Some of the early eighties big blocks were down well below 300 horses. Even some of the nicer and more collectible big blocks, like the 454SS trucks were only about 250 hp. A nice easy to drive 454 should have about 400 hp and lots of torque.

 

Your right , I was just trying to make a point about how easy it is to make power with a big block ! About the only ones to avoid is the small peanut port truck motors of late70s - 80. Even these heads can be built to support 400 + hp and a ton of torque but there are better choices.

 

I'm restoring a 65 Pontiac Tempest convertible, its got the stock 326, but I'm going to yank it out and put in a built Pontiac 455. Should be a pretty nice sleeper. I might convert it into a GTO clone, haven't decided.

 

I just went and looked at a pretty nice 65 nova wagon. It is your average six cylinder powerglide car, but seems to be very nice. It is old man owned, with no missing pieces. He is still driving it along with an '80's caprice wagon. I have seen some pretty cool wagons lately. Right now it is two tone turquiose and white. If I could get it cheap, it could be a great cruiser with a 355, TH350, and nice wheels. Any Ideas?

 

1990 models where even less! My Brother-In-Law has a (stock) 90 454SS and yuck it is so weak my 4.0 Explorer will out run it! However with some heads and intake watch out!

Like has already been stated the Big Blocks are kind of like a 2-Stroke ATV or a Turbocharged car, small mods make a HUGE difference.

 

Very nice! Love them old Novas.

 

I have a 68 ford F100 that had a 521 stroker big block. The engine has now found its way into a 79 4x4 for mudding. The ol' 68 is now sporting a healthy 429.

If anyone is interested in the cutlass and regals, you should buy them now. Every junk yard I know of is now crushing this series of cars. They aren't selling any parts off of them so they are just taking up space. In a few years, these cars will be hard to find.

Edit: The 521 was a mild motor running a Scat billet crank, Oliver 6.8" rods, JE pistons, FRPP cobrajet heads (2.25, 1.76 vavles), FRPP intake, C&S dominator, custom billet solid roller cam, Motorsport rockers, 700+hp

The 429 is a 1968 thunderbird motor with 120,000 miles on it. It has the stock crank, stock rods, even the orginal stock pistons that came out in it. The heads are the orginal heads that came on it (C8VE) that I ported and they still have the stock size valves (2.09, 1.65). The extra motovation from this engine comes from the 294S flat solid Comp cam, Motorsport rockers, PBM springs, the OFFY intake, and the C&S 800 aresol carb. The 3200 stall and 4.11 with spool don't hurt things. I have outran my friend's truck that has posted 8 flat times in the 1/8. I have never took it with either engine to the track. So I can't say what either engine could do. I do know that desk top dyno claims 500 from the 429, but I don't think it is making it.

 

Very nice Nova indeed.

 

Lots ! If it a 1965 Nova make sure all the front end trim is there. These are a ONE YEAR ONLY design, none of the other years will interchange. The headlight buckets, grill, trim rings, eyebrows, supports, front bumper and hood latches are unique to 65, so is all the trim on the tail gate and lights.

Just some of the little peices bring HUNDREDS of dollars on ebay. I see 65 Novas with 62-64 front ends all the time, parts are cheaper and most of these are being reproduced.


Since the small block was an option you can drop one in very easy but you have to use some dedicated NOVA swap parts as inthe front sump oil pan, pump and pick up, frame mounts and exhaust manifolds( headers are a great option)
You can also use a special rear sump pan from the after market.

Here the 427 before it was dropped in. ( 433 realy)
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...ictures003.jpg