[against all odds]

This is that little jewel i was talking about in the other thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddA1MgLex2Q


When they say bottom end are they talking about the main caps or the reciprocating assembly? Incidentally, i don't think 4 bolt mains can be added to this block----229 is a 305 minus 2 cylinders. But not sure; would have to double check if possible.

Also as far as mods to the block, what would this entail?

i haven't called them yet, because i'm not at that stage yet.

[cobalt327]

I have no doubt they added splayed caps to the stock 2-bolt block. They used an even fire crank- that alone puts the cost up there pretty good. Add the massive amount of work the heads would need, and a custom solid roller valve train... I'd imagine a SBC V8 could have been built for half the cost that made a lot more power.

Impressive power, just the same. Can't imagine why his customer didn't want to use a 4.3 L engine (if it had to be a V6 Chevy 90 degree NA engine) to build from, though.

[against all odds]

Exactly---i'm thinking the 33 extra inches would have made it a little easier and given more safety margin. Well, actually more than 33 inches because it could probably be bored over at least .030 like a 350 and if they use the common pin odd fire crank then they could custom order it to 3.75". Almost 60 more inches.

But i always thought that 4 bolt mains could not be added to these blocks---well the 200 and 229 at least because they are basically 267's and 305s minus two cylinders. Will have to further check this. At the very least they probably studded it?

i'm sure they know what they are doing and i haven't called them yet. i'm sure a 8cyl small block could be built at home that equals or exceeds those numbers at a cheaper cost.

[1971BB427]

SBC 4 bolt main blocks are only 4 bolt on the middle three m ains. Lose one main on a V6 and you should be able to do 4 bolt on the middle two mains.
When they refer to bottom end, they maen all of the crank, rotating assembly, etc. Not just one or the other. Top end is heads, cam, lifters, etc.