We dropped the engine off on Saturday.
I'm sure some of you locals have heard of
Rex Hutchison Racing in Sacramento, CA. They have built a solid reputation over the years, firmly rooted in local level and national level racing. We have known the owner personally for 14 years, and treats us like we buy an engine every month. I still remember him from back in 1995 (I was 12), when my dad had a 454 built for our Eliminator. The shop tour they gave us was incredible, and probably the first time I understood the addiction to horsepower.
However, when it came to building my engine, I started out a bit skeptical of my dad's recommendation to call Rex. I didn't like the idea of an engine build by a shop that I considered "old school." Aluminum heads, solid roller cam, high revs, pro touring...I didn't see my ideas meshing well with a shop that's been around since the stone ages. Long story short, my misconceptions were smushed when I spoke with Dan, who is arranging the details of my build as we speak. Not to mention Rex, who makes you feel like his grandkid within about 10 minutes. We got a shop tour again...the fully-ported LSX 454 with a sheetmetal intake quelled any fears I had about the shop stuck in the stone ages.
The details are still pending, but so far this is the direction we are headed (with help from the great guys at
www.camaros.net too):
Engine Build
355ci 4 bolt, forged pistons, moly rings, brass plugs, etc
10:1
Pro Topline aluminum 200cc heads (off my 327), possibly port
XR280R solid roller cam, 242 248 duration
Victor Jr or RPM Air Gap
Holley 750 DP
1 3/4" headers
Summary of the rest of my Drivetrain:
Aluminum Flywheel
Centerforce clutch
TKO 5 speed
3.73 Rear
Should be good for 450 hp at 6500rpm, and peak torque around 4800 and rev like a monster