Easy 550-Plus Horsepower Chevy Build (Naturally Aspirated!)
Here's a build from Keith Dorton of Automotive Specialists that's a naturally aspirated small block Chevy making an easy 557 horsepower. Best of all, it uses no exotic parts and can be easily duplicated thanks to smart part selection. This build uses a Dart SHP block, Molnar crank and connecting rods, Mahle pistons, Crane Cams valvetrain, AFR cylinder heads, Edelbrock Intake manifold, MSD ignition and a Holley carb.
Automotive Specialists' website: www.automotivespecialists.com
Here's some of the major components we used in the build:
Dart SHP block: amzn.to/2RiI7yq
Mahle Forged piston set: amzn.to/2Rkeqgf
AFR Eliminator cylinder heads: amzn.to/36nafEE
Edelbrock Victor Jr intake: amzn.to/2RGHjSQ
MSD Pro Billet distributor: amzn.to/2vhZXJh
Brawler Carburetor: amzn.to/2sW709O
We're constantly uploading great new videos. Please subscribe so you won't miss out!
kzhead.info_c...
MORE INTERNET GOODNESS:
Website: www.horsepowermonster.com/
Facebook: / horsepowermonster
Instagram: / horsepowermonster
Man really is building a motor behind his desk...inside...clean and comfy.....me currently crying about 40f and rain laying on old covered gravel and oil satuated cardboard pieces
at least it ain’t 95f and humid asf
@@aceactiv3531 yea. Never have to fix anything when it's 70 and sunny. Either too cold or too hot lol
Nah dude imagine 100f and dry and laying on black top because your dad throw away your cardboard thinking it was trash
That's the only way I know how to do it. I'm so grateful when I do get to work in a shop or use a lift
PONDERIN' RC Don't forget it's always the absolute worse time in the world for it to lay down on you.
My old man was a master at building sbc’s for dirt racing when i was a kid. His most impressive build was a 400 that he stroked to a 413, 0 decked the block, ported and polished a high dollar set of heads, a real mean cam and the thing dynoed around 700 horse. All with a 4 barrel naturally aspirated
You lyin 🤣😂😂, naw I believe thou, until I learn different.
@@gastonneal3761 have you ever heard of the super late model racing class? Those cars are pushing over 900 hp out of N/A sbc’s and sbf’s. NASCAR’s engines also made 950 horse up until the early 2000’s when they governed them down to about 700. Those are also naturally aspirated small block Chevys
@@rustyshackleford1656 those aren't 23 degree engines
@@rustyshackleford1656 yep. With a stroker under them and removing the restrictions they can get over 1000HP N/A
I know you from somewhere 🤔 you had a channel didn't you? Or maybe even kicked it on comment somewhere else.
The 500 plus pounds of torque is the real deal here. This is going to be a crazy fun street motor!
right
Hello John.
Absolutely
Watching that guy assemble an engine is like art. I’d love to have that guy in the garage to tell me everything I’m doing wrong.
What a absolute gift to get to watch him in action. A true genius. He wasn't even breaking a sweat on this little small block build. To have just half of his knowledge, HALF!
The 400 is a beast at heart, 200cc ports, decent compression, not even that big a cam, a big carb and bam the thing knocks out 550 horse ! even sounds like a big block ! what's not to love !
Lol. The cost of a bare block...
I need this engine for my wife's 81 Camaro Z-28.... maybe that would earn it some respect after the 175hp stock 350... lol...
I popped on my subframe connectors np. Made it very firm! No roof cracks at all! Keeps that front end flat on the ground!
Subframe connectors a must! My 89 fbody handles 540 ft lbs
Don't it come with 305
@@arnoldibarra4592 The 350 was available with a 4 speed auto if i remember correctly
My 2000 SS Camero has a built LS6 with 550 hp.Speed engineering stainless headers with 3 inch Borla exhaust,big Comp cam,Trick flow heads with Brian Tooley pushrods and 102 Fast intake and 102 Fast throttle body.She sounds so damn good!!!
I make my living as an AERA certified machinist and having eight years building engines , this guy is a excellent builder.
i like the way he sends it at 4:44, 7:09, and 2:58
How long does it take to assemble a motor , given all matching done etc?
I love how you guys take engine builds seriously! Thumbs up for ya!
