396 Big Block Chevy combo options

[camster]

Any advice would be appreciated. Getting ready to make a decsion. Have a 69 396 block 2 bolt mains. Heads are large oval port open chamber. Edelbrock performer intake. Holley 750. MSD Ignition. I bought a 69 Camaro with this engine in it. Don't know any other details. Without tearing engine down, it appears that previous owner wanted a 69 date coded 396 to make his SS Clone. My guess from what I see is that nothing was done to engine except a fresh orange paint job with a cam kit. It does have Comp roller rockers. The $30 K question I have is - based on this info, am I crazy to think i can convert this engine into a low budget 396 pushing 500 hp or should I save for a crate motor. I will be using this engine for street use with pump gas. I am building a fairly stock looking 69 Camaro SS clone with a muncie 4spd and about 3:55 gears. I want a dependable but bumpy sounding car. Any thoughts? My 1st posting to this site. Love this site. i'm hooked!!

[cepx111]

Welcome to the forum!


Well if it were me I would pass on the 396 build and use your existing heads with a 454 block and save the date/code correct 396 block, they aren't getting any easier to find and 454 blocks can be had with ease.

500HP with pump gas using a 454 block wouldnt be a problem.

I'm not a cam guy but I'm gonna throw this out there anyway ( be easy on me guys)

Healthy bumpstick with around 550ish lift - 290-300 duration, about 10.5 to 11-1 compression, good single plane intake, 850 Holley double pumper carb, with some good "worked" oval port heads, that should get you real close.

Cp

[camster]

Thanks for the advice. That is what I was thinking. Any other thoughts, ideas,?

[signsbyesa]

i have never built a bbc but read about the 396, and wonder why
this block out of the factory came with 11 to 1 comp. on pump gas,
this was using a short stroke, and it came with closed chamber heads,
again, premium back then was racing fuel. the hspwr was close to 400
but cepx is right, you would get to 500 quicker with a 454, my first
bbc is a 496, which im building now, and its my first bb, but that
396 built to factory specs and then using a bigger cam, it would
work nice on a daily driver, good luck bud :wink:

[Scooterz]

Just an idea here.. what about using a 454 block & 396 crank w/ a solid lifter cam about like CP said... all roller... keep the heads- port & polish... 10:5 to 11:1 pistons, single plane int, 850-950 cfm... etc... get some extra R's & twist it like a small block? Run good electronics & flow through some 1 & 7/8" or 2" quality headers... 450-500Hp & revs like a mouse.

BTW: Welcome to the forum!!! Scooter

[oldandtired]

Just an idea here.. what about using a 454 block & 396 crank w/ a solid lifter cam about like CP said... all roller... keep the heads- port & polish... 10:5 to 11:1 pistons, single plane int, 850-950 cfm... etc... get some extra R's & twist it like a small block? Run good electronics & flow through some 1 & 7/8" or 2" quality headers... 450-500Hp & revs like a mouse.

BTW: Welcome to the forum!!! Scooter

Can you say L-88 type motor?

[Tod74]

Just an idea here.. what about using a 454 block & 396 crank w/ a solid lifter cam about like CP said... all roller... keep the heads- port & polish... 10:5 to 11:1 pistons, single plane int, 850-950 cfm... etc... get some extra R's & twist it like a small block? Run good electronics & flow through some 1 & 7/8" or 2" quality headers... 450-500Hp & revs like a mouse.

BTW: Welcome to the forum!!! Scooter

that would be a 427, as I'm sure you already know. I'm with Charlie.If you are gonna stack 200lbs on the nose of the car might as well get the full benefit and stick a 454 in it.

[zipper06]

Keep/sell the date coded 396" motor, take the manifold and carb off and tape it up. It's worth about $5,000.00 to someone building a correct 69 Camero. That motor would be a 325hp with the big round eye heads if everything else is correct. You can build one hellva street pump gas 454/468 motor for $5,000.00. I built a 468" pump gas short blk for less than $2,000.00 last yr. that's pushing a 66 Biscyne @ 3700lbs minus 200lb driver to 10.40@129mph on motor and [email protected] with a 250 shot. You actually have a gold ticket on your hands, just make sure you check/tear down the motor to make sure all is good before you attempt to sell it. We see every week in the scammer section about people who sell motors that say that what i was told.

JMO

Zip.

[burnskustomz]

Only way to get the HP your wanting is to get a corvette engine there all the rage around here seems like my moms nissan has one and I think even a few mini vans have been sporting them also. :lol: :lol: Jk but I agree with the others just go with a 454 and get your full potential out of the boat anchor up front. IMO

[markdunlap]

I vote for a 454 block with a 496 stroker rotating assembly.

[Tod74]

Yeah if you are gonna build a 396 you might as well just build a 632" big Chief motor.

[camster]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. All the local motor heads I talk to offer the same advice as most of you guys did. So far, gonna wrap the 396 and put it in my basement. Found a complete Mark IV 454 2 bolt mains but with good heads (781s) for about $500. And saving $$ for a 632 for my next project that sits in my garage (67 Chevelle) if I don't sell it 1st.