Big Block Chevy Buildup? DOHC?

[Last Ride]

Hey gang--
I have been looking at big blocks as an alternative to my twin turbo LT1 idea, and have found some pretty interesting buildups. Of particular interest was an article in the August 2003 issue of Hot Rod magazine. On page 18, it talked about a guy named Pete Aardema that took an aluminum BBC and bolted on a set of Porsche V8 DOHC heads. It's fuel injected and 440 CID. It makes 550 ft-lbs. at only 2500 RPM! Anyone else ever heard of this being done? I am interested in building a big block (probably from a Merlin aluminum block), but I must admit that I am ignorant in the big block arena. Can anyone offer suggestions as to the approach to building a BBC, parts that are of good quality, etc? I am just wondering if it would be a legitimate alternative to a twin turbo 350. I definitely want fuel injection, and shooting for 600+ hp with decent street manners. Thanks for the help!

 

[matchframe]

Bryan,

I plan to build a Big Block for my 78. I don't have one yet, but have a pretty good idea of what I want to do. I have read everything I could find and talked with everybody that I know about Big Blocks. Based on the research, I would recommend it if you were leaning that way. Look up some of 69MyWay's old posts when he was building Killer, they are a valuable source of information about Big Blocks. You can't beat a Big Block when it comes to raw HP and torque. And with fuel injection like what Edelbrock offers, you will have the dependability needed for a daily driver.

I read that article as well and was impressed that he used a set of Porsche DOHC heads.

Bill

 

[67HEAVEN]

Can anyone offer suggestions........

Here's an interesting starting point for ideas and information.

http://www.idavette.net/hib/vette_bbfh.htm

 

[AKRAY4PLAY]

there is a bunch of different ways go. small or big block will get you your power goals. big blocks will be a little cheaper to build because of the power to displacement ratio vs. price. once you get over 1.5 hp per cubic inch, the price for power skyrockets. weight is a downfall of big blocks as is the price of an aluminum bb. check out AFR website, they have some builds that may interest you. i don't have any experience with these 4-valve heads or the company, but they are interesting to see. http://www.araoengineering.com/Chevy/chevybb.htm. just another route to examine. Brian