I love Keith and his crew. They are real and do awesome builds. They right up the road from me. They are the only ones I'd go to, and believe me Plenty other builders in Concord NC !
i had the same short block with a .700 crane roller afr 210 heads and 2 Holley 750 on a Holley tunnel ram in my 55 chevy pro street car. it was a blast to drive.
Perfect video to watch on my lunch break.
This is a complete work of Beauty!!! Great work Gentlemen!👍🏼 can't wait to do mine!
I build my own,I like the way the guy places the rings on with the rod just standing up on newspaper . learn something new everyday
I really like the vintage Corvette valve covers. That shop is clean as an aircraft hangar
@Clay Potter to quote R. Lee Ermey: 'well, no shit'
With only 195 cc intake runners for 400 cubic inches and .558 lift, I was really surprised to see a pickup of 15 lbft and 26 ponies. Stout engine and well worth the investment.
I love these types of builds.... keep up the great work guys
Thanks! And thanks for watching
Very nice street engine. Bulletproof bottom end and great breathing heads.
And this is when I say..."whats not to like"? You could flog the hell out of this without worry.
Keith and Jeff at Automotive Specialists did an amazing job on a 6 liter Ford diesel for me. Nothing but he highest quality.
This man has forgotten more about engines than most will ever know and like Dale Wexler from WTT, he has passed his knowledge and passion down to his kid. I'd love to have this engine with FI in an M80 with a 5spd. (You Southern Boys of a certain age will know what an M80 is.) Or for a total Sleeper, a Wagon of the same platform.
The level of car Keith Dorton takes is just great to see. Motors are like babies, you have to be firm but gentle with them.
"BABIES"? More like Women.. You can TRY and build what you think is going to be a hot-rod, and they will empty your bank account. Or you can stick some 'parts' in them, they blow up and STILL take your bank account....
You have to be firm with a baby?
pulls nice and strong all the way through
A man can dream about what’s affordable . I play lotto to keep dreams like this alive .. just so awesome to hear that you can beat the snot out of it and have fun and it worry about Grenading it the first time you try to impress your buddy in a 1/4 mile burnout .. your videos are just great 👍 . Enjoy seeing master at his craft ,
I did this similiar build in a mopar but with steelies as back in the day mopar aluminum heads were nuts., with a cam motion 567 lift roller set up with a stroker kit. Its a great street motor. Still fighting traction problems
Excellent build!! I love all of your parts selection. I would have you build for me in a second.
I have known this gentlemen for most of my career. I knew his brother Randy as well. We were racing against both of them until Randy's death in a plane crash. Just for a little information Randy was chief engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports (Think Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson) while Keith is President of Automotive specialists in Concord. He builds mainly for short track racing competition but make no mistake he and Randy are legendary engine builders. I worked for Dale Earnhardt Inc from 2004 thru the merger with Chip Ganassi to become EGR till 2009 and that's how I know them.
@@monsterinthebed concord, California? I want my 1994 blazer to push well over 450 HP.
Really great horsepower for the street. Great video. 👍🏽👍🏽
@camaroguy 66. 👍🏽👍🏽
Love the fact that ol boy assembles pistons on newspaper!! You know that's a well built, stump-pulling motor!
I'm going to assume that's because towels will weave themselves a blanket on the oil pickup
@@jimmypatterson9854 you would be correct. You want no fibers in your oil sysyem.
Gotta defend these guys here against all the hate, if you want this kinda power NA, you are NOT going to do it going to your local parts store. Period. So if you think its hard going on Google and buying the parts you need then this is not for you. Also, if you think its supposed to cost 500 dollors for everything, you are dumb. Im building a 383 at the moment, saving every penny i can on ebay and other sources and still ill be lucky if i get it done for less than 4 grand.. Guess what it cost money to do this, dont want to spend the money? Go collect stamps or some shit, this is easy for people with enough will power and want to do it. Personally i found this video very accurate and informational, if you disagree go build a cheap ass Honda!
