Putting together a nasty SBC

[LT.]

Greg, I was thinking, I know dangerous, but, how cool would it be to build a flat head motor in the 300 hp range? I have a secret love for the old flat heads and I know that they don't make a whole lot of power but, in a rat rod that may be just perfect. I think I have even seen a supercharger on one. I know that is not what you were thinking but, it may be just as fun. You know, the journey is more than the destination.

LT.

 

[Greg]

Greg, I was thinking, I know dangerous, but, how cool would it be to build a flat head motor in the 300 hp range? I have a secret love for the old flat heads and I know that they don't make a whole lot of power but, in a rat rod that may be just perfect. I think I have even seen a supercharger on one. I know that is not what you were thinking but, it may be just as fun. You know, the journey is more than the destination.

LT.

I've thought about it but it costs big $$$$ to get any real power out of them. I think at a minimum you need aftermarket heads, which aren't cheap for a Flathead. Then come the rest of the parts and building the motor. The cool factor would be there, along with the credit card payment.

 

[Greg]

I have a GT 500 that is ready for you to come pick on.

I think you should pick on his Camaro with that GT 500... :greg: 2 cars with boost, should be fair, right? I'd be there for that one and will put some money down on the Camaro.

The motor is a bone stock high mileage LT1 right now pushing 7psi. Doing an all forged 383, 3.75" crank and 30 over. Lower compression and about 15psi boost :busted:

 

[waynehartwig]

I've thought about it but it costs big $$$$ to get any real power out of them. I think at a minimum you need aftermarket heads, which aren't cheap for a Flathead. Then come the rest of the parts and building the motor. The cool factor would be there, along with the credit card payment.

Yes, but oh so cool! Part of being a rat rod is identity (but you knew that). There are SBC powered rat's all over the place.

 

[Greg]

Yes, but oh so cool! Part of being a rat rod is identity (but you knew that). There are SBC powered rat's all over the place.

Yes, but running a Flathead is more along the lines of a traditional hot rod, not really a rat rod. Rat rods are all about whatever you can find, for cheap or free, IMO. I just want to build a nasty, lumpy, yet affordable engine and a SBC fits the bill.

I really enjoyed assembling my old 355 from a bare block and I'd like to re-live that experience. I had never built an engine from a block-up before that and it's a good memory for me.

 

[waynehartwig]

Rat rods are all about whatever you can find, for cheap or free, IMO.

I agree 100%. Didn't even consider that angle.....

 

[anderson750]

I think you should pick on his Camaro with that GT 500... :greg: 2 cars with boost, should be fair, right? I'd be there for that one and will put some money down on the Camaro.

That would be fun.

But for the record, I am a chevy guy throughout and love the LS motors. I am in the middle of building a 36 Pontiac and am putting an LS1 and 4L60E in it. Probably not the motor/trans a purist would put in it, but I plan on driving the wheels off this thing and wanted reliability you get out of the LS.

The Shelby is investment......my sons inheritance.:greg:

 

[LT.]

I agree 100%. Didn't even consider that angle.....

I really had not given that any thought as well. Good call Greg. I know you had said a rat rod, do you already have one picked out? Years, models overall ideas, anything? I sure would like to see what ever you put together. I hope you get it together soon. Building motors has always been one of my favorite things to do. I guess it is the close tolerances and how precisely things fit together. Good luck with your build.

LT.