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8 second smallblock

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 11 11:16 am
by Jon Connolly
I know there are a few in USA now

But will we ever see one here ??

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 11 1:35 pm
by MrNorm
I don't see why not, the parts are out there now to build one without getting crazy - R3 blocks, stroker cranks to get up to 500ci :shock:, Prochargers or turbos, or pick up ex Nascar or Pro Stock truck engines with very exotic parts for cheap. There are many ways to skin that cat.
None cheap, but for similar money people spend on BB's.

Hell someone posted a stock block 360 running 8's in a Duster yesterday!!

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 11 2:04 pm
by Jon Connolly
Hi Gavin

I was curious so phoned the guy up. Nothing fancy with that Duster


360 truck block motorplated
blok filler leaving 1/2 water jacket
forged crank / rods / pistons
14 / 1 cr
275 hp nos
1050 dominator
w5 ( or was it w3 ? ) alli heads ported
4500 stall convertor
fibreglass front end
launching at 4000 rpm
nitrous delay of 1/10 sec

That`s in a pretty heavy car .. says it goes 9.0 / 9.1 all day long on a 250 hp hit.


That ex-Nascar stuff looks cheap until you look at everything else you need; trans adaptor plates, custom parts etc and the 8000 revs they like is going to kill it

Same with the R3 / R5 stuff, a bit expensive and nearly all 48 deg

I reckon 59 degree LA block based is the way to go



:thumbright:

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 11 2:19 pm
by MrNorm
Yes, I agree the ex-Nascar or PST stuff looks cheap until you need all the other stuff, not the best approach IMHO. But you could use some of the parts, even the heads etc.

But I'd say the best approach would be to go for a stroker, those W5 heads are good and can go to well over 300cfm (340 +) and there are other head options too. Not sure I'd want to risk a stock block (but obviously can be done, just not sure how long it will last!), but the repo 340 block is 59 degree and could handle the power I understand. I thought you could get R3 in 59 as well?

I kinda like the Ron Silva approach - 501ci SB for a street car, dunno what he has run yet but 9's 4 sure......but that was an EXPENSIVE engine...

(Of course this is all bench racing for me - I'd like to just have a car on the road for a start!!)

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 11 2:32 pm
by Pete
All it needs is the will to do it and the cash > over to you Jon :thumbright:

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 11 7:32 pm
by TrevD
i think we all need to say no so it gives Jon a challenge :D but i said yer cos it a possibility

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 11 7:54 pm
by Anonymous
Mmmm...recon you can do it with a SBF Jon :lol:

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 4:12 pm
by Les Szabo
Yes yours I reckon :)

I seem to remember in the late 80's a swede ran a smallblock into the 8's at 1 of the Gary's Pinic events.... if they could do it then......

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 5:50 pm
by Mick
Wallace calc says a 2500 car would need 700 hp at the crank, presuming a well sorted chassis.
So Jon, your 490 hp motor + your 250 hp nos system should get it done.
Mick :thumbright:

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 7:33 pm
by Jon Connolly
Blimey, put myself on the spot here

:oops:

Will give it a go ... using a 10.5 tyre on a 9.25 rim and jetted it for 210 hp gross.

Will give it a couple of goes on petrol first to try and get the new rear shocks set up

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 8:54 pm
by Cannonball
Mick wrote:Wallace calc says a 2500 car would need 700 hp at the crank, presuming a well sorted chassis.
So Jon, your 490 hp motor + your 250 hp nos system should get it done.
Mick :thumbright:
you just tied yourself in a know mick,

this car will have the power and the low weight to run a 8 but not the chassis,

my challenger went 9.44 146 mph and weights in at 3,900 all up
the car launches ok and drives fine in 1st shift second and the car drives the long way round SCARY shift top and the car straightens up,
thats a 10.5 car and leaf springs, stock front suspension,
basicaly the same deal as jons car, now i dont know if caltacs will make the car run straighter than my leaf springs, but i doubt the chassis will cope

BUT I HOPE IT DOES GOOD LUCK,,,,,,,,,

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 9:00 pm
by Jon Connolly
I think you`re right Dunc

Chassis is pretty much on its limits now .. that`s why I`m building the tube chassis 4 link Daytona


I think this will run a best of 9.6 if everything goes ok

Posted: Sat May 21, 11 10:59 pm
by Mick
be interesting to see how it copes with all that power, i think you'll definitely move up the fast list.
Paul Mander's car would have been a good chassis for it.
Mick :thumbright:
Duncan, stop following me around :)

Posted: Sun May 22, 11 12:00 am
by Cannonball
Mick wrote:be interesting to see how it copes with all that power, i think you'll definitely move up the fast list.
Paul Mander's car would have been a good chassis for it.
Mick :thumbright:
Duncan, stop following me around :)
sorry bout that mick. :lol: :lol:

i think you car could go 9.2 -5s no more jon hope it does,

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 11 2:54 pm
by Les Szabo
any update Jon how it faired with the 210hp?