But, but, KZhead engine experts....I mean, you know all these guys are pros with their own machine shop and dynos.....right?
my honda build isn't cheap lol but ok...neither was the 95 ss impala. or my guys 16 wrx sti. money and time. plain and simple with any build deemed proper. if I jump out there I'll put my ss on you. if that don't work my awd j series 94 2dr accord will clean up any and all challenges. it did as an h series fwd... just saying... got knowledgeable people around me. btw my first build was a sr20 for a 91 se-r. 440 at the wheel 😎🤙
Ive messed around with Mopars Pontiacs..but still love the sound of a high winding Small Block Chevy..music to my ears
You should love it also because of how much more $$ it takes to build a mopar, that won't be as reliable.
That gasket sealer bead tho..damn! Dude is the man
Excellent build high end high buck parts too!!
Nice little look. Little expensive for a tight budget. I have found that first place in a rebuilding sleeper motor is breathing. Starting with a good set of big valve closed chamber heads. Ported by hand. Polished. Make sure they fit the gasket on both intake and exhaust. A good manifold. I like the torker. Carb sitting a little off square. I also recommend a double pump. Dual feed. 850 cfm holly. 556/ split duration cam shaft. Anti pump up lifters. Chrome rings. A-large set of tuned headers. And I stand by this. Use the biggest exhaust pipe you can. I prefer 3” O.D If you have an automatic. You are going to have to install a stall speed torque converter. And a little aviation fuel never hurts. Just don’t forget to add the marvel mystery oil to the AV Gas. Top end lube a must.
These Dart SHP blocks kick some ass. I'm building one starting in a few weeks.
Excellent. Hope it goes great!
A great meat and potatoes build.....watching Keith build is very satisfying as he reinforces all of the tricks and attention to detail I have hined in myself over the years. A well written and narrated video that spares the bullshit and shows how a Gen 1 small block is still a viable option. My only beef is that this is an $9000 engine.......albeit bulletproof. My own 406 uses a stock block and is very similar.....I built it for around $5000......but as the video states, probably no where near as strong.
By the time you source a good LS block, machine it with similar quality pistons and rods. Then buy all the electronics to make it run you have spent 50% more. And still have a fragile LS
He is very careful and takes his time. Plus very clean and knowledgeable so think I found my pro street car engine builder.
Awesome build, makes me feel great about my motor 388 with 200 AFR’s, 10.3-1 comp, and a 254/260 .591/597 solid roller and a 850 QF. It’s never been dynoed so I have a idea now that’s it probably 550 plus. It took my full weight C3 at 3,200Lbs to a 10.86@122mph with a 3500 converter and 3.90 gear on 93 with drag radials. Drove it to track.
I'm running nearly this same engine in my 65 Chevelle right now. These engines work better with a performer rpm manifold. You don't need forged parts for 6K rpm people but the roller cam and heads sure help. Not cheap to build but endless torque, perfect drivability with plenty of top end.
I agree with everything you just said. As far as Street performance the Edelbrock RPM air gap will blow their intake away in low end without giving much on top. I was surprised these engine Masters didn't go for it. I suppose they wanted horsepower on top in as bragging rights but sacrificing low in torque for the street is unacceptable since this is a street build.
@@flyhigh6591 that setup changed my TPI L98 from an anemic 80s v8 into a low budget race motor and took away very little low range torque. It can make for a tall setup though, needed a 3" cowl to clear it.
really cool motor love looks about everything you did with it
I love the valve covers !
This gentleman is like a chef doing the most Delicious Happy birthday Cake!!! Is called love for what you're doing. Cheers and i suscribe.
I built the first 383 factory 010 block with 3.75 stroke with 6"rods small basecircle cam block in 1996. Before all these special clearanced h beam rods where available...... its still running 26 years later with 85000 miles..... dynoded 575 hp and 18- 22 mpg with 3 spd th350 and 3.42 gears...... I scraped 2 blocks trying to clearance for the stroke.
557 hp and your getting 18/22 mpg. You must be choking the heck out of that engine to get that good of mpg with that much hp that engine got to be starving for fuel....lol
As soon as I saw the Tri-Y headers, I hit the subscribe button.
Next you should do a 496 with 781 heads with 2.190 intake valve. 700 horsepower al day on pump gas with all stock parts plus stroker rotating assembly.
Could probably get a 502 from a boat or motorhome fairly cheap.
I got two old school 2 bolt 454 bbc's completely bare blocks for sale. No crank, main caps, BARE.
