This is a great thread and confirms my suspicions about this subject. I am getting ready for my first ls swap into my 69. I have never driven anything considered high horsepower and realize I don't have the experience to do so. To that end, my plan is a stock ls3, headers and a tune. I totally enjoy just driving my car and rarely nail it. More horsepower would just increase the chance of the above happening and as stated is still plenty of power to get in trouble if not careful.

My guys and myself were just talking about this subject last week. We get customers all the time insisting they need at the very least 700 hp. Its all due to forums and You tube. They hear about these 1000+ hp numbers and think that's the norm. As much as I personally enjoy insane power to weight ratios, :), I try to talk them out of it. Realistically, 400hp with optimum gearing would probably still get a majority of people in trouble if they aren't used to it. I won't even get into the motorcycles that are out now!

I think this was Halloween.

They all think that they are just as good as Ken Block and Tanner Faust. They do not realize the vast gulf in talent and experience between us mortals and those few top guys that get paid. Even if I am "that good" I know that I have not had anywhere near the practice time, so I am not by any means equal. What they also don't realize is how many cars those guys put into barriers learning how to do the stuff they do and even they get in a little too deep sometimes. I think I watched Tanner drop from 1st to 3rd one day because he came in a little too hot on the final curve. Difference is the safety equipment on those cars is top notch, they drive top of the line cars with the absolute best parts, they are super well maintained vehicles, they race in a controlled environment, and when they do wreck once in a while someone else picks up the bill.

More than enough power to have fun with. If you want to save money, you could go with a "simple" LS1/6 and also have plenty of power. You're taking the correct approach given your situation/experience in my opinion and I commend you. Have fun. Respect the power but don't be scared of it either. When you're done, go autox the car or sign up for a HPDE class so you can learn to utilize the car's capabilities while expanding your abilities.

This is my exact thoughts also! I know I went overboard on a lot of stuff on my car but HP was not one, it will have plenty for my needs and skills till I can get more experience. I can even say as Steve mentioned I found my self getting sucked into the "keeping up with Jones" mind set from reading the forums. I wanted to do a ls7 650 to 700 HP then I really stepped back and thought about what I would be using the car for the most. I can always upgrade!!

I had one of the top engine builders in the country talk me out of the monster HP twin turbo/pro charger deal. Now this guy could of sold me the world but in the end he just put it to me plane and simple ''What are you going to do with all this HP!?!?!?! Keep your 572/620hp, pump it up a little and you will have more than enough HP trust me''. So I listened.:D

With all that said..... a quad rotor whipple atop my 632 Tall deck BBC would be pretty cool....

I would have to agree!:D

I'll throw in another .02 as a guy that deals with 1000+ hp blown big blocks on a regular basis...

I've had two clients that after having me build them 1000+hp supercharged big block monster cars realized how uncomfortable it is to drive that on a regular basis and both have their cars up for sale so I can build them something more reasonable that they can enjoy. The Chevelle being one of them which I felt was a very comfortable car (relatively compared to the 1000hp Super Snakes I've done with side exhaust) that we road tripped 2200 miles in a week. People don't realize how much effort goes into driving a vehicle like this on the street on a daily basis. You feel worn out and tone deaf when you get where you are going just from driving and keeping the car straight. A little too much throttle off the line? Tire spin... A little too deep in the throttle getting around that guy on the on ramp? Passing him sideways.... Burnouts aren't even much fun since they tires don't have a chance.... Fun for a weekend car but these guys wanted something to drive on a regular basis.

One will be replaced with a Viper powered Challenger and the other with a TT Coyote 65 Fastback.

And yes...the HP numbers we can produce easily nowadays scares me as well. The majority of my clients like cars but are not "car guys" per se... they have their muscle car as a weekend toy but they aren't "drivers." These cars are much different from driving a 458 or Murcialago... much more brutal... much more raw... much easier to get into trouble with.