[against all odds]

How much power can a STOCK small block chevy handle on a regular basis?


We will define "stock" as out of a junkyard or installed in any production car/truck except corvette. No aftermarket or bowtie type blocks.

"Regular basis" will be defined as weekly bracket racing, 3 times per week (fri, sat, sun) and at least 4 runs per race---3 time trials and at least 1st round run. So at least 12 quarter mile passes each week every week with little to no maintenance. Let's also assume that we will use slicks and the car WILL hook if that makes a difference too?

Forget about internals, just the block for now.

[va4cqd]

nothing different about a vette engine

[thinwhiteduke]

I'm no expert, but I would say HEAPS just so long as the block was not flawed in any way to start with and all machine work was done correctly. Ok your gonna say what's "HEAPS" lol, plenty enough for what duties your gonna put in front of it... One of the other more knowledgable boys might be able give a figure... The way I see it, the block is a carriage to house the rotating assembly equipped with cooling and oiling. I'm current rebuilding an old 1973 L65 145 horsepower 2bbl 350 from an impala. It started life as a stick shift in the impala then to a pick-up then was imported here to Australia and I chucked it into my monaro (as a temp) in front of an auto, it had a pretty easy life.
My machinist , who does work on some of the V8 SuperCar engines here said that it was one of the nicest sbc blocks he's seen, well seasoned, tunnel straight as a die, square and flat everywhere. It's only a 2 bolter and I'm hoping to realize 400-450 hp using that block...
It's all about how it's put together IMO

Duke

[swvalcon]

If Its assembled right and you don't do anything stupid with it I would say more passes than you can buy fuel to run or care to anyway.

[hpete]

It's not just power, late-model racers didn't have trouble with the blocks until they started spinning them over 7500 rpm. That was in the mid 80's, since then they've gone way past the power threshold.