@@JayLupe I have one 454 that needs a sleeve and a 366 top kick block, going to build a couple of coffee tables and sell them, jokes on them cause they are junk, but they will still look awesome
Keith Dorton has the Magic and his son also has the same Magic i watch them both work together WOW what a Powerhouse Amazing from 🇨🇦 #YSW I follow you 💯 from
I would care to see more of Keith Dorton Magic with his so also coming up with a crazy Engine Build i know that they both could do this we are into a New Year this would really make many people that follow very happy Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 Happy Holidays from 🇨🇦 #YSW respect back to you 🙏
This Ford guy approves this build....magnificent....magnificent......magnificent
AFR cylinder heads make it soooo easy to build a streetable high output engine!
I built this SAME MOTOR last year, except I used a '70's 350 block, shot-peened the rods, went with 76cc heads so it'll run good on regular gas, dual plane Edelbrock I had laying around, and a 272 cam. Got $500 in the build.
That’s not the same motor and your not we’re near 550 HP.
How did you get 400 cu in out of a 350 block???
Deffinatly going to get great longevity out of all the high end parts used. Same results can be had with a scat crank and rods and a good stock block. But you will be at the limits of a stock block. Nice video. Was a great watch.
I have three 400 blocks and want to build one really badly, easiest power is made from displacement, why do we throw 305's in the trash, absolutely no reason for it, just because we can, seen fairly stock 305 make over 350hp for no reason
305's are basically junk they just a waste of time and money.
Carburetor definitely made the lines climb, one sweet engine, truly enjoyed the video.......
"Best of all, it uses no exotic parts and can be easily duplicated thanks to smart part selection." Everything is easily duplicated if you have enough money.
their parts were donated as advertising. hp pumped up.
500 - Dart SHP Block 900 - Molnar crank 600 - Molnar rods 750 - Mahle forged pistons 1600 - AFR 195 cc heads 400 - Crane billet roller cam 320 - Victor Jr intake 300 - MSD distributor 450 - Holley Brawler carb Machine shop ? Misc bolts, gaskets, lube, rings, roller lifters, roller rockers, pushrods, billet timing cover, ATI superdamper, valve covers, waterpump, pulleys??????? Easy... With no "exotic" parts.
Easy build... hand $7500 to your engine builder...
You can use eagle or scat parts
@@trillrifaxegrindor4411 13 degree heads, custom headers, custom carb, crank trigger, timing belt drive, jesel shaft rockers, and vacuum pump. That's stuff is exotic, the stuff they used is just expensive.
Very nice engine build!!!!! I would be proud to own it. I liked the video thanks to sharing.☺️☺️☺️👍👍👍👍
That Holley double pumper made him come alive!
True but if you drive it on the street at all the smaller carb would give much better throttle response. Granted it cost a bit up top but not enough that you'd notice.
That was a nice build actually. After seeing the results I'm so impressed with it I wonder what this motor might make with an old school solid lifter flat tappet camshaft. Love the roller hydraulic but if using hydraulic roller perhaps I'd have used an OEM style aftermarket performance lifter to save the weight of the tie bar and about $500 lol. To me one of the advantages of those Dart blocks is the ability to use OEM style rollers.
Nothing like the clackity-clack of a solid flat tappet cam 👍
@@GOSH454 yep and the 6000rpm limit you get with hydraulic lifters is easily raised and they're a bit lighter.
Pay your money make your choice. Arm chair builds are always better than the real thing. Thanks for posting.
Got one right now had to take away from grandpa out in the shed. Little over 612 hp for a recliner isnt too shabby but grandpa kept breaking axles
Nice.. we’re fixing to start our engine build on the 86 c10 Stepside
i have a 5.0 but man do I love them chevy motors so damn reliable and can build some good power for cheap.
I wish I could have the honors to work next to Keith. He’s a major bucket list for me to meet.
1500 - Dart SHP Block 900 - Molnar crank 600 - Molnar rods 750 - Mahle forged pistons 1600 - AFR 195 cc heads 400 - Crane billet roller cam 320 - Victor Jr intake 300 - MSD distributor 450 - Holley Brawler carb Machine shop ? Misc bolts, gaskets, lube, rings, roller lifters, roller rockers, pushrods, billet timing cover, ATI superdamper, valve covers, waterpump, pulleys??????? Easy... With no "exotic" parts. I'm going with clickbait..
