What Engine Should We Build Next?

i always tote v8 power but 4cylinders = less friction.=more power.

i thaught about getting my hands on one of those ford svo turbo coupes, but there still out of my price range.
and i don't know anything about the tech speck on that motor. or what i can do with it beyond a diferent cam, or more boost.  

How about a BUICK 350 ('68-early '80's)?

The blocks are MUCH stronger than the Buick 455. The block is fully skirted and has been run up to 1000hp (with F1 supercharger) WITHOUT girdles (though a girdle after 700hp wouldn't be a bad idea).

The STOCK heads can be ported to 280cfm at .600 on the intake (I forget the exhaust #'s).

The distributor is mounted in the front, so firewall clearence is NOT an issue.

It is essentially a Buick  RWD V6 (early '60's through late '80's in everything from jeeps, chevrolets, pontiacs and caddilacs... 225, 231, and 252 ci) with two more cylinders. With the use of buick v6 engine mounts bolted to it, the Buick 350 can drop right in any application where the Buick RWD V6 was.

So, take a Regal with a V6, and rather than dropping in a chebby 350 or other engine, with all the incurred fabrication.. Just buy new set of v6 mounts from NAPA for $20 and bolt the BUICK 350 right up.

Just check out what some of the people are doing in the smallblock sections of www.v8buick.com or www.bpgforums.com from twin turbo kits, single plane intakes, chevy roller rocker conversions, etc. All of these things done by people on their own.

The Buick 350 can be found dirt cheap almost everywhere, because people wrongly concider it as a "boat anchor".. Giving them, or even throwing them away when they drop a weak-block 455 into their cars.

This engine has nearly zero support form the "established aftermarket" save for a few cams, aluminum intakes(dual plane only), overpriced roller rockers, and aluminum valve covers. So, a HI-PO build would not be easy, requiring much innovation (such as used chevy NASCAR Lentz rods off ebay and custom pistons).

There are no forged pistons, no aftermarket rods, No "cast" aluiminum single palne intakes (there are ones for other app's being cut and put back together for us and ones being fabbed), there are no aluminum heads, and there are no roller cams (as of this writing).

The only single plane intakes available are fabricated by Mark Burton of Burton Machine in Washington (also responsible for the turbo kits and affordable chevy roller rocker conversions) and gsjhonny, from v8buick and the bpg websites. GSJhonny has taken single plane intakes for other makes and cut them up, machining them, and putting them back together to fit the Buick.

Maybe its time you give the "little guy" his 15 minutes of fame.

Maybe in turn, we will get the aftermarket attention and support we so dearly deserve.

Give the Ford, Chevy, Mopar smallblocks a rest.  

I agree with you that small blocks have been done to death. But, it's buy far, the most common engine out there. although, it's every hot rodders dream to own a fender shaking big block, it's little brother has been known to beat him from time to time. With that said, I vote for another shootout! "small block, vs  big block" (chevy that is, Sorry, ford)with a price cap of six grand. Now I know it's not fair to the big block but, lets be realistic, not everyone has the money to build a big block so, build both of them and have another shootout. No matter what engine wins the decision, try to keep it simple to follow. A lot of people including me, use these articles and follow the builds for our own engines. Dont disappoint us, will be watching closely!  

How about posting the real power pulls for the BES racing 400 SBC for this year, instead of the SAM 351 Cleaveland pulls from last year. And please sir, can you all do an article on this years BES engine to show what was done differently from last year?  

455 BUICK WITH FUEL INJECTION PLEASE!!  

Not everyone has a couple grand to throw into an engine. With that said, I would like to see Popular Hot Rodding do an article for the little guys. Their is alot of people out there who want to build a strong motor but cant afford it, But that dose'nt mean they wont try. This is the oppurtunity to reach out to the "average joe" engine builder and give them the old twist of the arm that motivates them into doing it. My suggestion is this! Take factory chevy engines-350/454-and keep it simple with just a block prep and a stroker kit and replace the rest of the factory parts. It is a great way to get more peoplr into this hobby we love so much not to mention bring up sales on magazines with the new customers that will follow.  

