Can somebody please (if possible) summarize the different types of Chevy V8 that would be suitable to achieving around 400-500Bhp???

Ive been looking at 350's mainly as these seem very cheap to buy an old unit, but being new to V8 engines wondered what changes would need to be made (rebuild) in order to achieve these outputs with some reliability???

Any advice regarding compression ratio's, cam choice head porting inlets and carb's or any other requirements greatfully received, also any idea of costs

Thanks in advance.

 

350's are a good choice. fisrt start with the basic, upgrading fuel components(fuel line, pump, and carb), exhaust(headers), and external engine(intake, electronic water pump, a/c bypass, turbo, and elec. radiator fan conversion. to obtain true power you upgrade the guts of the motor(bore the cylinders, cam, and etc...some of these things are not needed but hope that helps.

 

If you want some new technology than you could go with an LSx motor. They are cheap and depending on what size you get you can hit 500hp easy with a supercharger and some other goodies.

 

First thing first, what is this going in? If you have a vehicle that is run by computer then not only do you have to do engine mods but also computer upgrades or reprogramming. Then you have to decide how much money you want to spend. Then we can decide which direction to take.

I spent 4 grand on mine.

 

As chevyjunky77 indicates it depends on what your goals are..

My roller cam 454 in my camaro does 500 hp at the rear wheels without hitting the Nitrous and can be driven on the street daily

....But a big block isn't for everyone....

greg