Thread: Max Performance SBC For $3000.00

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I'm not a big fan of "How To" books because they are normally written by a writer that takes a lot of magazine articles and puts them together. On the other hand, there are some good how to's on some things. I'm just a bit leery sometimes.

That said, I got David Vizard's book "How to build max performance sbc on a budget" and read it cover to cover twice. I like his statement " I don't have an opioin, I have a dyno." He specs his cams like I learned years ago from some old engine builders at a speed/engine shop I worked at.

Has anybody else read this book? I would like to know what others thought of it. Give some opinions and reviews.

10 thumbs up!!!

Excellent book. Anybody serious about building sb Chevy's should own it (and read it).

i own it and i'm currently reading it. I've read from the front cover to about 1/2 way into the crankshaft section of it. I'd have to give it 10 thumbs up as well. I've got another book called "How to build small block chevy for the street" and it's got a lot of good information in it. I'm planning to read both of the books and compare them. David Vizard has a lot of very good information that is proven. A++ in my grade book.

Originally posted by camaro_fever68
I'm not a big fan of "How To" books because they are normally written by a writer that takes a lot of magazine articles and puts them together. On the other hand, there are some good how to's on some things. I'm just a bit leery sometimes.

That said, I got David Vizard's book "How to build max performance sbc on a budget" and read it cover to cover twice. I like his statement " I don't have an opioin, I have a dyno." He specs his cams like I learned years ago from some old engine builders at a speed/engine shop I worked at.

Has anybody else read this book? I would like to know what others thought of it. Give some opinions and reviews.

The reason you are a bit leery is because you hit the nail on the head.They are only people's opinions.I tried about 20 years ago the same ideas.I have found it is almost always better to go out on your own with ideas.

I wouldn't classify a $3000 small block in the "max performance" category.

I get to play with 9000+ rpm, 750+ hp (no power adders) small blocks (up to 441 cu in) on a regular basis... you can't build that for $3000. Try $30,000!

I have that book and I thought it was well written, although I liked Smokey Yunick's Power Secrets better. Maybe because of the way it was worded, most of the information was the same.

Originally posted by BigEasy
I wouldn't classify a $3000 small block in the "max performance" category.

I get to play with 9000+ rpm, 750+ hp (no power adders) small blocks (up to 441 cu in) on a regular basis... you can't build that for $3000. Try $30,000!

BigEasy, you missing the concept. He isn't going max performance for any engine with unlimited funds. He is showing how to get maximum horse power for a $3000.00 budget.

don't slam that book unless you've read it from cover to cover. He's not talking about using a 441 cui block. He shows you how to build the max performance out of the common blocks such as 350 and 400 and making variations of that using stroke.

Also the man isn't talking about MAX PERFORMANCE, he's talking about MAX PERFORMANCE ON A BUDGET. He shows people how to build the most power for the money that they have, not everybody is lucky enough to have 30,000 dollars to throw down in a motor.

I can't even remember the last engine I built for $3,000.It is all about engine evolution.You get 450 then 500 h.p. then you want more and more.You find yourself buying better and better parts.HORSEPOWER is a drug and you can't get enough.I have found this to be true over the years.15 years ago $3000 would get you a good I.M.C.A. modified engine.Today you will have that or more in your short block.I have lost track of what a really good street engine is.The last blown 540 that I built for myself cost more than my tow vehicle.A little more than $35,000.Why you ask because I can.Maybe I should see a shrink.I think I have totally lost track of reality.

Originally posted by BigEasy
I wouldn't classify a $3000 small block in the "max performance" category.

I get to play with 9000+ rpm, 750+ hp (no power adders) small blocks (up to 441 cu in) on a regular basis... you can't build that for $3000. Try $30,000!

Just so u are not confused,here we go!!!
swap meet block 4 bolt .030 over,9.000 deck height.forged ross pistons,10.1 compression,factory forged crank-0.020used 5.7 crower rods,stock reworked oil pump,moroso pan,crane cam 113801,crane lifters,1.6 intake rockers,1.5 exaust rockers,isky pushrods,roller timing chain,041s ported for n2o usebronze guids ,screw in studs and flat milled,vic jr intake ,with plate nitros kit,holley 750,re worked to a 830,k&n filter,hei with msd module ,20 deg total timing with nitros,msd wires and walker 1 3/4 headers with 18 inch collector extentions ,open exaust.!!!!!!parts $2500,labor $544 ,total price $3000.775 hp and about 650 ftlbs of torque ,now lets step it up another $1000 bucks and add a port injected n2o ,a 3 stage rev limiter and for $4000 we are at 890 hp and about650 ft lbs of torque ,soo for 4 grand looks like the 30,000 dollar motor u have will be several car lengths behind in the game!! ,this is directly from ol vizzard himself!!and just because I can already here the replies ,it was run on the dyno for the equivelent of 80 passes 1/4 mile passes!! then torn down and inspected and it still looked just fine!!!

Originally posted by shawnlee28
Just so u are not confused,here we go!!!
swap meet block 4 bolt .030 over,9.000 deck height.forged ross pistons,10.1 compression,factory forged crank-0.020used 5.7 crower rods,stock reworked oil pump,moroso pan,crane cam 113801,crane lifters,1.6 intake rockers,1.5 exaust rockers,isky pushrods,roller timing chain,041s ported for n2o usebronze guids ,screw in studs and flat milled,vic jr intake ,with plate nitros kit,holley 750,re worked to a 830,k&n filter,hei with msd module ,20 deg total timing with nitros,msd wires and walker 1 3/4 headers with 18 inch collector extentions ,open exaust.!!!!!!parts $2500,labor $544 ,total price $3000.775 hp and about 650 ftlbs of torque ,now lets step it up another $1000 bucks and add a port injected n2o ,a 3 stage rev limiter and for $4000 we are at 890 hp and about650 ft lbs of torque ,soo for 4 grand looks like the 30,000 dollar motor u have will be several car lengths behind in the game!! ,this is directly from ol vizzard himself!!and just because I can already here the replies ,it was run on the dyno for the equivelent of 80 passes 1/4 mile passes!! then torn down and inspected and it still looked just fine!!!

I hate to break it to you but there is no way a stock 350 4- bolt block will hold 890 hp.That is nothing but a bomb.It is not if it is when will it blow.Factory forged crank?041 heads?I smell poop.Who is confused?Do you believe everything you read?

Oh sure, now you add a big shot of nitrous and change the whole equation.... Not saying it won't make 775 hp, but I sure have seen a lot of these bottle rockets spit parts out the pan. I'm sure 775hp and 80 passes sells a lot of books, but I would say it is certainly not the norm....

With that little bit of labor he must have done all the porting, etc. himself. Most guys don't have a flow bench to do this. Bronze guides, boring, honing, zero decking and milling would eat up most if not all of the labor. I guess if you have your very own fully equipped machine shop and didn't count that as part of the total labor charge it could be done. Who's motor shop does this guy run, anyway???

Curious to see how long these motors last, most of these fairy tales start with once upon a time.......

Dave,I was a smart ass again.I am trying to quit but I can't.Sorry if I was a little smart ass to everyone.I tend to jump the gun when I hear crap like this.I must learn to express myself better.

Yup, me too. Just hate to see everyone think they cam make a 775 horse small block with junk yard parts that is going to live!!! Maybe I'm wrong, too. I'd sure like to be there to see the dyno runs!!!! Plus the number of guys who put the same combination together and say they have 775 horse!!!!!