What about an Olds 350 diesel based block, with one of the stroker set ups?  I think they have them up to 450ish c.i.d. now! I'd look at using the Rocket Racing or the Mondello top end and rev it!!!  Why not? It'd be cool and might surprise a few people with what it made hp wise!  

I'd like to see a budget build of a mopar 360 LA engine,using stock heads with some porting and larger valves, also retaining hydraulic lifters.  

I would like to see some "back yard" type BBC builds.  Most readers can't afford the typical published "Budget Build" of $5000.  I say start simple....take a stock carbureted 454ci....dyno it....then test dyno the immediate affordable hp gain upgrades. ie..what do headers with a 2.5" and/or 3" exhaust do hp gain wise, which is better for torque or top end speed.  Also other cheap "local classified ad purchased" upgrades....headers, different stock/bolt-on heads pulled from another vehicle, intake manifolds...which is better for stock engines, etc...

I think this would appeal to more readers.  Especially in this economy....more and more people are shopping in the used market then in the "new or professionally machined" market.  There's allot of forums on the net filled with average blue collar guys trying to help his fellow "Can't afford to have it done so I'm going to try to do it myself".  Their sharing what knowledge they've learned along the way.  Why can't that be here?  

i think you should do something on the weekend warrior. you would build a motor that runs low 12's or so and you can drive the car to and from the track and cruise to car shows and be a nice streetable but decently fast motor. maybe do a motor beside a chevrolet and due it within a certin budget.  

Hey I would like to see a mopar 400 build. I know they are a smog engine but there seems to be a growing in aftermarket parts for these engines. I know 440 and 383 heads interchange  but what works well in a 400 combo?? Mabey you could comapare it to a 408 smallblock stroker?
 I would really like to see a small block stroker compared to a big block  of equal cubic inch. I know there is a lot you can do there.
Thanks for the great mag!  

something slightly different...   i agree about the economy motor...

but several versions...

there are tons of guys and a few gals running 305 chevys , 350 chevys, 302 fords, 351 winsors, 318 and 360 mopars..

each motor requires slightly different tuning.. for best part throttle  drivability 1000 to 4000 rpms.... and fuel economy... running the dyno like a smog test.. changing the rpm and load for a drive cycle that can be followed by each motor tested..

it could be done on a dyno with wide band O2 sensors... then dropped in a car for final testing..

since most people drive their cars daily.. and have mostly stock heads...

so most of it would be cam, lifters and timing chain sets...    seeing what the distributer  advance changes do to the fuel economy..  so knock sensors might be a good idea for the dyno... to prevent damage during dyno runs...

what leads me to this... is that over the years i have been repairing cars. rebuilding motors.. doing feedback carbs and fuel injection repairs..   i got terrible results with stock replacement cams...   other cams just were too much... i have lost the cam card on the last one i got.. but i found that when i put in a H230 grind from  joey out american cam grinding that customers got a ton better mileage and  had the little lump they were looking for..  one 396 i put it in... idled at 17 " of vacuum at idle in drive.. a 351W that i put it in... went from 11 mpg to 17..  in a van, loaded to 6800lbs that got driven over 200 miles a day... in the 360 dodge in a 11 passenger van..  they got over 100 more miles before they had to refill it.. i did lower the primary needles a bit on the thermoquad..  it's just an idea...   and if a lot of people get better mileage with more power...  thats popular hotrodding to the max...

many people don't realize that above idle fuel mixtures on carb motors run on the idle transition ports up to about 2000 rpm...  and it contributes to fuel economy or lack of a ton... anybody ever have a flat spot off idle that would not go away..   examine the idle feed restrictions...  they don't just affect the idle mixture.. they limit the amount of fuel fed to the idle transition ports..   too lean... too rich...  sure makes a difference.. off idle..  

I really think the sbc or sbf is the way to go. Smaller displacement; making big block power, now that is building. We know the big blocks to make power,easy. Try sbc 280 ci making big power without sending it out of this solar system. Now thats a challenge.  

How about anything except another chevy... I have dumped all my chevy stuff except one 396 that I am keeping but it would be nice to see more Fords and Mopar stuff.. especially the Big Block Ford 460. This engine is a screamer when done right.  

way over done and there are better engines then the sbc...it can only be done so many times... i would rather see the newer L6 converted to naturally aspirated before the old chev