[SpeedySteve]

Thanks guys.... I know a low rpm drag car is a really weird thing, but i've seen some set up this way and they really haul!!!... Pluss they run several seasons without any rebuilds because of this..... The hardest part is just getting the tires to hook.

The heads are 781's, But I want to be in the high 500 ft lbs of torgue and close to if not more than 600 Hp, So i think aftermarket heads are needed here?.....I was looking at the Afr 305 heads, Are they really worth the money, Or is there something better out there for less??

Sorry about being so vague on the rpm range i want... I would like the cars power band to be right around 1,500 to 5,500 Rpm.... I don't really want to run higher than that.

I was planning on running 3.73 gears and was looking at a 280H cam, But i'm still looking for suggestions on this.

[firestone]

I would recommend sending your 781's off to a trustworthy machine shop. Get 2.19 1.88 valves installed, and get them ported. I have a friend who had the following engine built and dynoed:

461 ci
9.5:1 compression
victor Jr intake
2.19 1.88 valve 781 heads with a clean up port job
242 248 @.050 .600 lift hydraulic roller cam
850 carb

560 hp at 6100 RPM
560 ft lbs, dont know RPM

I would recommend the performer RPM air gap for your setup rather than the Victor JR. The AFR 305cc heads are a very nice head and well worth the price if you are looking for 700+ hp, but since you are not looking for that much, I dont know if that is necessary. With a full port job and a larger solid roller cam, I think you would approach 600 hp.

I just read the rest of your post, and saw that you want to stay at 5500 RPM, that makes things a little more difficult. You will most likely be able to get the torque you are after, but the HP is going to be difficult even with the AFR heads in my opinion. I would shoot for a max RPM of ~6300 to get the HP you are after while still keeping the RPM down.

Adam