Beginners dragster motor

[FED 387]

looking to build a 283-305 for my 16 year old grandson to learn how to drive a 1100 pound dragster---you know get the feeling of the speed- handling of the car -staging--doing a burn out-- the noise etc---want to build it CHEAP ---no hi tech stuff --- what kind of heads ,cam should I use ---want it to be able to run on pump gas/NO lead---kinda thinking about a 3310 holley with a aluminum intake manifold ---steel rods-- dragster headers--powerglide with a 3600-400 convertor----Any ideas --thanx in advance Comp387

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by FED 387

looking to build a 283-305 for my 16 year old grandson to learn how to drive a 1100 pound dragster---you know get the feeling of the speed- handling of the car -staging--doing a burn out-- the noise etc---want to build it CHEAP ---no hi tech stuff --- what kind of heads ,cam should I use ---want it to be able to run on pump gas/NO lead---kinda thinking about a 3310 holley with a aluminum intake manifold ---steel rods-- dragster headers--powerglide with a 3600-400 convertor----Any ideas --thanx in advance Comp387

Find a 1994 or later Chevy 350 truck engine with 4 Bolt mains and Vortec heads. They can be found cheap at the local yards or Craigslist. Get rid of the powdered rods and put some good steel rods. Being a hydraulic roller motor, find a ZZ cam in Ebay and put it in. Purchase a Professional Products Crosswind intake with a Holley DP 700-750. Reliable and low maintenance.

[FED 387]

I like the vortec idea--what kind of power could I expect---don;t want to let him go nuts right off the bat but still want to be a "quick" ride ---will put a rev limiter chip in at say 4000RPM to hold him back til he learns what is going on.--Thanx for the ideas---Comp 387

[Bench Racer]

FED 387 I sent you a PM. Don Jackson

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by 1664SSJA

Sounds a helluva lot better than my idea!
Waddya figure that would make? 250-275?

With slightly ported cylinder heads, Manley valves, matched ported intake, a Comp Voodo Cam, roller rockers and a 750 Holey DP, the engine made 434 HP.
I called this engine the "Ebay" budget engine, with the exception of the long block, whic I got in Craigslist, all the other parts were purchased through Ebay. The connecting rods were 6" used Crowers for $120.00. The forged flat top JE pistons were left over stock for $225.00. Valves $98.00 for a full set, intake was $132.00, SFI Powerbond light weight balancer for $95.00...and...I paid for the long block $185.00. The OEM distributor had the compatible gear for roller cam use. I put it on an OEM distributor with a points conversion kit.