If you call Mike and tell him what you want out of the car and how you intend to use it he can help you design what is best for you. There are a million different ways to build an engine and just as many opinions about what to use. I would be happy to give you mine if you want it. But I really think that someone with the experience of a pro builder like Mike will be the best help you can get. Just tell him how you would like to use the car and what your budget is and go from there. :cheers:

Well, I don't know if you are talking about a 540, but that's what I was talking about. :lol:

Here is a good start.

http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/540_ultrastreet.asp

Crate motor from builder comes with warranty. (pro)

You build it yourself you save money (pro) but no warranty (con).

You could also do a short block 502 or a long block and finish it yourself since you have skills and tools it sounds like.

http://sdparts.com/catalog/crate-eng...p-zz502-engine

There was an article probably 10+ years ago where the late John Lingenfelter put ported oval port heads on a stock 502 with a decent size cam and made 660-670 hp, so it is pretty easily done and remains very street friendly.

Again, you could duplicate very easily with a 496 as well. Lotsa options here!

EDIT: here is the simple Lingenfelter 502 article.... wow, from 1993!

http://www.derekspratt.com/PDFs/Auto...ary%201993.pdf

Ok so looks like I have to take momma a letter for my motor that says about 8k-10k for between a 502 or 540 to be making between 550-high600 hp range and streetable. Bang for the buck he 502 is better if I am reading what you guys are saying and then later I can add ram injection if I want more?

That's a good read but it can be done with a dual plane intake and 4150 carb nowadays with more power. The key is to design the engine for your intended application.

I really don't see the need to go with so much displacement that you have to use an aftermarket block. Why do that and have the extra expense when the goal is 550-600 hp in a streetable package? A 489-496 CID based on a production 454 block with good internals (same quality as inside a 502 or 540) will cover all of your needs and still offer room for more power down the road. (try getting all of that torque to stick to the road, not easy. More power will just be wasted)
If you use 489 inches as a starting point, add a good hyd roller cam, decent heads, good induction and exhaust and keep the comp ratio at a reasonable level you will have a 600+hp motor that runs on pump gas and will last you forever. More cubic inches is great at the show when the other guy asks but it will serve no purpose in THIS application. All it will do is make the overall cost of the build higher. Unless someone has a line on cheap 502/540 size blocks?
Of course, I could have my head way up my a** here. I still say go talk to Mike and tell him your goals.
Just my .02 :cheers:

All great info guys that is starting to make alot of sence. Keep it up and I am a sponge right now taking it all in!!!

Thanks

keep I all coming.

Word. :lateral:

Was your car in one of the building this past good guys right by the glass doors?

affirmative. did you and I chat?