Thread: New Member with SBC Question

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Guys, I have a 67 Nova... about 3000 lbs. At present it has a low power 327 non-matching numbers. I'm wanting to replace the 327 with a stronger chevy crate engine. The problem is deciding how much power it can handle on the street. This car is NOT a daily driver, and NOT a strip car either.
I guess you would call it a street cruiser and local car show attendee. The problem is not having stop light to stop light power to keep the Mustang and ricer boys in rear view mirror,(sorry ford guys.
My Nova has a 10 bolt rearend with Richmond 373 gears, a pro-built TH350 with 256 first gear, new stock front end and new Competition Engineering Slide-A-Link in the rear end.
Which size crate engine would work best for me... 355, 383, 406, or a 421 chevy? My budget tops out at about $7,000. Thanks in advance for any info. and/or opinions. Steve Largo, Fl.

P.S. Car has a 3000 stall converter too.

The 383 is a tough combination to beat when looking at power per dollar. With the right heads and valve train they can produce some very respectable numbers.... You didn't say if you have them or not, but with the added power a stroker engine makes it would also be good to tie the unibody together with some frame ties and maybe a 6 point roll bar. No reason to have a bunch of horsepressure if you can't hook it up...

67 Nova, I have been a owner of a 1966 nova since 1988. The car will handle the power. The problem i had with High HP in my car is that the Front suspension, and Brakes are not good enough for high speed. So if you have the ability to not go to fast, then no problem. However, i know i dont. Upgrading the front suspension is on my " to do " list. I stopped driving mine about 13 years ago when my son was born, and it scared the hell out of me at about 110 mph. ( no he wasnt in the car with me ) Looking back on it i would have started with the suspension/ brake upgrade, and then went to the High HP. but those cars sure haul ass with a little power.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

The 383 is a tough combination to beat when looking at power per dollar.

Not that tough, a 400 built the same will spank it.

i built headers for two of the chevyII with big blocks in them .i will not get in to all the cutting .with stock front ends?? i would not trust the old front end like said .so i would do up date on it anyway you go

Originally Posted by viking

Not that tough, a 400 built the same will spank it.

Yes,it might but it is not nearly as dependable.

Originally Posted by erik erikson

Yes,it might but it is not nearly as dependable.

So you're saying a bigger bore is less dependable

Originally Posted by viking

So you're saying a bigger bore is less dependable

Do we really have to go down the old 400 sbc road again??
Siamesed cylinders,thin walls, bad rod angles un-less you go 5.7 or 6.0.

Originally Posted by erik erikson

Do we really have to go down the old 400 sbc road again??
Siamesed cylinders,thin walls, bad rod angles un-less you go 5.7 or 6.0.

No need to rerun it for me, I'm starting to love all the mis-information, leads to cheap 400 blocks on the market, thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by viking

No need to rerun it for me, I'm starting to love all the mis-information, leads to cheap 400 blocks on the market, thanks for the help.

Mis-information???
How where you mis-informed??

oh No Not A 400?? Just Go RighT To A 496. hold on ERIK now were is that dead horse ?get your club if you do not have one i have one you can use i think i left it by a gear drive

I am afraid this is going to turn into the same thing as the old gear drive post.

ERIK check my #12 post lets start a only slat 6 form i was shopping to day did see a nice alum ladder but past on it needed a new mop and a mop bucket RUBBER MAID just like the way that sounds

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

oh No Not A 400?? Just Go RighT To A 496. hold on ERIK now were is that dead horse ?get your club if you do not have one i have one you can use i think i left it by a gear drive

Oh,Denny can you please post the picture of the little guy beating the "dead horse"?