Hi, this looks like a gr8 forum. This is my first post here. Thanks in advance for help with a couple of questions for you sbc guys. Apologies for the length.

THE CAR:
Nearing finish (hoping to make Good Guys Ft Worth in March or NSRA OKC in April) of a 108" wb, aprox 2000# fat (I widened it so I could actually sit in it instead of on it) 23 T. It is low budget but quality built using rectangular and round tube. Has non-power, adjustable proportion and residual valve 4 w/disc brakes and unisteer cross rack on split wishbone suicide front end. Will add a front sway bar to be figured out and rigged if I can do it without it being too ugly.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION:
Helped the budget with a 70k mile 350sbc GM factory crate motor replacement and 20K mile rebult 700R from a $500 ratty donor 88 2wd Chev Suburban my buddy split for parts. The TBI would be ugly on an open engine car so it will go away. Don't know how to make it work anyway.

GEARS:
Rear tires are 33" tall on an overdrive car, so we changed 3.27 to 4.10 gears. Rear is a 28 spline 8.8 trac lock from a Mustang GT donor. Rear suspension is a long arm triangulated 4 bar with coilovers and a sprint car style torsion sway bar. Est rpm at 70 mph is 2050, if my math is correct; 41 mph at 5500 in the 700R stump puller first gear, 126 mph @ 5500in third (a good 1/4 mile trap speed potential) and save the o'drive for cruising. Will probably stay with the stock or near stock stall converter (switchable lock-up) because of desired cruise rpm.

USE:
Gonna highway short - med trips, city cruise and rod run it plus lump around making gawdawful noise, setting off burglar alarms, terrifying old ladys and the faint of heart with 1 3/4 into 3.5 collector open headers at slow speeds at car shows. It will see occasional trips to the drag strips - would be happy if it does the above and runs in the mid 11s without breaking parts. It has an NHRA 135mph/10.50 legal roll bar (side and rear bars but no connectors to a front hoop)and wheelie bars. Might even see slaloms (with appropriate tire/wheels). I have fantasies that it will be docile, be terrifyingly fast when the loud pedal is pushed hard, yet actually stop and go around corners!http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/ima...ies/icon10.gif

QUESTIONS:
1. I am assuming the engine has good torque but not much HP? Are the heads worth keeping?

2. Any idea what the compression ratio is?

3. Is this a GEN 1 or II? Will GEN 1 intakes fit? I have GEN 1 Performer and Performer RPM intakes & a 750 Edelbrock carb. Prefer a Weiand (spl?) Stealth (have one with a 750dp on a 388 stroker/700R/3.89 geared 79 Corvette). Also have an MSD Pro bIllet (8365) and 1 3/4 primary into 3.5 collector headers and noisy gear drive for it. Stole the wife's debit and credit cards and cracked the piggy banks so I am ready to buy the rest.

4. I am thinking 350 HP@ flywheel @ 2200 lbs with driver, fuel etc, should just get there? 375 to 400 HP would be great, but probably costly and not needed?

5. So what is the the best, reasonable cost way to get this basic engine/trans/gear (have 14.5x32x15 slicks) to the mid 11's and still be an ez crusier (back on the Mickeys)?

6. I like the sound of Comp Cams Thumper or Mutha Humper and noisy gear drive. According to comp cams it is good on the street, and has good HP, torque and vacuum (latter not a concern). Without a lot more stall the "Big Bad Mutha Thumper" would be useless/ The Mutha Thumper is probably to
- The Anyone use it and like or dislike it?
- If it is not good for this project, what would be the best choice?

7. Last and a weird tangent, Ebay has listed polished twin T3/4 hybird with adjustable (5 to 35 psi) waste gate, intercooler, oil cooler and header kits in the $1200 to 2000 range (about my budget for improving the engine)
They look pretty complete except for carb hat. They would look incredible..http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif. and if this engine is a low compression.... well, I am just thinking here...http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/ima...s/rolleyes.gif


Suggestions, experiences, answers on these (or anything else about the above, please! Yes, I am already receiving mental health counselling for AADD and the other stuff you are thinking...

Hey, no kidding, thanks again...!!!