New Guy Here - 67 Chevelle

Darryl

Member
Hi everyone.

I am from Hemet, CA and happened upon this site while doing research on big block chevy's.

I am a hobbyist and have had my 67 chevelle since 87. I learned all that I know from the old guy down the street. He was a chevy guy and taught me how to pull out engines and I have been hooked ever since. I love working on my chevy and doing all that I can do on it to the limit of my know-how and knowledge. My first car was a mustang 2 with a 4 banger and then I exchanged it for a rallye sport mustang 2 with the 302 in it. I sold it and bought a vega and put the small block 400 in it. I never got it running because I saw the chevelle and bought it for $700. I put the 400 in the chevelle and have had it in there until now. I am older now and know what I want out of it. A BIG BLOCK. I bought a 96 suburban with a good running 454 and sold my small block. I plan on making it simple as possible. I snatched all the top end off to just the short block to run a carbureted setup.

This is where I need some help. This car is for the street with occasional bracket race use. I want it driveable with vacuum for the brakes. I just want a mild cam and heads and just want to be sure that the components I choose can just bolt on with no major problems like punching a hole in my pistons. I have limited knowledge about machine work, clearances, etc. I have absolutely no knowledge of big blocks. These are the components I chose so far:

Brodix Race Rite heads summit part no. BRO-2061000 - 119cc Chamber, 270cc Intake Runner
Camshaft summit part no. NAL-12366543 - Duration at 0.50 Lift 224/ 234, .527/.544 in. Lift
Edelbrock Perform RPM air gap intake summit part no. EDL-7561

The chevelle has a turbo 400 with gearvendors OD and 3.73:1 gear.

Questions:
1. Can I just bolt these heads on with this cam and not worry about the piston to valve clearance? Stock pistons are flat with valve reliefs.
2. I noticed that the pushrods are different lengths. Is this common to all big blocks or just to these vortec heads?
3. Will the aftermarket heads use the same mounting bolts as the vortec heads?
4. Should I try for more compression with 110cc chamber heads?
P1010030.JPG 20140706_204440.jpg
 
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Grumpy is a Big fan of the Stroker 496 BBC.

You want 11.0 :1 static compression.
Usually takes New Forged Pistons.
He will want New Forged Rods.
Steel Forged Crank.
What will get reused is the 454 Block.
All will be new aftermarket.
He prefers a roller cam.

Look at your budget.
Need $8-10 k to pull it off a full performance Grumpy 496 Build.
Likely more.

The stock Peanut port iron heads Grumpy says can support 500hp with porting work.
Every Big Chevy should have forged pistons added.
Means a full rebuild.

Cast pistons can be used but I would back down on compression ratio 9.3:1. Use a mild cam. Target Hp 360 -400.
 
ask brodix about the heads and 1996 block compatibility and correct head gasket to use, with the combo\
youll need a cam and timing chain designed for the MARK VI block with ARP bolts matching the heads
yes you ALWAYS need to check ALL valve train clearances and rocker geometry

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/big-block-chevy-info.710/#post-60299

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ark-v-bbc-engine-oil-system-differences.4576/

Chevrolet-Big-Block-V8-Evolution.jpg
 
4. Should I try for more compression with 110cc chamber heads?
How does this compare to your stock heads? Do some research and let us know.

Camshaft summit part no. NAL-12366543 - Duration at 0.50 Lift 224/ 234, .527/.544 in. Lift
There is a lot more to a camshaft than the few numbers you posted above. I'm not trying to say you
should have known, but just trying to let you know. In a week I might be able to run some simulations
with Dynomation 6 for you if that would help. Right now I'm busy with another forum member and
his (six sims and counting so far) simulations.

Also in the middle of a 700R4 transmission rebuild with another member.

BTW, welcome to the forum from Oklahoma !!! WelcomeToGrumpy\'s.gif
 
there are lots of cylinder heads that can potentially boost performance, by increasing compression,
but that will also probably change the cam selection as the other factors like compression,
potential air flow and tolerance for increased valve lift change, as the heads change.
 
How does this compare to your stock heads? Do some research and let us know.


There is a lot more to a camshaft than the few numbers you posted above. I'm not trying to say you
should have known, but just trying to let you know. In a week I might be able to run some simulations
with Dynomation 6 for you if that would help. Right now I'm busy with another forum member and
his (six sims and counting so far) simulations.

Also in the middle of a 700R4 transmission rebuild with another member.

BTW, welcome to the forum from Oklahoma !!! View attachment 11523
You are right! I should know, but I don't and that's why I need guys like you to school me! I called brodix and It looks like the stock heads I have are 100cc. They suggested trying to get some heads with the same chamber volume. I'm just trying to keep it simple. I would just like to bolt on some heads and a cam and not have to take apart the short block for any extra work because I bought the wrong stuff. But if that can't be avoided then I am just going to have to do it. Anything more than the stock vortec heads and cam would be fine for me. I was hoping to find somebody who may have bolted on some components on a stock gen VI 454.
 
there are lots of cylinder heads that can potentially boost performance, by increasing compression,
but that will also probably change the cam selection as the other factors like compression,
potential air flow and tolerance for increased valve lift change, as the heads change.
I called Brodix and they suggested I try to choose heads with the same chamber volume as my stock ones. I went to mortec.com and found that my head casting no. is
10141279..."Vortec 7400", 100cc chambers. The closest head they had to that was 110cc. I don't mind losing a little hp if this would work. What do you think? I am also willing to make a camshaft change when I figure out what head to run and figure out some compression. I will then call Comp Cams to see what cam they suggest, or another cam manufacturer that you suggest.
 
10141279 Category: Cylinder Heads
Type: Big Block V8
Date: 1996+
Notes: oval port, closed chamber, Vortec 7400, 100cc chambers

you might find this interesting, even ported the factory heads are only as good as the better sbc heads.
http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/0510st-1996-chevy-truck-vortec-big-block/


read the comments (that may not be the exact replacement BRODIX head you would use ,
but it does give you something to show the difference in potential flow of the smaller oval port and its benefits.)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bro-2061000/overview/make/chevrolet
 
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