Darrell Coy yah thats what i thought this is absurd and unreasonable as well as kind of shaming towards ACTUAL budget/ easy builds lol... i turned it off at dart block 😂
You mean you don't have an extra $10k laying around? Peasant!
What's really bad is for a few hundred bucks I can feed my 8.4:1 slant six a 300 shot (i have very little ring left) and outrun that chebby for 1/10 the money you guys have into it. Maybe only once but I'd actually be going fast for cheap
CORZER0 LMAO
might as well buy a crate LS3 or LS7 and save a lot of weight too
That's awesome I need one for my truck lol I wish
Easy build nice power great red light runner with a cold air box and couple bolt ons an fun build
If you’ve got a motor shop
Great video - always like the mouse , they really run..REALLY wish there was a price for this build. Lots have asked, lots have had a idea. Would be nice to know the cost, know it isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. Horsepower for bucks. Love the revs. He did smile at the final run.
500 - Dart SHP Block 900 - Molnar crank 600 - Molnar rods 750 - Mahle forged pistons 1600 - AFR 195 cc heads 400 - Crane billet roller cam 320 - Victor Jr intake 300 - MSD distributor 450 - Holley Brawler carb Machine shop ? Misc bolts, gaskets, lube, rings, roller lifters, roller rockers, pushrods, billet timing cover, ATI superdamper, valve covers, waterpump, pulleys??????? Easy... With no "exotic" parts. like fuck................
@@trillrifaxegrindor4411 You are WAY off, even for 3 years ago.
I'm building this exact same engine, but with a few budget-friendly changes - - - Gotta use an all-iron 350 that I have, which will save me THOUSANDS. Porting the heads myself the best I can, I have an old Edelbrock dual-plane manifold from back in the day ( doesn't everybody??) Never had a Chevy rod break, as they're all good to seven grand, Got some flat-tops that might still work, I know how to blueprint the oil pump myself, so the big money is going to be the cam, a rebuild kit for one of my 5 Holleys, and gaskets. I'm expecting 400 Horsepower.
The specs on this motor are less aggressive than the one I just built and mines not 550 horse lol so those AFR heads must be some magic in a box. I’ve heard great things about them.
Great job guys!
Which Cometic head gasket did you use (thickness) and what was your quench measurement? Thanks, awesome engine!!!
If I heard correctly, this was set up as a 400 block. If that's the case it's worth it to go with the aftermarket block.... I've had friends pick up older 400 blocks and went through quite a few to get a decent one. Once the machining work is done and the mains are splayed you're still using a stock 400 block that may or may not hold at that level. The price difference between this and the dart plus you can use OEM roller parts on the dart block make the decision pretty clear to me. That's just me though. Now if you were going after say a vortec 880 block from the 90s... that's different. Thats a solid dime a dozen block to build from. I've got my build sheet set up for a 400 that'll make 500 or so for about 4k in parts and 2k in misc other pieces and work. I'll be building it myself so that saves some coin. The block is where you want to put your money imo. That's just me....
Coast high performance has the best and cheapest 406 short blocks that I have used and haven't ever had a problem.
@@lilibethdoherty295 That's still a decent chunk of change too. But CHP builds pretty excellent engines so... You get what you pay for.
Nice vid. It's easier to stab in a camshaft when you do it before putting in the rotating assembly (put the block on its bellhousing area and you can slide the camshaft in vertically to avoid nicking the bearings, too). It is interesting that for some of us, "exotic" means aftermarket. Some folks could use all OEM parts with Morraine bearings, others are used to "Trick" race stuff that requires dyno tuning to get it to work with multiple cam grinds that change the ignition timing and intakes with spacers and extended walls for the inside cylinders.
I love a 350-400 hp small block, just enough power to have fun are not hurt the pockets
for those who know what they are doing, or watch enough KZhead videos, its easy enough to put together an engine like that with mostly OEM parts (now that folks are selling them cheap to step up to an LS) and the thing about not hurting the pockets, is that some "cheap" 1,000 hp dyno queen needs a brake system to match, cooling system, suspension, U joints, etc....so it ends up not being so cheap. find a later 1970's car or 1980's car to put this engine into, and you get a power-to-weight ratio that is just right for public roads. Meanwhile Mr. "my Ls makes 1,000 hp" is still in the garage getting it all together on his budget.
