1972 Chevelle SBC combo

We picked up a 1972 Chevelle over the holidays and are curious about a Stocker combination.





The car is well built with good, safe, quality parts. The current engine is a forged 383 roller engine with Dart heads and a Holley. I'd like to keep this engine for cruising to car shows and some local small tire DOT racing but wanted a Stocker engine to drop in and try to get our feet wet in class racing.

Is there a good SBC Stocker combination that wouldn't break the bank and is a class without a million killer cars where we could just worry about running the index to get started? The car already has nice SB headers, EWP, alternator mount, etc. so I'd like to stay SB.

Thoughts?

Scott

[TommyPettigrew3076]

Any of your small block chevy stuff is going to be pricey to be honest even just to run the index . Most of the Chevy combos are hit pretty good with H.P . As far as " dropping in " a stocker motor you are prob going to have to have at least a 5:13 gear , $1000 for a good converter and $2500 for a good turbo 200 or 350 trans . The 72 small block combo isn't to bad I think its rated at 270hp and will run H/I/J stock with means it could weigh 3275 to 3545 pounds depending on class you run. Engine you are looking at a minimum $6500 and I am not even sure that would do it for something to run the index or a little under a GOOD piece more like $12000 to $20,000

Originally Posted by TommyPettigrew3076

Any of your small block chevy stuff is going to be pricey to be honest even just to run the index . Most of the Chevy combos are hit pretty good with H.P . As far as " dropping in " a stocker motor you are prob going to have to have at least a 5:13 gear , $1000 for a good converter and $2500 for a good turbo 200 or 350 trans . The 72 small block combo isn't to bad I think its rated at 270hp and will run H/I/J stock with means it could weigh 3275 to 3545 pounds depending on class you run. Engine you are looking at a minimum $6500 and I am not even sure that would do it for something to run the index or a little under a GOOD piece more like $12000 to $20,000

Thank you. I'm sure you're right on target with all of this.

[Jim Hanig]

The best combo would be the 270 350, if you are in this for the long haul . Buy the best block you can,you can run a cast piston and stock rods red line cam regular lifter, race rings , corvette pan std oil pump buy a set of older stocker heads,there are several guys that can get a set done. But really be hard to do it for under 5500.00 not counting trans and convertor. Nice look chevelle good luck. Then up grade as you go.

[Mark Yacavone]

H, I, and J are not what I'd call under populated with fast cars.
I believe that was the premise of the question.

[Jim Hanig]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

H, I, and J are not what I'd call under populated with fast cars.
I believe that was the premise of the question.

Mark i do,not think their are many under populated classes for that combo.Mabye a 2 barrel 350 wouldnt that be fun.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Jim Hanig

Mark i do,not think their are many under populated classes for that combo.Mabye a 2 barrel 350 wouldnt that be fun.

It is what is . Getting thumped 1st rd., by 8 tenths is no fun either.

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

It is what is . Getting thumped 1st rd., by 8 tenths is no fun either.

Amen. Might have to broaden my horizons and think about selling the SB stuff and going with a nice 402? The car already lacks heat, air, PS, PB, radio ... so it's not like we're street driving it much.

[Jim Hanig]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

It is what is . Getting thumped 1st rd., by 8 tenths is no fun either.

I do not not think that would happen very often. In the last 5 years how many first round heads up have you had?.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Jim Hanig

I do not not think that would happen very often. In the last 5 years how many first round heads up have you had?.

Zero..but not a good example.
3rd or 4th round can be equally as painful.
I always thought the idea was to win eliminators. not just go a couple of rounds, so you can contribute to the Glendora Retirement Fund.