I'm hoping to get someones help, hopefully help from experience. I did post on this earlier, but now I have a more concrete route I want to go, to get to the 500 HP mark...no boost no juice.

500 is just a benchmark, I'd ideally like to run flat 12's in an 81 camaro,stock weight, retain decent mileage, and some reliability to drive on the weekednds 50 miles to the track on PUMP GAS

WELL, I am buying the short block from a friend. It's got 12.5:1 compression,

This block was machined 2 seasons ago very well, zero decked, I dunno what else, because HE had it done. But I know he paid an arm and a leg, had it blueprinted etc.

its obiously a 383 (actually a 385ish, bored .040 over), 5.7" rods

I will replace the pistons with forged flat tops to achieve roughly 10.0 or 10.5 compression. Can I go higher and still run pump gas?


the cam is 250.260 and .533/.555 @ .050. Not sure about lash or lsa, i'll ask him for the card on the cam if he has it. Its a solid flat tappett.

Heads are up in the air. DEFINATELY want AFR's, not sure on 195's or 210's, any suggestions?

Dart, single plane intake

holley 750 cfm , mech secondary(im assuming, havent bought one yet to replace my 650, any sugg?)


msd ignition, mech water pump, new edelbrock fuel pump (cant remember spec,more than sufficient tho)


I want to run pump fuel, no doubt. But I want to get close to 500, and YES, to pad my ego. :-). Or say, 380-400 rwhp :-).

I was thinking of using a 3200 rpm stall tc i have, but i hear i may need a higher stall?

built th-350 with shift kit

3.42 rear end, posi (not a good match with the cam?)

1 3/4" headers to 2 1/2" pipe, thru 2 flowmasters no x or h pipe

What more info can I provide? any suggestions?

Desktop Dyno shows 425 hp. seems kinda low.
How are these companies making 515 hp on 93, with afr 195's, 9.5:1 compression etc? (AFR,CHEVY HI-PERF) With a much more tame came.

thanks!