The LS platform can run a thousand hp with stock internals, seen it more than once, with a single turbo and two factory fuel pumps and double lines one to each fuel rail with a factory reprogrammed ECM, power can be cheap to make if you don't mind getting picked on for being cheap
The LS is a great design, and it has that Y block since it was originally designed in aluminum. its heads flow well, not just due to port size, but the angle of the valve. Ironically, a Pontiac 350 has a similar valve angle and its large crankcase gives it the same benefit as the Y block--atmosphere inside the crankcase doesn't get compressed as much by the pistons (the new shelby block just puts holes in the main webs). It does have its weaknesses, like any block design--such as four bolts rather than the old five bolts per cylinder, often blamed in the Ford pushrod 5.0 for letting head gaskets blow under too much boost. There are folks who can take a junkyard LS with unknown history, and get it to last at 1,000 hp. and there's a lot who haven't had it last more than a few passes on the bumper. there are folks who can get it to make 1,000 hp in a dyno, but they are running 60 degree inlet temps, a 3 inch exhaust that won't fit under an F body and bends that won't fit under a hood, etc. once that engine is installed in a car, the numbers change. The good thing about the design is its two decades old, so people have figured out what OEM oil pan etc works. but if i had a car with a 305 installed, what's cheaper to get 400 hp out of, a Vortec 350 that bolts in and reuses the 305's linkage and oil pan and serpentine belt and AC setup...or an LS that needs a few more parts to fit, and a throttle by wire gas pedal to work the factory EFI, and.... but again, those who grew up knowing only the LS, have a leg up on getting that swap to work in a car. and as always there are the builders who claim big numbers, yet can't come up with any time slips....:)
Man wish i had that for my 58 chev pickup you want to swap some texas bbq for it lol sounds good guys hats off to yall
I clicked on this when it had 666 views. I figured it must be a beast. LOL I give it a thumbs up !!
A beast for $10K+... can do similar Gen. 1 for $1K...
I wish more people could have there dyno sound set up like this,sounds sweet.
Great job, good power
Nice shop ! 😍 horsepower
You boys crack me up. Dart block forged stroker crank h beam rods roller cam AFR heads on and on. Literally a engine built totally from aftermarket parts. Easy? Sure, with a unlimited budget and lots of background in engine building + a convenient machine shop oh and a dyno. Easy???? LOL!!!! Come on...
Gerald Kesselring I agree
Yes, but it sounds good, and calling those parts everyday and not exotic is stretching it, still a sound build. What about header sizes and collector length and diameter?, not a low cost build.
Mike S. Nice Article Thanks For The Link 😀😊😀
Built my first engine, almost the same as this one, in my garage at home. Did everything but bore the cylinders myself. Its a SBC, there's more than enough info on internet alone. I cant think of an easier platform to start on.
Yeah, $10,000.00+ plus isn't so "easy" on the wallet... I can do similar for about $1,000... or less...
I built this engine almost exactly except it was a 327 and I had 13K in it In 1999.
Fn screamer huh?!
Friends did this back in the 90's.
A budget build would he awesome to see. Maybe even that could except different power adders possibly. I love this engine though 😍 it doesn't scream... it howls! Hot damn it sounds amazing
Beautiful. I need "two"! One for the living room, and one for my 98 k1500 chevy of which I'll leave the hood off of!! just sayin
Enjoyed the video & watching the process very much thanks. I'm a WIndsor head in Aussie 67 & 68 Fairmonts. Would love to see a build for strong reliable street horsepower BUT using original 302W FoMoCo block & heads. Be interesting to see what they could produce in original form, but machined & opened up with quality internals? Or would it be very limited / tame? I'm thinking like doing an era rebuild as if it's in the late 60's early 70's & using era available parts? cold be a fun project? cheers.
Plain and simple HELL YEAH!
Thanks!
I want an engine like this to drop into a '70-72 Nova, something prostreetish but not a full restomod. Very inspiring to watch a video of a very good build.
slowly getting into GM myself, but still stuck in the sixties.
It is as easy as 123!!! if your over whelmed just get anything with a EFI 5.0 old school ford with a good tune it is a cheap blast!
made this combo back in 2010, except on a 383 and with 10.7:1 compression. similar power numbers.
