496 for a El Camino

[vortecpro]

In the near future I plan to build a 1970 el Camino black or blue with factory type black stripes. I will build a 496 with GM oval port heads, 228/238 @ .050 111 LS hyd roller, Mahle pistons, 6.385 rod, Performer RPM air gap with the cowl induction hood. Also I will use a old school Moroso deep pan just like the El camino I remember as a kid. I plan to use a Turbo 475 with a 12 bolt with a 2.56 gear and a Eaton posi. I'm thinking maybe Cragar SS rims 15x5 on the front and 15X8 on the rear with a drag radial. What do you guys think? Forgot to mention I will use a factory Turbo 350 passenger car converter.

[1980RS]

In the near future I plan to build a 1970 el Camino black or blue with factory type black stripes. I will build a 496 with GM oval port heads, 228/238 @ .050 111 LS hyd roller, Mahle pistons, 6.385 rod, Performer RPM air gap with the cowl induction hood. Also I will use a old school Moroso deep pan just like the El camino I remember as a kid. I plan to use a Turbo 475 with a 12 bolt with a 2.56 gear and a Eaton posi. I'm thinking maybe Cragar SS rims 15x5 on the front and 15X8 on the rear with a drag radial. What do you guys think? Forgot to mention I will use a factory Turbo 350 passenger car converter.

Looks like you got bit by the high gear bug from the guy on the Chevelle site. Sounds like an 11 sec. car to me. I would use the Vette 12" turbo 350 converter as it's stall speed was 2400 behind a SBC.

[F-BIRD'88]

Other than the gearz it looks great..
I would use a Gear Venders OD (1:.78) and 3.55's.

Effectivily 2.76:1 when in Over Drive.

The GV OD also allows you to split gears ,doubling the number of forward gears.

I would use 70 series 15" radials front and back
and a 60 series M/T Drag Radial for track days.
P255-60-15. M/T #3452

The 70 series street radials are a lil taller, fill the wheel wells and create a much nicer ride on Chevelles, El Caminos etc. You will have your 2.56 effectivily.
Don't forget to box in the lower control arms and Air Lift air bags. ..

I used to get 2500-2600 max stall from a th350 oem 12" torque converter behind my various 454 oval port big blocks. (68 Chevelle SS). The 496 may see a hair more.

[Chris_Hamilton]

Vortec Pro, could you explain the reasoning behind using 2.56 gears?

[vortecpro]

Vortec Pro, could you explain the reasoning behind using 2.56 gears?

Ok, when you have 620 plus HP and 640 plus TQ with a 228.@ 050 cam and 500 inches and live in a 29.30 baro, this makes for a situation a stock GM Turbo pass car converter with a Turbo 475 and a 2.56 gear in a 3800 pound car will be a absolute joy to drive anywhere with out a touchy power bandit OD trans, the Turbo 475 is the ultimate in reliability. Power on the street will be linear, and I know it will run 11.50 min at the track going through in 2nd gear. The only problem I will to use older GM gears to get this done. I will buy a frame off restored El Camino for the starting point of this project, to save time, slide my rearend and trans and engine in there and be done. Heres an example only with Cragar SS wheels added. Example:

[vortecpro]

A friend of mine did this first time out with his 496 70 Monte Carlo, stock converter, 2.56 gear, 228 @ .050 cam, 578 HP 496 600 TQ, on BFG radials @ 4275 pounds, he built the engine himself along with the head work, shows great potential with the 2.00 sec 60 foot while trying to maintain traction on the street tires. Ran 12.29 @ 116.45 at a 900 foot track.
https://youtu.be/-71GDkGOZoI

[F-BIRD'88]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

[lefty o]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

well it aint a 1/4 mile, but obviously its 900'!

[DCal]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

About 360 tunnelrams

[FC-Pilot]

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

[aak14]

Now that is a docile, fun cruiser that can run some quick times.

If I were to order an engine from Vortecpro for a similar built, I would use the Isky 280 mega (hydraulic) cam cut on a 112 --114 on the correct core, with NOS hydraulic lifters, break it in properly, and let it purr like my reliable 2004 Toyota Tacoma, minus the annoying noise of hydraulic roller lifters that sound like a bunch of marbles shaking in an aluminum can.

Not a right/wrong question, but simple preference

[Mr.L-88]

A friend of mine did this first time out with his 496 70 Monte Carlo, stock converter, 2.56 gear, 228 @ .050 cam, 578 HP 496 600 TQ, on BFG radials @ 4275 pounds, he built the engine himself along with the head work, shows great potential with the 2.00 sec 60 foot while trying to maintain traction on the street tires. Ran 12.29 @ 116.45 at a 900 foot track.
https://youtu.be/-71GDkGOZoI

I was just discussing this car with a buddy this weekend. We were impressed that he used the VortecPro videos as a guide to port his heads. Really cool car.

[strokersix]

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]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

I sure have fun with you guys........first pass down the track with new engine

[vortecpro]

How long is a 900 foot ¼ mile?

well it aint a 1/4 mile, but obviously its 900'!

And here you go........best pass of the day after new engine install