You can get 550-600+ hp from a Pontiac motor without resorting to an IA II/500+ CID setup. Plenty of Pontiac guys just use their 400 block (preferably a no.481988 or earlier model), buy a 462 stroker kit, solid roller cam, and some KRE's or E-heads. This build can be bought in the USA for about $10-12k or built at home for less. Plus keeping it pure Pontiac gets the official seal of approval from everyone at any Pontiac meet.
I would only run a 535 if I wanted a 750-800+ hp Pontiac- that much power is overkill for the street unless you want to go 200+ mph or 8 secs. in the 1/4 mi.
Fuel economy is another matter, especially with big bore carbed engines- there is no way an IA II 535 will pull down better mileage than a 462 stroker, since the bigger motor needs more carb. The 535 will eat more gas, even with the same carb as the 462. The LS3, on the other hand, is the true winner in this category- the latest in GM technology lets you run a 480-500 hp motor and still get 25-27 mpg.
Geno
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