...me too!
Love the pro Bal balancer
Nice job guys
"smart part selection" sums up any build perfectly - figure out what one wants to achieve, and on what fuel, and build for the torque and rpm balance required. What I REALLY like is you guys, and your customer, sticking to the 'old school' SB rather than taking the generic LS/LT crate option that is SO boring!
Well... they may be boring but the engineering of the LS platform is far superior for stress and heat dissipation. In this (excellent) build they just used extremely strong parts to overcome both of those.
So all I need is a dedicated fresh AC vent for my intake!
NaqoyqatZ Hahaha I love it !! I was thinking the same thing
that helps
i approve of the manner he uses to install the rod bolts with a spinner handle. i do not like to see power tools used doing that. a power tool does not feel a burr or nic that makes tight threads. a spinner handle allows to feel for that.
557 kicks a lots of asses. Supercars Territories
Mad power. I would of liked to see a bigger camshaft in it
He was concerned with longevity.
You can't beat experience........!
An easy cheap build they say, and then a super nice aftermarket Dart block is the foundation. Then they bust out Molnar rods, Mahle pistons, and a really really nice Forged Molnar crankshaft. This isn’t cheap, it is a real nice build, but people will just keep snatching up those good old truck 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 gen III & gen IV LSX builds and throw a boost cam and an S480 china choo choo boi turbski on them and boosting the bags off them instead of throwing a nice well thought out & clearances details paid attention to. Mr. Dorton is an excellent builder and when I seen he was building this beast I automatically knew it wasn’t gonna be something cheap. He is one of my favorite engine builders, my others are John Kaase and Tony Bischoff from BES
some will argue the way he puts the piston rings on can bend or otherwise cause issues, and they should be spread apart and slid over. I'd suggest it's easier to drop the camshaft in before the crankshaft, with the block sitting on its bellhousing and letting gravity help out. You can reach in and grease up the camshaft while you're there, so everything stays inside the block. but, great video and good point about using the grease on the crank mains to show how the bearings are doing before buttoning it all up.
I can build a 355 sbc with vortec heads a 268 split cam 112 overlap for torque 400 HP 2000$ long live SBC!
Lilibeth Doherty hello
400 ft poynds
Have that cam ground on a 108 split and you gain as much as 30tq in the mid-range......
May I ask, which is better? Small blocks because they are cheaper but can make good power after some mods. Or a big block that has power out the box already?
I can get an LS out of a truck for $500 and put a $100 cam in it to get 400hp. All you gen II chevy people need to give it up already
you should try to get an approximate price for the builds! Great video!
I was just wondering this too.
20k
That sounds strong.
ITS GOING TO BE A HANDFUL IN THAT LIGHT CAR.
From what I have learned the cylinder heads right out of the box should be machined to insure the valves seat properly.
Maybe not recut the heads, but you are right. You should at least vacuum check all the valves and seats. That was done here and everything was fine. That's why I mentioned that the heads are like they were right out of the box. Vacuum checked and verified, but nothing has been machined or changed. Thanks for watching.
My dart pro series, the seats were way out of spec. You could tell where he started on the cnc and as you got to the back they were out of concentric .008 or so. I will never buy assembled heads again.
Yeah, and carbs should have the float levels set out of the box. Check the float levels on your carbs before you install them, because they're wrong more often than they're right.
"Speed is just a matter of money. How fast do you want to go?"
Dart isnt exotic, all this stuff can be bought from places like summit or jegs,, exotic chev parts are made in the U,K believe it or not.
So the top hat is what you need to raise the horse power! Tried it in the garage it does work! So far received 4 tickets and wrecked 7 cars and 2 semi' s! They keep flying off! Maded them like 15 foot high, real light like 20 lbs. Just can't keep them on the car! Everything is done in the engine like the video said! The judge said he did the same but no top hat! He wants to talk to you guys! Just kidding! Great video
A hot rod book said to me " you can leave off that bolt at the end of the crank, for that harmonic balance thingy" I did. It's heavy. It slid back and forth and I had to remove the crankshaft. It was spun balanced. I left the pistons in and got the crank out and had it flame welded on the balancer end and turned to the right diameter and never took that short cut again. 550hp +/-@7800rpm.