Thread: Building a 396 -- Pistons??

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I have a 396 that I built a few years back. It has open chamber heads casting (3999241). It currently has Keith Black KB160 pistons (-17cc this only gives me about 8.5:1 compression). I have never been happy with the performance if this engine and am thinking of pulling it to install TRW L2242F30 (-38.3cc) pistons in it. Does anyone know if I will have a problem with the pistons hitting the heads. I know these are closed chamber pistons but they give me the approx static compression ratio I'm looking for (about 10.4:1). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

should be check but i think them heads have a dog leg by the EX valve them heads should be ok

Thanks for your reply Pat!
I do have another question or two...I'm fairly new to big blocks (I've built lots of small blocks) so i don't know much about these heads. I do know they are 113cc, open chamber, and oval port. Are they any good? Also I'm running an Edelbrock Performer 2.0 intake and cam. Is there anything else I should be doing to this motor to put out 400+hp other than changing the pistons? Is changing the pistons necessary or is there something else I should be doing instead. Like I said I'm running about 8.5:1 compression now. This car (1967 Camaro Convertible) is only driven in the summer months, on nice days. How high of compression can I run on pump gas (92 octane) Again, I appreciate any advice.

well here a set of them heads i used on a 040 over 402. i have used sets in the past they work good this set here have been rework a bit how much cam ?

The cam I used is the performer plus; it has .500 lift on the intake and exhaust. The duration at .006 lift is 292 intake and 302 exhaust. Duration at .050 lift is 218 intake and 228 exhaust.

well what are you looking for on power band ? you may want to bump up the dur just a wee bit whats the cam ground on ?

Power band...This is a car that I enjoy on the street; I rarely go over 6500 RPM and usually stay under 6000. I want this motor to feel like a big block and put my head in the seat on occasion. I'm not sure what you mean by "what's the cam ground on". It was purchased new a few years back when I built this motor the first time. When I first built this motor the guy who I've known for years did the machine work and originally talked me out of going with the L2242F30 pistons. He suggested that I stay around 9-9.5:1 compression. What I ended up with is about 8.5:1 because I chose to go with open chamber heads.

well if i built and machine your engine i would have talk you in to a hyd roller cam . car that is some what heavy and most of the time under 6000 and some low rpm? i am thinking you not wanting a hi stall and alot of gear ? what its ground on is the LC like112 110 108 .if a hyd flat lifter cam would look at a cam at 530 to 550 lift and 230/230 Dur on a 110 or 108 lc that would be about as big as i would go on dur at this point with out knowing to much about your trans stall and gear here is a cam ilike for your build 228/228 542/542 lc111. this as 2500/5500 if your looking for no stall 1800/5250 220/228 542/542 lc110

Is there a cam you would recommend that would get me that? Would I need to change my intake too. Since I will be pulling the engine to change pistons to increase my compression it would be an ideal time to change a few other things. Would the performer RPM a better manifold for me? Currently I'm running a Turbo 350 and 3:08 gears in the rear. I do plan on changing the rear end gears to either 3.55 or 3.73 and eventually a M21 4 speed.

two cams i listed will work with your intake the last cam will work better as your car is now. but more gear like 3.50/3.70 will work better with both cams. them are hyd flat cam .if you go roller then the lift can go up abit and go so will the rpm abit

Thanks for your help Pat!