• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

oldschool build ideas

i guess i did know that but didnt think of it when i think of usiing and ls i think fuel injection automatically but still comes down to what i can find for the right cost
 


Top fuel funny cars on based on your "old technology." I don't see LS1 based motors making 8,000 horsepower. You can mismatch parts and still make 500 horsepower out of a BBC. ( cam too big, compression too low, etc) Carbureted v8's may not knock down the mileage an LS1 can, but they certainly still have their place.


LS1 in one of those cars...screw old motors with old technology.
 
Top fuel funny cars on based on your "old technology." I don't see LS1 based motors making 8,000 horsepower. You can mismatch parts and still make 500 horsepower out of a BBC. ( cam too big, compression too low, etc) Carbureted v8's may not knock down the mileage an LS1 can, but they certainly still have their place.

for someone building a 'cruiser' and not a drag car, i see zero need for a big block.
 
im considering all options but mainly being my first oldschool build im doing this one as a cruiser i mean hp isnt my first concern
 
Hard to beat a BB Chevy with decent heads with anything else for the $$$. Heads are the key, and the BB does'nt disappoint. The blocks are super beefy, even the two bolt mains, most can be bored to .100 over (allows many rebuilds). The only penalty is the weight. Any of the cars you listed will swallow a BB no problem. Hell, I've seen them put in Fiero's.

Bang for buck = Rat motor
 


Actually, hot rod did a nice build on a 350 with an old iron lung on it and made pretty good HP for not much $, but then again thats why most people build a GM SB. Low $ investment, good HP/$ and several different ways to build it, but 0 that haven't been done already.
 


That Malibu looks nice. Not crazy about the 70 Lemans. '68 and '69 had the nice nose, but I wouldn't be able to bring myself to put anything in either of those except a Pontiac powerplant - that's just me, though:th_winking:
 
Top fuel funny cars on based on your "old technology."

I don't know where the hell you hang out at, but if you say pro cars are using "old technology", you have no clue what you're looking at...

Although I'm not a big Olds fan, that's the only one I'd choose, the other body styles I was never fond of.
 
69 nova blown 383 turbo 400
1970 c10 572 bb
70 cutlass 455 big cam


Ok so the gtp is only a couple parts away from finished that menas ill get bored and i need a new toy so heres what im thinking

Oldschool
70-71 monte carlo
69-71 cutlass
69-72 nova
67-71 chevy c10

engine choice
383 stroker big cam
454 big cam
455 if olds
or something like a 502 or some crazy ****

i figure ill do the engine first then trans
then find the car to put it in
 


yea more think about it I wanna go the fuel injected route (this is where people get mad) but honestly it doesnt limit me Im just holding off till im working and will have the cash and be able to do a cleaner build and not be a douche that drives a primered oldschool for years
 
Well I hang out at a couple forums, and you're a dick on both of them. The hemi design and roots blower are technology that came over out 60 years ago. Last time I checked Top Fuel cars still run a Hemispherical combustion chamber and roots blowers. Are they identicle to the original design? Hell no. But they're still based off of the original designs. Maybe you missed the "based off" in my post. My point was that the big blocks are not obsolete.

To the OP. I have a pretty healthy 388 sbc in my project car. I wish I would've gone big block now. It depends on what power level you're looking for. If you want anything above 400 horse, you're better off going big block. A 450 horse 454 is going to be much milder than a 383 at the same power level. You'll also have much more to work with if you decide to go further with your build. You can score a 455 or 454 core for 500-600 bucks if you watch craigslist.



I don't know where the hell you hang out at, but if you say pro cars are using "old technology", you have no clue what you're looking at...

Although I'm not a big Olds fan, that's the only one I'd choose, the other body styles I was never fond of.
 
my buddys got a built 383 with afr heads in his 65 chevy and that thing is nasty
but the heads alone were like as much as my gtp engine build lol

when i start ill more then likely get the motor built then build the trans then find a car to put it in
 
350 that made 390hp on dyno for $2,600.

Ended up with 9.8 to 1 comp and can use 87 octane.

To get high Compression by changing the pistons to Flat top pistons was $520 with millling the block for an additional $175. Compression would of went from 9.8 to 10.0 for an additional 10-15hp.

All this info is from HOT ROD mag May 2009 PG 95.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top