Shortblock or rebuild?

[sir2much]

I am looking to buy shortblock and i have been looking at various companies like DSS, but i dont know if it would be worth the money or to spend all the time and have the block rebuilt and bored. the DSS block comes assembled, balanced and bored right out of the box. it is the 306 level 10 block with the pro-x kit. if i went this route what would be a good head/intake/cam setup.

[lowflyn]

It depends on what your final goals for the car is. If you are just wanting a good dd and not all that worried about track, I'd say rebuild a factory shortblock. If you are looking for alot of power, I'd go dss if it was me.

[bullitt482]

If you got a 302 based block, atleast go with a higher displacement such as a 331 or a 347. I would think some AFR(Airflow Research) 185's, or 205's depending on how high you rev it, with a Trickflow Track Heat intake, a custom ground cam, and a good set of long tubes, with an MSD ignition, and a good dyno tune. Another thing that would help us help you would be whether you decide to go Nitrous, Supercharged, or Turbocharged. That would also determine what kind of heads to go with.

[sir2much]

Quote: Originally Posted by bullitt482 If you got a 302 based block, atleast go with a higher displacement such as a 331 or a 347. I would think some AFR(Airflow Research) 185's, or 205's depending on how high you rev it, with a Trickflow Track Heat intake, a custom ground cam, and a good set of long tubes, with an MSD ignition, and a good dyno tune. Another thing that would help us help you would be whether you decide to go Nitrous, Supercharged, or Turbocharged. That would also determine what kind of heads to go with.

nitrous 100-150shot

[bullitt482]

Definately go with a 347 and some AFR 205's. Make sure that when you get a cam spec'd, something I'd do before you order the shortblock, I'd let DSS or whoever you order it from to flycut the pistons for clearance. Nitrous makes a big cam act smaller, so you'll need a bigger cam than most would get for natural aspirated and forced induction engines. Call Comp Cams, Lunati, or another popular cam company, they'd help you spec a cam out no problem. I'm recommending these things as if you were making it mostly weekend racer/driver. If it were a daily driver, I'd just tone everything down a bit.


Oh and if you are getting all this stuff, it'd be good for a 200-250 with some race fuel and a tune. You'd definately be knocking on 9's with supporting equipment for the motor.

[sir2much]

Quote: Originally Posted by bullitt482 Definately go with a 347 and some AFR 205's. Make sure that when you get a cam spec'd, something I'd do before you order the shortblock, I'd let DSS or whoever you order it from to flycut the pistons for clearance. Nitrous makes a big cam act smaller, so you'll need a bigger cam than most would get for natural aspirated and forced induction engines. Call Comp Cams, Lunati, or another popular cam company, they'd help you spec a cam out no problem. I'm recommending these things as if you were making it mostly weekend racer/driver. If it were a daily driver, I'd just tone everything down a bit. Oh and if you are getting all this stuff, it'd be good for a 200-250 with some race fuel and a tune. You'd definately be knocking on 9's with supporting equipment for the motor.

Thanks for all of the info bullitt!!! I am kind of a novice in the whole racing thing, but am learning a whole bunch from people, magazines and a little hands-on. I have been going to a local dragstrip for the past couple of years, too.

All of this stuff will be obtained in strides and wont be put in until it is all here. it will be somewhat of a daily driver, but i am willing to make a lot of sacrifices to own my town (there is a track 50mi away.)

There are just too many f-bodys where i live and i need to put them in their place. I am selling my lightning to my buddy, so i will have some extra cash to throw around.

[bullitt482]

Anytime.

[bbunt302]

If it's going to be somewhat of a daily driver, go with the 185s. They will be plenty for a 347 with a cam that's going to be anywhere near streetable. I would only put the 205s with such a small displacement motor if it was going to be turning some serious RPMs (7k+).

[bullitt482]

Quote: Originally Posted by bullitt482 I would think some AFR(Airflow Research) 185's, or 205's depending on how high you rev it...

Hello. I already said that........ Douchebag




























JFWY

[bbunt302]

Quote: Originally Posted by bullitt482 Definately go with a 347 and some AFR 205's.

[bullitt482]

Only because he was ganna spray it :P

[MonteCitan]

I have the DSS 331 short block, I have nothing but good to say about it

Its just as streetable as a 302 would be, even with my low compression motor (for future boost) it's got torque and HP comparable to a boosted 302

[silverstangboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by bbunt302 If it's going to be somewhat of a daily driver, go with the 185s. They will be plenty for a 347 with a cam that's going to be anywhere near streetable. I would only put the 205s with such a small displacement motor if it was going to be turning some serious RPMs (7k+).

i'd have to dissagree here, if you go with the big heads 205 you can go with a smaller cam and make just as much low end torque or even more than a small headed 347 with a really large cam. Ahem :specifically if its custom ground:

back to the question at hand, either build an early block 302 yourself and make sure you use a VERY reputable shop, or get a shortblock from CHP, DSS.. the latemodel blocks are very thin, I just don't trust them without the use of some very high dollar equipment to get everything right.

[bbunt302]

Just remember, big heads with big ports = less air velocity. Less air velocity = less bottom-end and mid-range.

I'm just the kinda guy that would gladly trade an extra 20hp up top for a good healthy bottom end.

[silverstangboy]

to put it in perspective look at the chevy LS1

now those guys have 346 cubes from the factory...
they also come with 205cc aluminum heads from the factory
I don't see them complaining about not having any low-end.

I went with 185's because my 331 is a wee-bit smaller than a 347

im not calling you out man, because if you don't know just about as much as I do on the subject then you know more than me (and its probably the latter)
its just that none of the custom cam guys are going small heads and if I was going that route (which I am) I would go with what they suggest