496 for a El Camino

[vortecpro]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

I am not a smart man, but even I understand that he was talking about the track elevation. 900 ft MSL.

Paul

LOL LOL LOLLOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOLLOL

[vortecpro]

I'm interested in your project because I want to do something similar for my '69 Caprice. In the car now is a generic mid-'70s vintage 454 with a stock cam and th400 with a heavy duty RV converter, 12 bolt open 2.56 gears. '69 hi-rise cast iron qjet, iron exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust 2.5 headpipes, 2.25 tailpipes. Runs well but I think a slightly bigger camshaft would help it to pull higher rpms without sacrificing smooth idle and pleasant part throttle manners.

I want to build a big displacement engine to look like it's factory 1969 vintage and keep the 2.56 gears. Driver only, I'm not trying to race it. Occasional blast down country roads for fun. I don't see many interested in highway gear builds!

Particularly interested in camshaft selection for 496+ displacement, th400 with a tight converter, and 2.56 gears in a 4200+ weight car. Suggestions welcome.

Vortecpro 427 Caprice

[strokersix]

Vortecpro 427 Caprice

Rock on! that's my car Well, not really but it's close

[Monza355]

I'm interested in your project because I want to do something similar for my '69 Caprice. In the car now is a generic mid-'70s vintage 454 with a stock cam and th400 with a heavy duty RV converter, 12 bolt open 2.56 gears. '69 hi-rise cast iron qjet, iron exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust 2.5 headpipes, 2.25 tailpipes. Runs well but I think a slightly bigger camshaft would help it to pull higher rpms without sacrificing smooth idle and pleasant part throttle manners.

I want to build a big displacement engine to look like it's factory 1969 vintage and keep the 2.56 gears. Driver only, I'm not trying to race it. Occasional blast down country roads for fun. I don't see many interested in highway gear builds!

Particularly interested in camshaft selection for 496+ displacement, th400 with a tight converter, and 2.56 gears in a 4200+ weight car. Suggestions welcome.

Vortecpro 427 Caprice

Nice launch ! And a very cool car, a great sleeper
How fast did this one go and what was the combo ?

[F-BIRD'88]

Good job.

[rfoll]

If I remember correctly, the turbo 475 is the truck transmission with the straight cut gears and a really low 1st gear ratio.

[vortecpro]

If I remember correctly, the turbo 475 is the truck transmission with the straight cut gears and a really low 1st gear ratio.

Correct, but it (475) does utilize a 2.48 first gear. Remember the Monte had a 2.52 first gear, but I hope my power will make the difference, I will run a drag radial.

[rfoll]

I'm pretty sure there was a low 1st gear version. could be useful for your application, but I believe they are rare.

[prairiehotrodder]

Is there a way to identify if a turbo 400 has the straight cut planetary ? I see some turbo 400's have HD cast into the bell housing. And some have a 6 lug torque convertor. I even pull one out of a giant motorhome that had an E-brake on the tail.

EDIT: Is the straight cut planet the only thing that makes it a turbo 475 ?

I even have one out of a buick that has the "switch pitch" gimmick.


Brian

[vortecpro]

Is there a way to identify if a turbo 400 has the straight cut planetary ? I see some turbo 400's have HD cast into the bell housing. And some have a 6 lug torque convertor. I even pull one out of a giant motorhome that had an E-brake on the tail.

EDIT: Is the straight cut planet the only thing that makes it a turbo 475 ?

I even have one out of a buick that has the "switch pitch" gimmick.


Brian

The ones I get are from 87-89 motor homes with the drum brake on the rear and HD cast into the case. 2.48 first gear. Wanted to start with this blue El Camino but it was sold, I contacted super car specialties to do a roller for me but he was to backed up and not taking work, so I'am looking for the right car with a completed quality nut and bolt restoration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RhXM-HvpgM

[prairiehotrodder]

Do a G-body. Your life will never be the same again !!

[vortecpro]

A picture of the stock street tired Monte with only a engine and headers installed. LOL

[F-BIRD'88]

I still say you will really enjoy it with 3.55 gearz and the Gear Vendors Overdrive..

[Dragginwagon406]

Bump for a good thread.

There are some good ideas in here, how are the projects coming along?

Are more people tempted to start a highway gear build?

[67 Nova]

Been doing the highway gear build for almost 2 yrs due to parts lines getting "THE WHO-FLU"! Took 11 months to get block work done. Parts have been months. Mine is a bit more "racey" then Marks or this Monte! Nice work by the way. I'm not "allowed" on the Chevelle site any more since Straub/Foxwell got me booted, so couldn't follow what the previous post said.

Mine is a 1967 Nova SS. T400 with Gear Vendor, 9" with 4.33's 3200 stall and 29.5 x 11.5 tire. NOT sure if I will put AC in it but car is getting PW's. MOTOR: BMP 4.530 bore ALUMINUM block with Scat 4 " stroke so 515 inches. Scat 6.535 rods and Wiseco 13cc piston. NOT sure on what SR cam yet. Heads were supposed to be Flotek 290's with RPM air gap, BUT we also just picked up a nice 522 for a customer that has the Dart/Sonnys 320 cc sq port heads and matching Team G. Holley Sniper Xflow efi going on as well.

Figure THAT car should run at least 9.40's or so and drive wherever.

Bought/buying a 1967 Beaumont SD that will get another 500 inch pump gas driver. It is already set up with 396 that will be swapped out, 700r4 and 3.73 12 bolt. That too has a Holley Sniper EFI kit going on. 10.90 is the goal with that one. BUT as Mark said, the 700r is a "power robber"!