Stocker engine choice
 

I'm in the process of building a stocker from a 71 Caprice.This car came with the 400 SB. Natural class would be O/SA. The Since the Caprice came with the 400sb,402bb,and the 454.I like all the choices but the 402. Next question is, the Impala came with the 350 which would give it the Hp break and put it in I believe QorR/SA which puts it with the 95 era 350lt Caprice.which is about .5 difference on the index.and I dont see it running with the fi cars.I dont expect to tear the index but would at least like to be -.5 under.This car has been a very winning bracket car but with a 383 in it.I've race Stock for years back in the 80s and like the odd ball stuff.Give me a little input on which combo you would start with and why.Thanks Dave

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

The 350....Natural N add weight to O....the 400 is a 2bbl

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yea I know just was wondering what you guys thought on which motor and why.

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

400 with 2bbl would be a bad deal. I think the 71 350 @ 270 in your car is the lowest rated Hp of any Chevy 350 4bbl. The 487 heads are a pretty good head everything else is normal 350 stuff. I'm not sure on the pistons in that engine though.

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

Change the tail lights and 350 2 barrel 993 heads - Q/SA
400 is HORRIBLE

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Run it in O with the 350/ 4 bbl . Easier to start there.

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

The 350/4 barrel would be fairly inexpensive to build and fairly easy to make it go .5 under. Built right it could go 1.0 or more under.

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Thanks Guys for emails and replys. Going 454

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I don't know who's been writing you, but that is about the worst choice you could make.
If you want me to elaborate, write ME.

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Mark,PM sent,also the 350 change to Impala from Caprice,and 454 were my two choices, the 454 for the TQ .Guys give me some pros and cons of the two. I always ran sb cars. but nothing with the weight of the 71 B Body.HELP with reasoning,Thanks Dave

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

The 71 350-270 is an excellent combination. i ran one several years ago and it has a lot of potential. Stay away from the 454. very difficult to make it run fast.

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I'm now getting more PROS email for the 350-270 combo. than the 454. Everything in the emails are things I have been aware of,but just wanted to be on the right track.The 454 was something I just was not sure of. But as I was remined of No way will it run 1.2 plus under the G index.So I'll go back to the 350 combo. Again THANKS guys for keeping me straight. Dave Borror

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Mark,
I would be curious to hear what your objections are to the 454 and how that is the WORST choice be could. Doesn't sound all that bad to me in a heavy car.

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Mike, What I told Dave is this: He's living in the middle of Div 3, with F,G, and H cars all around him. He'll be getting his *** handed to him in heads up runs regularly, if he goes any rounds. I never really analyzed the engine combo ,per se .
My concern was with the classes it would run, the overall size of the car (wind resistance, bigger transmission needed ,etc) and the fact that I don't believe you'd ever see 1.44 60 footers , like you do with some of the good 305 Camaro H cars.
The 454 is probably a good motor, just not in that particular type of car, IMHO

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

To each his own I guess. Personally, I would rather run H and I than N and O every day of the week. I don't 60-foot anywhere near the LT1 and 396 cars but the difference disappears by the 330. Lets not forget how many cars out there run the 1969 to 1980's 350. How about doing something a little different than the norm. How many '71/'72 low compression 454's are there in the country? 4? I don't think 560+ pounds of torque would have much problem pushing that car through the air. But again, thats just one opinion. I say try something different.

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Mike, I'm all for "different" . I'm really not the type to recommend SBC's to anyone, normally.
I'm just trying to help Dave play the hand he's got.
I've seen too many people get discouraged early on with the heads up thing.

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

Mike Ficacci, A malibu wagon that runs in L/SA,M/SA,or N/SA leads the national points in stock, few heads up runs in the lower classes.Tom

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Thanks fo your input. These are the same thought I have had..That is one of the reasons I have bounced back and forth on which combo to run..I can see the sb being easier on parts. But would the 454 be more consistant with the big weight since it would need a smaller gear and smaller convert.? What about heat issues.I kinda see this as NOT being a apple to apple comparison.I would think it would take the 454 hp to keep 4000+ lbs moving on the big end and the tq to 60 foot. I ran a IHRA combo years ago. A 79 Olds Cutlass 3420# 260/110 2 bbl. That @ that time was aY/SA car . I could run -.5 in the 1/8 but could not run the 1/4 index. It would die at the 1000'.So I was ok at point races but could not run like at Norwalk .I see the 454 being the natural fit,and is different.I dont expect to kill the index just be able to go.5 or so under and have some fun,also do so weekend bracket stuff. This is what i love about stock racing. Thanks again guys for any ,or more input. Dave

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Tom, If the idea is to run away from everyone and everything then yes, go hang out in a lower class and keep stickers in your trailer. Although at the last division 3 race there were 3 N cars and 3 O cars. An O car was qualified 5th. Lang is leading points because he a phenomenal racer and has won 5 races this year. With the 454 he would be running low 11's at 117. With the 350-270 he'll be running mid 12's at 104....105? Again, its all personal preference but both combos can run on a budget.

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Dave, just one more thing for you to think about, because of the weight of your car you are going to get into issues with either combo that you choose. What I mean is you could take the 454 right out of Mikes 3000# Corvette or the 350 out of Johnny Grays Nova and stick it in your 4000# plus Caprice and it isn't exactly going to work. It would be nice if Bob Bender would check in on this issue. You have to find a way to accelerate all of that mass and a lot of the tricks that make a light car go fast won't work on your car.

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Dave, I can tell you this. It's going to be a hell of a lot less expensive to get the 350-270 to run 5-7 tenths under than it will that truck motor 454. If you don't believe me call Bruce Parsons because he has experience with both motors.

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Dave,
You have a PM
Chris

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So then to move mass you need tq. Then 454 would reason on 60' and at the stipe? Also thanks Chris.

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Dave,
I'm not saying do one or the other. The 350 is a great combo that has/is run by a huge group of people. The 454 is rare now-a-days. Some people seem to be under the impression that the 454 won't run and that's simply not true. That's all I was trying to get at. Someone said that the 454 is the WORST choice. That's just ignorant.
Mike

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Again , It was I who said the 454 was the worst combo...IN THAT CAR, IN THOSE CLASSES.... (I should have qualified that statement by mentioning the 400 2bbl as first -worst)

Ignorant? Maybe so, but I stand by my comment.
Then again ,what do I know?

Re: Stocker engine choice
 

Guys,I want to thank you for your input.I did get to speak through email with Bob Bender.Knowing that I do have the option of the 454 I think I will work that combo in time,but I am going to go 350/270. He has proven that combo works. I might have been under estamating the 350.Also, I want to thank Bob for his input,and GOD speed. If any of you are at the Jegs Northern Nats. I'll introduce myself .Dave